80’s Crime Classic: Beverly Hills Cop Franchise
The First Film
Beverly Hills Cop is a 1984 American buddy cop action comedy film directed by Martin Brest, written by Daniel Petrie Jr. and starring Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, a street-smart Detroit cop who visits Beverly Hills, California to solve the murder of his best friend.
While in Beverly Hills, Lieutenant Andrew Bogomil (Ronny Cox) of the local precinct assigns Sergeant John Taggart (John Ashton) and Detective Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) to follow and supervise Axel on his visit in California. Together, the team is able to uncover a criminal drug trafficking conspiracy which was behind the death of Axel’s friend in Detroit.
The "Beverly Hills Cop" franchise, a cornerstone of 1980s cinema, catapulted Eddie Murphy to stardom and established itself as a pop culture phenomenon. The first two films of the franchise, "Beverly Hills Cop" (1984) and "Beverly Hills Cop II" (1987), perfectly encapsulate the era's blend of humor, action, and charismatic performances.
There are 3 films with the first two being substantially better than the third. The films are similar to Die Hard, where the villains are charismatic Eastern Europeans with fully fledged businesses usually involving some illicit activity either in drugs or weapons-dealing. They are always almost totally well established business people and socialites entrenched within Beverly Hills country clubs or communities. Axel, using a variety of disguises and themes is always able to find an angle to annoy whatever criminal he is investigating much to their annoyance.
The Soundtrack
The music in “Beverly Hills Cop” plays a pivotal role in enhancing the film's atmosphere and capturing the essence of its 1980s setting. Composed by Harold Faltermeyer, the iconic synth-driven score is instantly recognizable and has become synonymous with the film itself. The catchy electronic melodies infuse the movie with a sense of energy and excitement, perfectly complementing the fast-paced action sequences and comedic moments. The memorable “Axel F” theme, in particular, has achieved legendary status, serving as both an embodiment of Axel Foley's irreverent character and a representation of the film's era. This instrumental title tune has been covered by numerous artists.
The music's pulsating beats and nostalgic synth tones contribute to the film's overall appeal, helping to create a soundtrack that remains a quintessential part of the “Beverly Hills Cop” experience. The soundtrack was released on MCA Records and won the Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (1986). Faltermeyer also did the music in the second film which had tracks that were just as catchy as those in the first film. The sound mixing and quality of the soundtracks adds immeasurable depth to the intensity of different scenes in the film franchise, which include robberies, heists, gun shoot-outs, and more.
“Beverly Hills Cop II” (1987)
The sequel, “Beverly Hills Cop II,” directed by Tony Scott, retains the franchise's signature wit while amping up the stakes. This time, Axel Foley returns to Beverly Hills to unravel a series of high-stakes thefts linked to a weapons cache. The film leans into its successful formula, embracing the buddy-cop dynamic, adrenaline-pumping action sequences, and Murphy's comedic genius. While retaining the camaraderie between Foley and his fellow detectives, the film adds layers of intensity and suspense, providing a well-balanced mix of laughs and thrills. The addition of new characters, including Brigitte Nielsen's sultry villain, injects fresh dynamics into the narrative. "Beverly Hills Cop II" showcases Murphy's ability to seamlessly shift from humor to drama, cementing the franchise's reputation for versatile storytelling.
Axel returns to Beverly Hills, after finding out that Captain Andrew Bogomil (Ronny Cox) from the first film, was shot. He once again teams up with Rosewood and Taggart, who, reluctantly and against incompetent and verbally abusive Police Chief Harold Lutz's (Allen Garfield) orders, assist Foley to find the person responsible for Bogomil's shooting. Axel, Rosewood and Taggart soon discover that the alphabet crimes, a series of felonies (robberies and Bogomil's shooting) that have been going on in the area, are masterminded by weapons kingpin Maxwell Dent (Jürgen Prochnow). With this information, the trio set out to find Dent and his lover, Karla Fry (Brigitte Nielsen).
The second film stars Karla Fry (Brigitte Nielsen) as the second main antagonist in Beverly Hills Cop II. Karla works as a henchwoman for Maxwell Dent (Jurgen Prochnow). She is an experienced shooter, gun collector, and skilled thief. She is a remorseless killer and master of disguise. Karla is the perfect counter to Axel Foley in the second film, with an equal if not better skill of using disguises and improv to move along her objectives. Her presence in different scenes adds a strong aura of mystery as the audience tries to uncover her criminal plans. Operating at the side of Maxwell Dent, the two comprise an extremely charismatic criminal team.
Audience Reception
In 1984, "Beverly Hills Cop" achieved remarkable box office success by earning an impressive $234,760,478 in the United States, securing its place as the highest-grossing film of the year.
A New York Times article explains how the film shows Eddie Murphy doing what he does best: playing the shrewdest, hippest, fastest-talking underdog in a rich man's world. An opening montage establishes the ghetto origins of Axel Foley, the Detroit policeman whom Mr. Murphy plays. But Axel turns out to be much more at home in the posh California settings where most of the film takes place.
Through a repertoire of diverse tricks and street-smart maneuvers acquired from his experiences on the gritty streets of Detroit, Axel Foley consistently manages to outsmart not only the criminals he encounters but also the local law enforcement in Beverly Hills. His resourcefulness and quick thinking allow him to maintain a strategic advantage, remaining a step ahead in the intricate game of cat and mouse.
The second film received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 47% "rotten" rating, based on 34 reviews, with an average rating of 5.1/10. However, Beverly Hills Cop II grossed $153 million in the United States and Canada putting it in the top 5 biggest hits domestically at the box office that year, and grossed $276.5 million worldwide.
A Timeless Blend of Action and Laughter
The first two installments of the “Beverly Hills Cop” franchise endure as a testament to their era's cinematic charm. Eddie Murphy's charismatic performance as Axel Foley injects each film with an unmatched vibrancy, while the action-packed plots keep viewers riveted from start to finish. The films' synthesis of humor and suspense ensures an engaging and enjoyable experience, reminding audiences why these films continue to hold a special place in the hearts of moviegoers.
In retrospect, “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Beverly Hills Cop II” remain a delightful indulgence in nostalgia, a gateway to the bygone era of neon lights, synthesizer soundtracks, and a brash yet endearing hero. The franchise's enduring legacy is a testament to its ability to transcend time, inviting new generations to immerse themselves in the lively and thrilling world of Axel Foley.
