Beverly Hills Cop is one of the most iconic film franchises due to its star, Eddie Murphy. The initial film garnered substantial critical and economic acclaim. Eddie Murphy's portrayal of the loquacious and boisterous Detroit police officer Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F solidified his position as a prominent movie star. In the last five years, Eddie Murphy has had a career resurgence after taking a break to focus on fatherhood.
Beverly Hills Cop :Axel F opens similarly to its three predecessors, presenting a Foley in the thick of a chaotic mission on Detroit's streets. Despite being thirty years older, Foley remains unchanged, breaking rules, cracking jokes, and courting trouble. Foley's former colleague, Jeffrey Friedman (Paul Reiser), now the Deputy Chief of the Detroit Police Department on the cusp of retirement, encourages Foley to do the same. However, Foley has no intention of relinquishing his badge, especially after receiving a concerning call from his old friend Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) of the Beverly Hills Police Department. Upon investigation, Foley discovers that his estranged daughter, Jane Saunders (Taylour Paige), a criminal defense attorney, is being targeted by a criminal organization after representing a client falsely accused of murdering an officer.

 In the bustling streets of Beverly Hills, Foley embarks on yet another errand, only to find a drastically altered landscape since his last visit. While the changes don't faze him much, his antics lead him back to the Beverly Hills police station. He meets Detective Bobby Abbott, Jane's former boyfriend, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Abbott isn't the only fresh face at the station. Despite Jane's reservations, Foley also meets Cade Grant, the leader of a special task group under John Taggart's leadership. Adding to the confusion, Rosewood's sudden disappearance forces Foley to team up with a hesitant Jane and Bobby to rescue their long-time friend.

Undoubtedly, Murphy ranks among the most talented comedic actors ever to grace the silver screen. Despite a comedian in the lead role, the first two films in the franchise skillfully blended tough cop drama with raunchy comedy. It would have been easy for Foley to spend the entire film complaining about how everyone has grown more sensitive or lamenting younger generations. However, this isn't the case here. Both the film and Murphy recognize that this character has always been the lightning spark of comic chaos that keeps the franchise alive. While many of his former colleagues contemplate retirement and aging, Foley rejects such notions. He remains the same rebellious cop we have come to know, and Murphy's portrayal of the character is consistent with his 22-year-old self. Axel F unlike traditional legacy sequels, mirrors its protagonist's disinterest in passing the torch. The film presents a sense of timelessness. 

Despite employing some predictable clichés of long-awaited sequels, such as the return of beloved characters, the film skillfully integrates these elements into the narrative. Rosewood and Taggart, portrayed by Reinhold and Ashton, respectively, play substantial roles beyond mere cameos. Despite his limited screen time compared to his co-stars, Bronson Pinchot's return as Surge is particularly captivating. His performance adds a delightful layer to the character, making him a joy to watch.

 Additionally, newcomers Taylor Paige and Joseph Gordon-Levitt make significant contributions. Paige portrays Jane, the polar opposite of Foley, prioritizing business over humor and revelry. Her interactions with Murphy lead to some of the film's most memorable moments, adding depth and emotional resonance. Gordon-Levitt portrays Bobby, a straight-laced individual who grows increasingly exasperated by Foley's antics. While Kevin Bacon's Grant lacks the depth and backstory of some other newcomers, he brings entertainment value, embodying a character resembling those from the first two films. Despite a somewhat predictable plotline centered around Grant, the performance remains engaging.

 Netflix is also releasing Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. The previous outings were distributed by Paramount. It's a complex choice, seeing as Murphy's star power would have been a hit at the box office, but coming to the streamer will ensure that a whole new generation will enjoy the camaraderie that makes this franchise so great.

 Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is a summer movie that audiences eagerly anticipate, as it fulfills all the expectations of a summer movie. The film features a prominent star, a lighthearted plot, and a cherished character providing pure escape.  One thing that studios are learning this summer is that audiences will show up if it has all of the above, and while it would have been nice to see Axel Foley in a theater, this film will do record numbers for Netflix because Eddie Murphy is still a bona fide movie star. 

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F comes to Netflix July 3rd world wide.