After four decades, Eddie Murphy reprises his iconic role in the “Beverly Hills Cop” series that initially rocketed him to fame. However, critics are skeptical about the fourth installment’s merit.
Debuting on Netflix Wednesday, “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” has ascended to the top spot among U.S. movies on the platform, but reviews suggest it’s a mere nostalgic cash-grab.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the consensus is that the film “coasts on nostalgia,” while also noting it marks “a welcome return for [Murphy’s] Axel Foley.”
CNN described the film as “breezy escapism,” whereas Rolling Stone and ABC News both found its humor “exhausted” and “retirement ready.”
The Observer criticized Netflix for being “risk-averse,” suggesting the streaming giant is “using existing IP to hedge their bets on their investment.”
Even the more favorable reviews from IndieWire and AV Club only rated the movie a C+, with The New York Times calling it “a painfully lackluster retread desperately trying to justify its own existence.”
The original “Beverly Hills Cop,” which premiered in 1984 and earned nearly $235 million domestically, holds an 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, subsequent sequels have not fared well critically.
“Beverly Hills Cop II,” released in 1987, has a 48% rating, while 1994’s “Beverly Hills Cop III” languishes with an 11% approval rating.
In comparison, the latest film fares better, holding a 65% approval rating and a 78% audience score as of Thursday evening.
Murphy announced the fourth “Beverly Hills Cop” in 2019.
“That’s what we’re doing after [2021’s] ‘Coming to America 2,’” he told Collider at the time. “We’re doing ‘Beverly Hills Cop,’ and then the plan is to get back on stage and do standup.”
Joining Murphy in the latest installment are Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Taylour Paige, with franchise veterans Judge Reinhold and Paul Reiser also returning.
In conclusion, while “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” may not entirely escape the shadow of its predecessors’ success, it serves as a nostalgic bridge for long-time fans and introduces Eddie Murphy’s iconic Axel Foley to a new generation. The mixed critical reception, with its emphasis on familiar tropes and safe humor, underscores the challenges of reviving a beloved franchise. Despite this, the film’s strong audience score indicates that it still resonates with many viewers, delivering a dose of entertainment and escapism that aligns with the original’s spirit. In an era where reboots and sequels are commonplace, “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of its star and the character he immortalized. It may not redefine the action-comedy genre, but it successfully rekindles the charm that made Axel Foley a cultural icon.