Assessment by Brian Lowry, CNN
(CNN) — “Beverly Hills Cop” spawned a trio of films, however extra considerably, the 1984 movie capped off a string of hits (after “48 Hrs.” and “Buying and selling Locations”) that launched Eddie Murphy into the movie-star stratosphere. As Murphy strikes into the encores-for-streaming section of his profession (see “Coming 2 America”), enter “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” which options sufficient unapologetic nostalgia (cue the music) to energy via its flat spots.
The truth that the movie is premiering through Netflix, versus theaters, would possibly warrant some second-guessing given the box-office numbers that the most recent “Dangerous Boys” sequel has delivered, however that’s a debate for an additional day. From the get-go, the star seems as much as the duty as he slides again into a task to which he stated goodbye 30 years in the past, and launched a decade earlier than that.
As with “Coming 2 America,” “Alex F” makes use of a next-generation hook to get into the story and create the excuse to deliver Murphy’s Axel Foley from Detroit (after an introductory motion sequence that goes on a bit too lengthy) again to Beverly Hills, reuniting him with plenty of acquainted faces.
On this case, he’s summoned by Billy (Choose Reinhold) to assist Axel’s estranged daughter, Jane (Taylour Paige, who adopted “Hit the Ground” with “Zola” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Backside”), a lawyer representing a consumer who has triggered a warning to again off from some very unhealthy individuals.
Earlier than you’ll be able to say “Get the f—ok outta right here” (which is, not surprisingly, stated a number of instances), Axel lands in L.A., cheerfully insisting, “They love me in Beverly Hills!”
Staying on model, he rapidly irks the native authorities as he units about defending Jane, whereas working afoul of a corrupt detective performed by Kevin Bacon (certainly one of two films through which he seems this week, the opposite being “MaXXXine”).
Axel additionally will get teamed up with a youthful cop (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who has some historical past with Jane, though frankly – aside from “Saturday Evening Dwell” alum Nasim Pedrad’s hilarious cameo as a Beverly Hills realtor – the newcomers don’t stand a lot of an opportunity to register as holdovers like Paul Reiser, Bronson Pinchot and John Ashton be a part of Reinhold in dropping by.
In maybe the wisest (and best) resolution, first-time characteristic director Mark Molloy depends closely on music related to the unique films, from Harold Faltermeyer’s digital rating to songs like “The Warmth is On” and “Neutron Dance,” augmented by a brand new one from Lil Nas X.
Within the early going, a youthful colleague in Detroit factors out that Axel continues to hit the streets at a time when “guys your age” are transitioning to desk jobs, which principally spells out the formulation right here, and the way Murphy successfully carries off the identical mentality as his alter ego.
“Axel F” solely turns up the warmth to a low simmer, however as breezy escapism goes, these armed with the right angle would possibly discover themselves doing the neutron dance, or a model of it, yet again.
“Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” premieres July 3 on Netflix. It’s rated R.
The-CNN-Wire
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