For years now there has been talk of a new Beverly Hills Cop project. First as a fourth film, then as a TV series, and eventually a film again. After seeing Murphy's comeback in last year's Dolemite Is My Name, I have no doubt that the comedy legend still has some comedic gas left in the tank, and with Foley being one of his beloved characters, a reboot makes a lot of sense.
The good news is Murphy seems enthusiastic about the material. He's been trying to get a new Foley film off the ground for years. After the success of the Dolemite film and the good will being generated by his upcoming sequel to Coming to America, conditions seem ripe to make this happen, although the coronavirus has delayed it (as it has every major, in the works project right now).
The first film is a classic -- both a great old school cop movie and a wonderfully charming hang out comedy. Murphy is credible is action scenes and really gives a well-rounded performance that's likable and whipsmart.
Some people consider part II a bit of a letdown but it works for me. It's got Tony Scott at the helm. which means it looks incredible, and the action is much harder edged. It's not really reinventing the series, but it's stylish, enjoyable and a great time capsule movie of when Murphy was sitting on top of the world.
When earlier iterations of a fourth film got bandied about I remembered hearing it could be one of those movies where Murphy is passing the torch to a younger sidekick. I really hope that isn't the direction they go in.
Murphy is still in his 50s, he looks great and has still got starpower to spare. I think a movie about an older, wiser Axel Foley can work without shoehorning in some up and comer -- or even worse some wannabe heir apparent (like Kevin Hart...)
I would also just like to a return of the good old fashioned cop movie. I haven't seen Bad Boys III but something in that vein feels fresh almost because it's been so long since it used to be stale. I miss stuff like the Lethal Weapon franchise. These were movies that were pretty grounded in a recognizable reality with stars who looked and dressed like real people.
There have been some honest stabs at action comedies in recent years -- I would argue Hobbs & Shaw is one. But most, like Kumail Nanjiani's Stuber, have sunk like a stone. And really this is a bad period for the American comedy in general.
Last year, there wasn't a pure comedy in the top 30 movies! Unless you count Knives Out, which is very funny, but also as much of a mystery as it vehicle for laughs. And I consider the Jumanji movie more of a kids movie.
It may come as surprise to people -- especially younger folks who don't know what the fuss is all about -- but Beverly Hills Cop was one of the biggest hits of all time when it came out in 1984 -- and it ranked number one that year, ahead of another iconic comedy blockbuster -- Ghostbusters.
For some reason, comedies are not seen as financially risky and out of fashion. Sure, the Marvel movies and Star Wars films tend to have solid laughs in them, but that's not why you're there.
There definitely aren't many comedy actors who are on an unmitigated hot streak right now. I'm not a fan, if you can tell, but Kevin Hart was having a moment for a while but he no longer feels like 'the man.' Will Ferrell also occupied that pole position for a while, until you realize he hasn't really killed in a movie since Anchorman 2.
I'm intriguing by Pete Davidson's upcoming collaboration with Judd Apatow -- he feels like someone who could be big with the right project, but he could never be what Eddie was.
Murphy was the Michael Jordan of mainstream American comedy, and I want Beverly Hills Cop IV, should it ever happen be sort of like his The Last Dance, a reminder that no one does this kind of movie better than he did, then and now.
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