Title – Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)

Director – Mark Molloy (feature debut) 

Cast – Eddie Murphy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Taylour Paige, Kevin Bacon, Judge Reinhold

Plot – Returning from Detroit to his old stomping ground of Beverly Hills, smart talking and quick thinking detective Axel Foley (Murphy) is back on the case of a complicated conspiracy that will require help from new and old colleagues alike.  

“Trust me, I know better”

Review by Eddie on 24/07/2024

Marking both the directional debut of Australian born Mark Molloy and the return of the Beverly Hills Cop franchise after a 30 year hiatus brought on by the cold reception of the forgettable part 3 in 1994, Netflix release Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is a surprisingly tolerable new entry into the Eddie Murphy lead franchise that captures the 80’s essence that made the first two Beverly Hills Cop films such well-liked action comedies. 

Bringing back Eddie Murphy’s fast-talking and quick thinking Axel Foley, who once more finds himself in Beverly Hills investigating a shady case, dealing with his now adult daughter Jane, teaming up with Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s straight laced cop Bobby Abbott and getting himself caught in all manner of hijinks, Axel F doesn’t do anything unexpected or anything outstandingly well but there’s a joyous vibe to most of the proceedings here, making this one of the better Eddie Murphy backed features in some time. 

Thankfully leagues better than Murphy and Netflix’s team up on the Coming to America series and surely more likely to be regarded by regular viewers than the divisive You People, Axel F is a quick-moving and carefree experience that manages to provide some fun set pieces to go alongside with Murphy’s hyperactive antics and while the films quiet moments and rather ho-hum plot certainly don’t help the films cause a great deal, there’s enough runs being put on the board across the films 2 hour running time to ensure fans of the series are going to be content. 

Featuring the likes of returning cast members such as Paul Reiser and Judge Reinhold, countless throwbacks and quips related directly to past events and even a soundtrack that manages to infuse some of the old films classic tunes, Axel F does an adequate job at balancing the old with the new, ensuring that those wanting to be taken back to the glory days will find material to consume, while those Netflix browsers and modern day viewers that might not have ever partaken in previous Foley adventures will get an entertaining Netflix offering to fill their time.  

In reality a film that didn’t need to exist but one that also manages to be far better than it had any right to be on paper, Axel F may not add substantial weight to the Beverly Hills Cop legacy but it gives us hope for future Murphy comedic ventures whether based off past wins or original ideas, while Aussie Molloy does enough here to suggest he can carve himself out a nice career in the Hollywood landscape. 

Final Say – 

There’s nothing outstanding or overly memorable to be found here but Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is a fun new addition to the long dormant series and a reminder to us all that there’s still gas in the Murphy tank as it stands. 

3 helicopter rides out of 5