Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F Review – Eddie Murphy’s Triumphant Return. The Resurrection of Axel Foley. Not too long ago, a legacy sequel like Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F would have dominated the box office over a Fourth of July weekend. However, times have changed, and this long-awaited fourth instalment in the Eddie Murphy series has found its home on Netflix. While streaming service sequels often raise concerns about quality control, Axel F defies expectations by delivering an unexpectedly entertaining experience. It’s arguably the best entry in the franchise since the film that catapulted Murphy to stardom.
The Plot Unfolds
The movie opens with Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) embroiled in undercover trouble in Detroit. He thwarts a robbery at a Red Wings game, triggering a thrilling chase through the snow-covered city. Jeffrey Friedman (Paul Reiser), Axel’s former partner in the Detroit Police Department, now serves as the Chief of Police. Friedman’s impending retirement sets off discussions about aging law enforcement and the challenges faced by veterans.
Axel’s life takes an unexpected turn when his estranged daughter, Jane (Taylour Paige), gets dangerously close to a case involving corrupt cops. Jane’s near-murder forces Axel back to Beverly Hills, where familiar faces like Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and John Taggart (John Ashton) reappear. But there are new players too: Detective Bobby Abbott (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Jane’s ex, and Captain Cade Grant (Kevin Bacon), the clear-cut antagonist.
Nostalgia and New Beginnings
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F strikes a buoyant and playful tone, a rarity among legacy sequels. It recaptures the charm missing from the second and third films in the series. The film’s action scenes, well-staged and refreshingly practical, hark back to a lost art in an era dominated by CGI-heavy blockbusters.
The heart of the movie lies in Axel and Jane’s relationship. Their emotional arc adds depth to a franchise known for its silliness. Axel’s confession to Jane during a drive around town reveals his protective instincts: he left her behind years ago to shield her from his enemies. Jane, tearfully retorting that parents remain parents and children remain children, highlights the scars of their fractured bond.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F Review – Eddie Murphy’s Triumphant Return. The Villain’s Motivation, Kevin Bacon’s underwritten villain, Captain Cade Grant, brings his own believable motivations. Shot in the line of duty, he felt abandoned by the system’s failure to rehabilitate him. His entitlement and bitterness led him down a corrupt path, creating an intriguing dynamic.