Beverly Hills Cop

"Have you ever driven a Mercedes before?"
"No, but a car is a car. I drive my car every day."
"I'm driving. I've seen your car."
"Oh, shit, that's cold."

Axel Foley (Murphy) is a reckless police detective in Detroit.  After setting up a sting, without permission, that causes massive destruction, he is ordered to follow the rules or be fired.  His childhood best friend Mikey Tandino (James Russo) comes to visit.  Mikey was recently released from jail and has a new security job in Beverly Hills.  That evening he is killed outside of Axel's apartment and Axel vows to avenge his friend.

Axel goes to Beverly Hills to kick-off his investigation, despite orders to leave it alone.  He suspects Mikey's employer, Victor Maitland (Berkoff) is responsible and sets out to prove it.  He runs into trouble right away and comes to the attention of the Beverly Hills police department.  Lieutenant Bogomil (Cox) assigns by-the book Sergeant Taggart (Ashton) and his naive partner Detective Billy Rosewood (Reinhold) to tail Axel.  Axel also contacts Jenny Summers (Eilbacher) an old friend who works for Victor.  Can Axel bring Maitland to justice, or will his actions get him fired?


This film was made during Eddie Murphy's career peak.  He was the strongest cast member on Saturday Night Live and made 2 wildly successful films: 48 Hrs. and Trading Places.  This film marked his first starring role, previously conceding the top billing to his co-star, and his first franchise.  The film was popular enough to green light 2 sequels, Beverly Hills Cop II and Beverly Hills Cop III.

Murphy is perfectly cast as Axel, even though the part was originally meant for Sylvester Stallone.  After Murphy was cast the part was retooled to fit his strengths and allowed him to ad lib.  His fast talking, world-wise character is evenly matched by Judge Reinhold's naive Billy.  The two work well together and combined with John Ashton's Taggart, are even better.  The plot is good, the villains are despicable and the leads are great.  The action sequences work well, including the shootout at the end.  A funny action flick that deserves all the praise it received.

Beverly Hills Cop (1984) 105 minutes
Director: Martin Brest
Starring: Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley
Judge Reinhold as Detective Billy Rosewood
John Ashton as Sergeant Taggart
Lisa Eilbacher as Jenny Summers
Ronny Cox as Lieutenant Bogomil
Steven Berkoff as Victor Maitland