"Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" - Was the long wait worth it?
Axel Foley is back: In the Netflix film "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" (available on the streaming service from July 3rd), Eddie Murphy (63) once again dons the role of the Detroit cop who goes on a crime spree in Beverly Hills. This is the fourth installment in the series, following "Beverly Hills Cop" (1984), "Beverly Hills Cop II" (1987), and "Beverly Hills Cop III" (1994). In "Axel F," some stars from the previous films return, while new ones join in. Is it worth streaming?
About "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F"
Detective Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) travels to Beverly Hills again when the life of his daughter Jane (Taylour Paige, 33) is threatened. She is a lawyer who defends a young man and gets too close to a criminal ring. Foley's friend William "Billy" Rosewood (Judge Reinhold, 67) is also involved in the case and is in grave danger.
Besides Police returnee Chief John Taggart (John Ashton, 76), Foley has a new partner to help him solve the case: Detective Bobby Abbott (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 43), Jane's ex-boyfriend who works at the Beverly Hills Police Department. Axel, Bobby, John, and Jane work together under the watchful eye of Captain Cade Grant (Kevin Bacon, 65) to find out who is causing trouble in Beverly Hills.
The Returning Stars
Besides Eddie Murphy, who has been the leading man in the three preceding films, Judge Reinhold is also back. The actor appeared in all the previous installments as Detective Rosewood. His character receives a new coat of paint. John Ashton makes the trio from the first two films complete in "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F." His John Taggart, Rosewood's former partner at the Beverly Hills Police Department, who has retired, makes a comeback.
Additionally, Paul Reiser (68), known for his role as Jeffrey Friedman, Axel's former partner at the Detroit Police Department who is now his boss, and Axel's old friend Serge, played by Bronson Pinchot (65), can be seen in smaller roles in the fourth installment.
The New Stars
"Zola" star Taylour Paige steps into the role of Foley's daughter Jane, who lives in Beverly Hills. The father-daughter duo has not seen each other in years and must deal with both the case and their own conflicts. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, known for films like "(500) Days of Summer" or "50/50," plays Bobby Abbott, Jane's ex and Foley's new partner. With Kevin Bacon ("Footloose," "Apollo 13"), the fourth "Beverly Hills Cop" film also brings more Hollywood glamour.
Conclusion: Is "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" worth it?
Fans of the first two "Beverly Hills Cop" films will find themselves in familiar territory with the fourth installment. Numerous scenes and the film's pattern echo those from the 1980s - particularly the reunion of Axel, Rosewood, and Taggart brings a sense of nostalgia. Some things never change ... Wild car chases, shootouts, and laughs are once again on the menu. This time around, there's also more depth due to Foley's family issues and his advanced age. While there's not much new to discover, "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" offers enjoyable and entertaining action-comedy.
In the Netflix film "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F," Joseph Gordon-Levitt joins the cast as Detective Bobby Abbott, a new partner for Eddie Murphy's Axel Foley. The streaming service will make the film available from July 3rd. The film's title is a nod to the original theme song by Bernard Herrmann, "Axel F."
Netflix's "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" sees the return of some familiar faces, including Judge Reinhold as Detective Rosewood and John Ashton as Chief John Taggart. The trio from the first two films is complete again, with Ashton's character making a comeback after retirement.
Paul Reiser and Bronson Pinchot also appear in smaller roles, reprising their roles from the original series as Axel's former partner and old friend, respectively. The film also introduces some new stars, such as Taylour Paige as Foley's daughter Jane and Kevin Bacon as Captain Cade Grant.
In the film, Axel travels to Beverly Hills once again when Jane's life is threatened. She is a lawyer who gets too close to a criminal ring, and her ex-boyfriend Bobby Abbott, now a detective at the Beverly Hills Police Department, becomes Foley's new partner.
The return of some original stars, combined with the introduction of new ones, makes "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" an enticing watch for fans of the action comedy genre. The film promises fast-paced car chases, shootouts, and laughs, along with a deeper exploration of Foley's family issues and his advanced age.
If you're a fan of the original "Beverly Hills Cop" series, or if you simply enjoy action comedies, Netflix's "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" is definitely worth checking out.
