A Detroit police officer investigates the murder of a childhood friend.
The plot is okay and functions to get us from one character-focussed scene to the next whilst also delivering some nice action thrills. However, it is the comedy that elevates it above the standard cop movie.
Eddie Murphy is the main reason to watch it, as he brings Axel Foley to life with an incredibly entertaining performance. He does the fish-out-of-water trope brilliantly whilst continually firing rapid humorous banter at every other character on screen. It helps that he is supported by the likes of Ronny Cox, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Steven Berkoff, Bronson Pinchot, and Gill Hill, who are all superb in their roles and have great chemistry with Murphy.
All site gags and action scenes are brilliantly choreographed and edited. Plus the cinematography includes a great blend of studio and location work. All the street scenes in Detroit and Beverly Hills feel like iconic 80s movie moments. The music enhances it all, particularly the Axel F theme.
It's an 8.5/10 for me but I round upwards.
The plot is okay and functions to get us from one character-focussed scene to the next whilst also delivering some nice action thrills. However, it is the comedy that elevates it above the standard cop movie.
Eddie Murphy is the main reason to watch it, as he brings Axel Foley to life with an incredibly entertaining performance. He does the fish-out-of-water trope brilliantly whilst continually firing rapid humorous banter at every other character on screen. It helps that he is supported by the likes of Ronny Cox, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Steven Berkoff, Bronson Pinchot, and Gill Hill, who are all superb in their roles and have great chemistry with Murphy.
All site gags and action scenes are brilliantly choreographed and edited. Plus the cinematography includes a great blend of studio and location work. All the street scenes in Detroit and Beverly Hills feel like iconic 80s movie moments. The music enhances it all, particularly the Axel F theme.
It's an 8.5/10 for me but I round upwards.