SummaryAxel Foley, a freewheeling Detroit cop investigating the murder of his friend, finds himself dealing with the very different culture of Beverly Hills.
Directed By:Martin Brest
Written By:Daniel Petrie Jr., Danilo Bach
Beverly Hills Cop
Metascore
Generally Favorable
66
User score
Generally Favorable
7.7
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
66
83% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
8% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
8% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
88
In a sense, the film only works because, in the real world, the system is rigged against someone like Axel Foley. Yet when Murphy seizes the screen, all bets are off, resulting in a work of racial subversion that’s both hilarious and cathartic.
80
It understands the exchange of aggression and guilt, and it’s witty about the awkward way that whites who have been taught to respect Blacks will speak and act when confronted with an actual Black man.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.7
83% Positive
133 Ratings
133 Ratings
15% Mixed
24 Ratings
24 Ratings
2% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
Aug 10, 2023
10
I was rewatching this the other day and realized that like most other old movies I enjoy, I hadn't reviewed it here. A 10/10, this comedy hits all the check boxes. Engaging plot? You bet. Incredibly funny? It's pre-nash Murphy, duh! It even has good action scenes! As a bonus, comes with one of the best movie sound tracks and most iconic theme songs of all time for a movie. Most movies these days don't even HAVE theme songs!
Jan 14, 2023
10
A cult classic, box office hit and the signature role for Eddie Murphy. It is an action comedy that has a lot of charm aside an Eddie Murphy at his best. It is the story of the unconventional and street wise Detroit cop Axel Foley who gets draw into events by an old childhood friend. The clues lead him to Beverly Hills. I am extra vague to avoid spoilers as this is a classic I recommend watching. The story is as entertaining as interesting. The bad guy has a smart plan and good defense. However a lot of the enjoyment comes from the actors. I sound like a broken record if I repeat myself but Eddie Murphy put his heart and soul into his performance and shines. Judge Reinhold, Lisa Eilbacher and Jonh Ashton also make also great performance and enhance the movie. Steven Berkoff is a nice love to hate antagonist I praise. We got an overall remarkably good performance from the whole cast. With this I have also to praise the team behind the screen as a bad script or director cant be remedied by good actors (As modern movies have taught me). The humor is also spot on and more modern movies could learn a lot from this. Lastly I want to praise the soundtrack. While all tracks are good “Axel F” by Harold Faltmayer became a classic that is still covered today. Overall I recommend this movie and give a 10/10. It is still as good today as back then.
80
Beverly Hills Cop finds Eddie Murphy doing what he does best: playing the shrewdest, hippest, fastest-talking underdog in a rich man's world.
75
Beverly Hills Cop is an old-fashioned movie; it's a star vehicle. And the star makes it worth the price of admission. [5 Dec. 1984, p.B1]
70
Beverly Hills Cop is no masterpiece, but it uses Murphy to maximum effect. At its best, the movie is exactly as brazen, charming and mercurial as Murphy himself, which is to say it is unimaginable without him. [3 Dec. 1984, p.81]
63
Eddie Murphy looks like the latest victim of the Star Magic Syndrome, in which it is assumed that a movie will be a hit simply because it stars an enormously talented person. Thus it is not necessary to give much thought to what he does or says, or to the story he finds himself occupying.
30
The whole picture is edited and scored as if it were a lollapalooza of laughs. And, with Murphy busting his sides guffawing in self-congratulation, and the camera jammed into his tonsils, damned if the audience doesn't whoop and carry on as if yes, this is a wow of a comedy. [24 Dec. 1984, p.78]
Mar 29, 2022
10
Wow, I was surprised at how brilliant this film was. It was funny and thrilling and had Eddie Murphy in his best role. It looks great, with the cinematography, scenery and editing all stylish, and the soundtrack is note-perfect, while the script is fresh, believable and funny with plenty of wit, and the story is thrilling and fast paced. The direction is assured, and the acting is great. Eddie Murphy is brilliant playing his most likable character to date, and shares a believable chemistry with Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Lisa Eilbacher and Steven Berkoff who all match him without fault. In conclusion, greatly enjoyable, and much better than its sequel. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Jan 30, 2020
6
Excellent cast, decent cinematography and great Eddie Murphy vehicle. A classic. However BHC overall feels decidedly average to watch in 2020, and seems unsure of which genre it is scene by scene... but it still has the 'x' factor and a lot of heart which helps to elevate the basic material. Definitely worth a watch!
Feb 8, 2018
6
The plot is so stupid and out of the pragmatic comedy parameters. This is one epitome of the rating hypocrisy that Very good movies go under rated terrible, and the utter bagatelle and trivial ones get good accolade.
Feb 4, 2021
5
Just an entertaining movie for the masses with unrealistic scenes. The movie is also outdated with ridiculous action scenes and simple story. There are some funny scenes though, but surely they cant save the movie.
Dec 29, 2016
2
Je dis pas, Eddie Murphy est parfois drôle -enfin drôle, façon de parler, plutôt vaguement distrayant- à s'agiter et tchatcher dans tous les sens devant une bande de neuneus tantôt râleurs et aigris, tantôt tout acquis à sa cause, émerveillés par le clown et son numéro ! Mais on ne se bidonne pas, nous par contre, devant ce film bidon qui vole à peine au ras des pâquerettes et tente de glisser sur la vague des clichés "racistes" qu'il démonte et dont il se moque avec une naïveté et une maladresse confondantes. Car, faut-il vous le dire -au cas où- ce flic à Berverly Hills (quartier très chic à ce qu'il semble) est un Noir ! et de la ville de Détroit qui plus est... remarquez c'était avant que Détroit ne soit comme... aujourd'hui. Toujours est-il que ce comique de situation et de préjugés est du même acabit qu'un épisode des Jours heureux (Happy Days en VO putain) sauf que Fonzy est devenu noir, s'habille comme charlot et débite des conneries à plein tube sur la musique Bontempi des années 80. Oui, cest vraiment très con comme film, trop con pour en supporter ne fût-ce qu'un peu plus de la moitié !
Production Company:
- Paramount Pictures
- Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films
- Eddie Murphy Productions
Release Date:Dec 5, 1984
Duration:1 h 45 m
Rating:R
Tagline:In Detroit a cop learns to take the heat. In L.A. he learns to keep his cool. [Theatrical Australia]
Awards
Golden Globes, USA
• 2 Nominations
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
Online Film & Television Association
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
