Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

 ☆ ☆ ☆ ½

Beverly Hills Cop (1984) – M. Brest

Far better than in his debut (in 48 Hrs., 1982), Eddie Murphy really commands this action-comedy blockbuster, much of which may involve improvised dialogue. He’s come into his own and every other character, primarily the real Beverly Hills cops played by Judge Reinhold and John Ashton, spend their time reacting to him.  Murphy plays Axel Foley, a Detroit detective whose childhood friend turned hoodlum is offed by an Art-Dealer/Drug-Smuggler from Beverly Hills. Foley goes rogue, travels to California, and succeeds in more-or-less singlehandedly solving the case and getting the local force to act.  There’s a lot of gun violence, swearing, some nudity – so not for kids (did I really see this in ’84?) – but it is also genial and sails forth atop Murphy’s charisma, so it is a fun vehicle for him.