AXEL F ON NETFLIX SHOWS THAT EDDIE MURPHY CAN STILL BE THE SMART ALECK COP WE LOVE

Nostalgia is a big thing no matter how old you are. When we see something that reminds of “the good old days” it warms our hearts and makes us long for a time long gone. Movies and certain characters can have that affect when they presented properly. Recently, Ghostbusters and Top Gun brought us back to the 80s in the best ways possible. When I saw that Netflix was going to go back and bring us Axel Foley in a new movie I was excited to see what they could do. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is another vessel to take us back to before cell phones and the internet and how a brash cop from Detroit can handle being in Beverly Hills for the 4th time.

The movie starts with another typical day for Axel Foley played by Eddie Murphy. He’s still a detective on the streets even though he’s past time to be at a desk our maybe even retired. While he doesn’t move as quickly as he used to his wit and humor are still fully intact. He once again has to leave Detroit and head to Beverly Hills to help out his missing friend Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and Billy’s former partner John Taggert. To make it more interesting this time around we find out that Axel has a daughter that is a powerful attorney that is as quick witted as Axel is. Taylour Paige plays Jane Saunders who is estranged from her father but has a client that is tied up in whatever and whoever caused Billy to go missing. They must weave their way through procedural red tape and possibly crooked cops to get to the bottom of the case. Kevin Bacon plays a well-dressed police officer named Cade Grant that might be the key to the whole case. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a young BH cop that Axel teams up with as his investigation may also be linked.

Once again, this movie touches on the things we loved about the original movies through references and making fun of the elitest society in Beverly Hills. We get plenty of Axel and his barbed jokes at other’s expense along with a few well-placed cameos. The action still measures up to the 80s high speed car chases filled with the destructive ride that we’re all used to. What I like is that even someone as mischievous as Axel has to grow as a person and we get to see a softer side we weren’t shown in the first three movies. It’s been 30 years so he better have changed some. While this movie isn’t trying to win any Oscars, it is a ton of fun, and you still love how funny Eddie can be with this character. Paige is great as well as she comedically holds her ground playing opposite Murphy and deftly spars with him. Gordon Levitt as a mild-mannered but tough cop is a perfect foil for Axel’s wit and his continual bending of the rules. Definitely put it on your watch list and remember a time when you wouldn’t fall for a banana in the tailpipe.