Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)

Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)

In 1984, the world was treated to Beverly Hills Cop, a highly-energized action film that put Eddie Murphy on the map and it remains a classic to this day. Plus, it made a boatload of money. So, in the eyes of producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson, it made sense to make a sequel. While the film was financially successful despite making less than the first film (was the third highest-grossing film of 1987), Beverly Hills Cop II fails to live up to its predecessor’s reputation. While there are some genuinely charming and amusing moments, the action is a bit brainless and Eddie Murphy comes across as more grating than funny. And some things within the plot does not make much sense. Like after the animosity shown between them in the first film, how are Axel Foley and Andrew Bogomil like best friends now? Not much of an explanation was given.

If you were to draw comparisons to the original film, this film is driven on its action sequences rather than plot or characterization. I believe one of the major reasons for that is the hiring of Tony Scott as director. Coming off the success of 1986’s Top Gun, Bruckheimer thought Scott was the man for the job. He is not a bad director, but his films are more action-heavy and rely upon action sequences. They can be entertaining from time to time, but mostly are loud and brainless. It does not help that the script, written by Richard Tienken and Robert Wachs, met subpar standards. They were going to expand the film and film scenes in London and Paris, but Murphy expressed reluctance to film overseas. I thought that would have been a neat idea. But instead, we were treated to a rehash of the original, just a louder version of it.

Three years after the events of the original film, the street-smart, wisecracking detective from Detroit, Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) is back in town after he learns of an assassination attempt on Captain Andrew Bogomil (Ronny Cox). With that, Beverly Hills is in the midst of something called the “Alphabet Crimes” which is a series of smash-and-grab robberies. Detectives Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and John Taggart (John Ashton) are having a difficult time solving the case. They seemingly link the attempt with a suspect named Karla Fry (Brigitte Nielsen) who is an elusive hitwoman that may be part of an international arms smuggling ring. Can Axel Foley help his detective buddies solve the case?

Look, I am a big Eddie Murphy fan. His charisma and aptitude for brazen comedy is why the first film worked very well. Here, he was not used properly. His character came across as annoying and obnoxious. I will admit that his “Johnny Wishbone” sequence with the police chief, Harold Lutz (played by Allen Garfield) was hilarious. It was nice to seem him gang up with Reinhold and Ashton again. The three do have chemistry when working together. The villains, played by Nielsen and Jurgen Prochnow, were uninspired and forgettable.

Another important aspect to the film is the soundtrack. Harold Faltermeyer returns to compose the score and incorporates his famous “Axel F” theme often. The songs chosen are a mixed bag. Sadly, there is no Patti LaBelle to stir things up (nice pun, right?). Bob Seger does contribute with an Oscar-nominated song called “Shakedown.” But on the other side of things, there is that controversial George Michael song that sadly I was not a big fan of.

Overall, Beverly Hills Cop II does not live up to the original film. It is a louder version of the original version. There are some fun (if not brainless) action sequences. The ending is pretty fun at least. Tony Scott does know his way around a camera and does a good job in capturing a more gritty look and feel to the movie. Murphy later stated that he felt the movie was the most successful mediocre movie ever made. I can agree with that statement. If you just seen the first film, which is a classic, you will not be missing out if you somehow avoided this film. It is not bad, just a brainless exercise.

My Grade: C