Fans are shouting from the rooftops at just how good the new Beverly Hills Cop movie is, but some critics have complained Eddie Murphy’s latest is all a bit old-fashioned and has ‘nothing to say’. What do you think?
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Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F teased in trailer from Netflix
Eddie Murphy’s hugely anticipated Beverly Hills Cop 4 finally landed on Netflix this week, and has been greeted by a tidal wave of love and laughter from fans.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F sees the return of the fast-talking, street-smart Detroit detective who first appeared in the stellar 1984 original film, which spawned two sequels in 1987 and 1994.
This new movie, directed by Mark Molloy, has our hero returning to Beverly Hills after a conspiracy lands his daughter (played by Zola Star Taylour Paige) in danger. Axel teams up with her and new partner Detective Bobby Abbott (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) to get to the truth with a little help from old friends Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and John Taggart (John Ashton).
Beverly Hills Cop was Eddie Murphy’s first box office hit after he made his name appearing as a cast member of Saturday Night Live. The first flick follows Axel as he travels to California to investigate the murder of his childhood friend Mikey.
Let’s take a look at how the new film has gone down with both fans and critics:
‘The heat is definitely back on’
With a 6.8 rating on IMDb and a 78 per cent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes – but a critic’s score of 67 per cent – Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F has certainly proved divisive.
Empire awarded it three stars, saying: “All involved have done a solid job in executing what most fans likely want from a very belated Beverly Hills Cop sequel. This is not an action movie with the slickness or invention to take on any current blockbuster franchise. It’s cheerfully old-fashioned and easy. It feels like you should be popping open a VHS case to watch it.”
IGN enjoyed it, saying: “With a tone consistent with the original trilogy, a straightforward premise that creates space for fresh faces without disrespecting the main character, and a well-paced mix of comedy, action, and silky smooth synth riffs, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is a highly watchable return to form for Eddie Murphy. The heat is definitely back on.”
However, the Independent were less enthused, giving it just two stars and saying it “failed to get with the times … The film has the confidence to poke fun at the franchise’s infamously bad third entry, yet comes to the table with nothing to prove, nothing to say, and nothing for Murphy to work with.”
The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney was more ruthless, writing: “The shortage of fresh perspective, the absence of excitement and the slavishness with which the filmmakers stick to the original formula in one unimaginative action sequence after another makes the sequel seem past its expiration date.”
‘Good laughs, great action, and a killer soundtrack’
But viewers were quick to sing the movie’s praises on X, formerly known as Twitter:
Tom Willis posted: “It brings me great pleasure to report that Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F ain’t no banana in the tailpipe. It’s the real deal and a hilarious nostalgia trip.”
Paul-B Loves Movies said: “I loved Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. So much retro fun. I adore the original trilogy. I grew up on them; very special movies to me. Can’t beat the old skool heroes taking over again. Would have loved this at the cinema. Bring on more!”
Bill Bria: ” An absolute delight from start to finish. Some solid action, but it’s the characters/cast and laughs that are the biggest draw here, with everyone getting a fantastic moment to shine. All this, plus one of the best scores of the year. Pure summer bliss.”
Dave Baldwin: “(It’s a) whole lot of fun for fans and newbies alike. Yes it hits all those expected nostalgic beats, but it also packs in some solid action and plenty of laughs. Eddie Murphy back in his element as the legendary #AxelF is a joy to watch.”
Jon Bridges: “At this point I have not seen any other Beverly Hills Cop films and without all that context I still had a good time!”
heavynuggets: “Just finished Beverly Hill Cop: Axel F and… I (really) loved it. BHC has always been one of my favourites, and this one didn’t disappoint. Eddie Murphy cooks. Good laughs, great action, and a killer soundtrack. I hope they make another one.”
‘This brought a tear of joy to my eyes’
Emotional fans swamped YouTube after viewing the film’s trailer, with many genuinely moved by seeing the old gang reunited.
@Andrewb830: “I’m not gonna lie I wasn’t excited for this but, the trailer is giving me the feels. It is promising big action and I can’t wait.”
@remychase: “Billy speaks for all of us – God, I missed you, Axel.”
@TheDaexiled1: “Foley, Rosewood, and Taggart back together on the 40th anniversary of the movie, we the fans needed this.”
@Tessamullen: “It warms my heart seeing Judge Reinhold back.”
@kenjones102: “This brought a tear of joy to my eyes and I’m probably not alone in saying that.”
@extraleague01: “Gotta love Axel’s idea of getting police back-up by destroying properties and having the police chase you all the way to the real bad guys. That’s so Axel.”
@DaniMacYo: “Been way too long. Nothing like a Beverly Hills Cop movie.”
@Bilnation: “It actually looks good and it’s great to see the old Beverly Hills Cop crew back together again.”
@canaldanielchreem: “When the music hits and Murphy open his mouth i’m already sold.”
@bernardkam1534: “The late Kirk Douglas once said that his job as an actor was to make people forget about their problems for a couple of hours. Looks like this movie will deliver exactly that. That movie trailer makes me feel like I will be going on a fun-filled adventure with some long lost friends. Jeez, I need that right now. Welcome back Eddie and the Gang. It’s gonna be a lot of fun …”
@SheyD78: “Gotta say Eddie is looking good so many years later. Hope it doesn’t disappoint the fans.”
@reggae8273: “Hearing the Axel F theme and seeing them three together equals goosebumps.”
@sacul7694: “Yeah, my dad and I are going to watch for sure. Eddie Murphy was on top of the world back then with Beverly Hills Cop, The Golden Child, and Coming to America. Loved those movies. I think we wore out our VHS tapes watching them over and over.”
What did YOU make of the new Beverly Hills Cop movie? Let us know in the comments below
