Beverly Hills Cop: Remember When Eddie Murphy Had A Potty Mouth and Was Funny?

I don't often find myself in this position but when I watch movies like this it makes me pine for the eighties just a little bit. Ok maybe I just want to remember when Eddie Murphy made funny live action movies rather than funny voice acting. This is something that is bound to come up when Trading Places, 48 Hours, and Coming To America get reviewed. But there's a reason that Eddie Murphy was the biggest star in America in the mid to late eighties. His movies were hilarious. They weren't filthy or full of the more vulgar stuff that was in his stand up shows though violence and cursing was involved and featured tons of good writing

But anyways that rant will end become part a five part job after awhile. In the original and funniest movie in the series Eddie Murphy introduces his role as Axel Foley a street smart cop whose brash actions have a tendency of getting him in trouble. However after a hoodlum friend is murderes in his own apartment, Axel takes it upon himself to investigate and heads to Beverly Hills to find out why his friend was murdered. Along the way he runs afoul of the local police and is flabbergasted by the gigantic difference in culture between California and his hometown of Detroit.

This is where it becomes difficult to review a movie because the thing is on AFI's list of the funniest comedies of all time so perhaps it's better to explain why this movie is funny. More than anything else this movie is hilarious because of Eddie Murphy BS. Thankfully the role was taken from Sylvester Stallone and revamped as a comedy and there are countless opportunities for Eddie to just make things up. Like most actors with the talent Murphy's best lines all come from him and it's wonderful to watch someone speak BS faster than most people can think. It's also clear the cast is having a good time and can barely maintain composure (Check out Judge Reinhold during the Super Cop story who is clearly laughing).

Another thing the movie does better than anyone gives it credit for is balance. While the later movies just go for laughs the entire time and try to make the situations more and more ridiculous the first one has a simple concept let's solve a murder and reveal a crook. However even though Axel is slinging enough bull to fertilize all of the farms in Wayne County (a bold statement I know), he is doing it for a distinct reason. In one time he's getting information, another time he'll be messing with the cops who are tailing him. Funny B.S. with serious intentions. Once the final shootout occurs Murphy's barbs stop because they wouldn't make sense (He's trying to save a friend). However Rosewood is so green that him acting like an idiot in a shootout does make sense.

Aside from the funny bits and a good story the movie also features a number of noteworthy cameos from Bronson Pinchot as Serge a flamboyant art dealer, Damon Wayans as a flamboyant hotel worker, and Paul Reiser as Paul Reiser but with a different name.

So does the film have any major weaknesses? Honestly I couldn't find anything noteworthy. Pacing isn't a problem because the movie is the right length at an hour and forty minutes and never lets up enough for us to get bored. The story is simple but solid because it's well acted and is ann inventive take on the fish out of water concept.

Ok ok I thought of something. During Foley's investigation of a customs agency they constantly cut to Judge Reinhold and company in the car just waiting for Axel to get back with random little asides. Though some people might find them amusing they clearly have no purpose but to remind you that oh yeah Axel's being followed and the cops may not be competent.

Oh something else! At one point Axel is discussing his suspect's crimes and admits that he witnessed things being taken before they pass through customs. This is something that is clearly illegal but when Axel tells the local police chief he says there's nothing they can do because they didn't find drugs. I'm pretty sure something getting into the country without passing through customs is a felony of sorts or else all those illegal aliens that people yell about are already citizens.

But we all know what I'm trying to do here. This is nit picking at its most severe and I can honestly say this is a movie I can enjoy at any time of the day. So if you like vintage Eddie Murphy and wonderful BS take this classic for a spin. Also this movie is my personal recommendation for a hangover cure after watching The Adventures of Pluto Nash or I Spy, or, Shrek 3, or Meet Dave.......You get the idea