Beverly Hills Cop II

On B List of Movie Reviews

(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)

Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)

Rate: 7
Viewed: 11/03, 4/05, 11/06, 8/20

Beverly2
11/06: Beverly Hills Cop II is a highly watchable but average flick.

The bar set by the original is missed. I can only spot a couple of funny moments, especially with Gilbert Gottfried, and that's it. Eddie Murphy is at his vintage best as Axel Foley. The on-screen chemistry between John Ashton and Judge Reinhold when they're with Eddie Murphy is superb, and they work together very well.

On the other side of the coin, the plot is superficial; it's all about the looks and fast-paced action but not enough substance. There are stabs to make fun of Sylvester Stallone's Cobra, but it did become one of the best neo-noir pictures made.

All in all, Beverly Hills Cop II does an okay job of picking up where the original left off.

8/20: Sequels have a notorious reputation of not matching consistency of the original, but that's not so for Beverly Hills Cop II.

Although the first is unique and creative although dated, the sequel is more fresh and fast-paced, thanks to director Tony Scott who recently came off the success of Top Gun. Sure, the police tactics employed by the three lead characters are illegal and unbelievable. However, if they're ignored, it's pure entertainment.

Another aspect to like is the secondary players. Everybody is perfectly cast to help the film stand the test of time: Brigitte Nielsen, Jürgen Prochnow, Allen Garfield, Dean Stockwell, Gilbert Gottfried, and Paul Guilfoyle. Of course, it's Eddie Murphy who's the star with Judge Reinhold and John Ashton getting in the act.

Unfortunately, both installments of Beverly Hills Cop are no longer comedies; they've become strictly policiers. It's just that there isn't a lot to laugh at. Therefore, the teamwork among Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, and John Ashton is what gives the franchise a lot of gas.

All in all, the seamless transition from the original to the sequel for Beverly Hills Cop should be appreciated.