Eddie Murphy’s Triumphant Return: Beverly Hills Just Got Funnier

When Judge Reinhold, teetering on the brink of chaos, turns to Eddie Murphy behind the wheel and exclaims, “God, I missed you, Axel,” you can almost hear the collective sigh of relief from fans around the globe. Indeed, we’ve all missed the sarcastic and sweet Axel Foley. The good news is, Netflix has brought him back to our screens in “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” marking a glorious return after a hefty 30-year hiatus since “Beverly Hills Cop III” graced us in 1994.

But hold your horses; before you ask if the new movie is any good, let’s ponder this: does it even matter? The fourth installment in the Axel Foley Cinematic Universe reunites not only the iconic Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold but also long-time co-stars Paul Reiser, John Ashton, and Bronson Pinchot. This star-studded reunion is like a nostalgic rollercoaster ride that plummets straight into our collective memory banks, filled with high-speed chases, witty banter, and that unmistakable laugh.

The plot of “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” is refreshingly straightforward. Axel Foley, our beloved Detroit cop, is smashing through his police duties in his usual spectacular fashion when he’s urgently called back to Beverly Hills. The reason? To help his estranged daughter, portrayed with commendable grit by Taylour Paige. As Foley dives into a convoluted murder case involving dirty cops, the movie seamlessly juxtaposes his no-nonsense Detroit style with the snooty aura of Beverly Hills, complete with comedic commentary, of course.

For those of you who grew up with the original trilogy, there’s a delightful montage of Murphy behind the wheel while Glenn Frey’s “The Heat Is On” blares in the background. This nostalgic nod is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, and the numerous vehicles commandeered throughout the film might just be a cheeky acknowledgment of the advancing age of its core cast. Screenwriters Will Beall, Tom Gormican, and Kevin Etten ensure that Murphy has ample room to flex his improvisational muscles while crafting surprisingly poignant dialogues between Foley and his 32-year-old daughter, both of whom are nursing some deeply buried hurt.

Adding a unique twist to the mix, one of the traffic cops is played by none other than Murphy’s real-life daughter, Bria Murphy, one of his ten offspring. This familial touch adds an extra layer of authenticity to the film. With Mary J. Blige’s “Family Affair” woven into the narrative, Murphy’s Axel Foley proves that family ties, no matter how strained, can be mended—often with a healthy dose of humor and heart.

So, as “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” hits Netflix this Wednesday with an R rating for language, violence, and brief drug use, you might find yourself wondering if we will have to wait another 30 years for our next Axel Foley fix. Let’s hope not. In the meantime, revel in the 117-minute running time of this delightful, action-packed return of a character who has undeniably left an indelible mark on cinematic history. Enjoy the ride—the heat is definitely still on!