With 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,' Eddie Murphy is back at home | Review

It could have easily had just been a trip down Memory Lane and in some respects, “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” is exactly that.

The titular character, Eddie Murphy’s fish-out-of-water Detroit cop, is a “foul-mouthed jerk from out of town” in this sequel that is streaming on Netflix exclusively.

But he has the benefit of 40 years on the force and fatherhood to temper him – just a little. The reasons for the success of three of the films in this series succeeding are all related to its star.

Despite working in law enforcement, there existed a rogue in Foley who tossed up his middle finger at convention. When Foley is allowed to be that “foul-mouthed jerk from out of town,” he is absolutely hilarious and down right subversive.

That is why Foley, verbally neutered in the better-left-in-the-cinematic graveyard “Beverly Hills Cop III,” was so loathed in that film.

Here he’s back kicking up trouble once again in SoCal. Despite his advanced years, he’s still a street cop working on unauthorized sting operations on his home turf.

We know that’s not going to last after he learns his estranged daughter, Jane (Taylor Paige) has been pulled into a situation involving a drug cartel, an overzealous DEA agent (Kevin Bacon) and, possibly, corrupt cops.

Yes, in the world of Axel Foley, this is familiar territory and there isn’t a lot in the way of surprises. Except at this stage of Murphy’s career, clawing through Foley’s brash surface is high on the list of priorities and we’re given fatherly nuances to appreciate.

When you’re a Detroit street cop, career comes first – or that’s at least how Jane sees it. Axel and his daughter are very much at odds even after he hops on a plane to rush to her side after she gets tied up in a case with Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold), who is now a private detective. Together they are making life complicated for Taggart (John Ashton), who is now chief of the Beverly Hills Police Department, who is forced to acknowledge there’s something rotten in local law enforcement.

Along for the ride: Det. Bobby Abbott (Gordon-Levitt), Jane’s would-be, could-be cop boyfriend. It’s not difficult to predict the path “Axel F” will take.

Some might even argue that it’s unnecessary, that doesn’t take into account that watching Murphy work when he’s at the top of his game provides plenty of laughs and he drops right into Foley’s persona as if he’s slipping on a pair of comfortable Nikes.

The chemistry evident in the first two films remains while Murphy continues to display impeccable comedic instincts and timing. He and Paige play extremely well off one another.

Give director Mark Molloy, helming his first feature, credit. He understands what the draw is for the film and basically gets out of the way.

George M. Thomas dabbles in film and television for the Beacon Journal.

Review

Movie: “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F”

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Joseph Gordon-Leavitt, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton

Directed by:  Mark Molloy

Running time:  1 hour 55 minutes

Rated: R for language throughout, violence and brief drug use

Grade: B-

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: With 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,' Eddie Murphy is back at home | Review