Beverly Hills Cop-No Seriously That Transsexual Hooker Needs A Lift
The success of few movies are as easy to explain as that of Beverly Hills Cop. Way back in 1984 no actor was hotter than Eddie Murphy. This was long before the horrifying days of Pluto Nash, picking up transsexual prostitutes because they needed a ride and all the other bizarreness that have transpired in the subsequent twenty years. Back in 1984 Murphy could do no wrong and we were still riding high from his Saturday Night Life fame.
Murphy, as Detroit fish out of water cop, Axel Foley, goes to Beverly Hills for the typical class of cultures bit. While the script is formulaic it is also quite funny, especially by the standard of its day. A good supporting cast of straight-men played by Judge Reinhol, the under appreciated John Ashton and Ronny Cox all help make Beverly Hills Cop a simple, good time. The film was edgy but not so edgy as to keep the film from being family friendly enough to pack theaters.
Truthfully, the direction and script are really just along for the ride as Murphy is allowed to let his charisma and charm work over audiences. Much like many of the early Jim Carey movies, such as Ace Ventura and The Mask, Beverly Hills Cop is a film whose success is completely dependent on the performance of its lead actor. Another actor, without Murphy's comedic timing and raw energy, could have killed the film's success.
Much like Carey's The Mask, the script for Beverly Hills Cop is an after thought, as is catching the bad guys. What Beverly Hills Cop is all about is Eddie Murphy.
Story C
Acting B
Visuals C+
Originality/Innovation C
Enjoyability Grade B
Home Theater/HD Factor C
Overall Grade B (Murphy makes the film an enjoyable enough experience. Devoid of originality and a well constructed script, Beverly Hills Cop is carried by its lead actor and supporting performances. In this regard Beverly Hills Cop is much like other cop films that would come later, such as the Lethal Weapon and Rush Hour franchises.)
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