The fourth Beverly Hills Cop film, which reunites Eddie Murphy and other cast members from the original 1984 picture, has received mixed reviews from critics.
Several critics concurred that Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F brought back fond memories, as Murphy reprised the legendary character of Detective Axel Foley, forty years after the first movie broke box office records.
USA Today praised the movie as “a true comfort-food throwback” in a three-star review.
The Guardian, meanwhile, rated it a mere two stars, claiming that there was “little energy to enliven their formulaic reunion”.
Murphy became a household name thanks to the original Beverley Hills Cop, which spawned two sequels over the course of the next ten years and a number-one soundtrack.
In the latest movie, which debuted on Netflix on Wednesday, Foley is back on the Beverly Hills beat and his daughter, who is estranged from him, is in danger.
“The film has the confidence to poke fun at the franchise’s infamously bad third entry, yet comes to the table with nothing to prove, nothing to say, and nothing for Murphy to work with,” said Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent, who gave it two stars.
She went on, “It has arrived at Netflix, after Bad Boys: Ride or Die, with an extravagant $150 million [£118 million] budget.
“Although Beverly Hills Cop is largely responsible for Bad Boys’ creation, that series has managed to mature whereas this one has unquestionably failed. The sheer realization that time has gone plays a big part in it.”
Brian Truitt of USA Today expressed more excitement for the movie, calling it “a confident fourth outing” in the action-comedy series.
“Retro Bob Seger and Pointer Sisters tunes, that signature Detroit Lions varsity jacket, and the impressive commitment to on-duty ridiculousness” were among the film’s iconic features that Truitt complimented.
Glenn Whipp expressed similar positivity in the LA Times, saying that “you realise that everyone involved understood the assignment” as early as the opening titles.
“The solution to creating a new Beverly Hills Cop movie was to simply make the first one all over again.”
He went on, “Murphy works, even if the tone has changed from a brazen swagger to a cheery nostalgia. The heat has gone.”
“While it’s easy to view Axel F as a calculated cash grab, it’s clear that Murphy possesses an affection for the title character.”
original actors in the cast Murphy is joined by Judge Reinhold and John Ashton for the fourth installment.
Taylour Paige plays Foley’s daughter Jane in the movie, while Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays detective Bobby Abbott, Foley’s new partner.
However, The New York Times’ Robert Daniels gave the movie a poor review, stating that Murphy “struggles to revive the moribund action-comedy franchise”.
“Murphy makes a comeback with his trademark laugh, movie star smile, and Detroit Lions outfit.
“But there’s little to smile about in this painfully lacklustre retread desperately trying to justify its own existence,” he said.
“There’s something a bit tired and formulaic about this further go-around for his iconic Detroit cop Axel Foley,” Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian said.
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He went on: “Murphy’s “white folks” voice, which was a mainstay of his stand-up days, is still entertaining. However, this seems a little old, similar to Murphy’s Coming 2 America, and a grown man like him can’t play the subversive anarchist comic vibe in the same manner he did.
“Murphy could still play comedy or drama with the right script, but this presumes a great deal on the audience’s brand loyalty.”
For the first time in thirty years, Murphy has returned to the part that helped launch his career in the most recent movie.
He is now 63 years old and has a long list of credits that includes The Nutty Professor, Shrek, and Norbit. He was in his 20s when he filmed the first movie.
Robbie Collin of the Telegraph gave it a four-star rating, writing, “Murphy’s comedy is stuck in the 80s, but that’s fine.”
“First-time director Mark Molloy and his team uncannily recreate the original film’s rhythm, texture and spirit,” he said, adding that “Murphy is on bright, lively form, and seems to be enjoying the experience” .
The first new installment in thirty years was well received by Hollywood trade media. Pete Hammond of Deadline said, “[The film] is great fun and moves like a rocket thanks to Murphy and the cast reunion.”
“It should have been in theatres where it could have thrived, but Netflix subscribers will love it.”
“Of course, the difference between then and now is that in the 40 years since Beverly Hills Cop, there have been 400 action comedies spun out of these same tropes,” Variety’s Owen Gleiberman said, adding that the movie “might tickle your nostalgia bone.” Axel F, a Beverly Hills cop, is just another one of them.
The movie will ultimately “satisfy diehard fans,” according to David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter.
“But the shortage of fresh perspective, the absence of excitement and the slavishness with which the filmmakers stick to the original formula in one unimaginative action sequence after another makes the sequel seem past its expiration date.”
SOURCE : BBC NEWS
