Is 'Axel F' the best 'Beverly Hills Cop' movie? Reviews shed light on franchise's revival attempt
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA: Fans waited for 30 years to get the fourth installment of 'Beverly Hills Cop'. There were several moments when the repeated production delays left us wondering if the franchise ended with its third part, released in 1994.
However, the film has sailed through tough waters and finally sees the light of day. Released digitally on July 3, 2024, 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' brings back the nostalgia of the 80s and 90s as Eddie Murphy returns in his role of Axel Foley with several members of the OG cast accompanying him.
Mark Molloy, in his directorial debut, takes on the huge responsibility of withholding the legacy while offering a refreshing take to keep up with today's time.
'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' opens to mixed reviews from critics
'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' rides on the nostalgia factor, taking viewers back to the era of the 80s. The film's ability to retain the franchise's essence has garnered it love and appreciation from several critics and fans.
The Telegraph gave a stellar 4-star rating to the "almost-faithful recreation of the original’s unreconstructed idiocy" while adding that "Murphy’s comedy is stuck in the 80s – and that’s fine."
Pete Hammond from Deadline praised Eddie Murphy, commenting that "even if that 22 year old is now 63, he is still on the beat and doesn’t miss a beat all these years later in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, almost seeming to have stopped time with this character who is just as funny, sharp and entertaining as ever."
But the nostalgia factor isn't enough for many who expected something more out of the latest installment that took thirty years to materialize.
Unimpressed with the film, Owen Gleiberman from Variety wrote that it "might tickle your nostalgia bone — but, of course, the difference between then and now is that in the 40 years since “Beverly Hills Cop,” there have been 400 action comedies spun out of these same tropes. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is just one more of them."
Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian gives it a 2-star, adding, "There’s something a bit tired and formulaic" in the latest installment.
Why 'Axel F' may not surpass the success of the first film of the franchise
'Beverly Hills Cop', released in 1984, is undoubtedly one of the best works of Eddie Murphy. The instant blockbuster garnered him international fame and opened the way for new and exciting opportunities.
The success of the 1984 film also made path for the sequels, released in 1987 and 1994. While the sequels were exciting in their own capacity, they failed to replicate the success of the first part.
After a gap of 30 years, Eddie Murphy and other cast members returned with the same formula, hoping to hit the bull's eye. But they might have missed the mark.
So, much time has passed and we can't deny that there are plenty of action comedies on Netflix and other streaming platforms that are baked in the same molds.
Fans are already tired of seeing Kevin Hart in repetitive roles in Netflix movies and the release of Murphy's film on Netflix may not be able to charm the young and new audience who are unbothered about the film's legacy.
How to stream 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F'?
'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' features Eddie Murphy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kevin Bacon, Taylour Paige, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, and Paul Reiser.
The film is available to stream exclusively on Netflix.
'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' trailer