While there are many that like this movie, I've seen a lot of people who hate on it too, and I don't understand it. This movie was awesome. I think it's as good as, if not better than the first one. I mean, it delivers on every promise it makes, and it's especially good in comparison with the third film, so just take it for what it is and you'll have a fun time.
Axel Foley returns as hip Detroit cop Axel Foley, and this time, he's drawn back to Beverly Hills in order to catch the person who shot Bogomil, and he re-teams with Taggart and Rosewood to do it, as well as solve the infamous "Alphabet Crimes".
The film greatly benefits from Tony Scott's masterful direction, and he truly is a virtuoso when it comes to directing action films. I really love some of his other work, particularly his films with Denzel Washington ("Man on Fire", "Deja Vu", "The Taking of Pelham 123", "Unstoppable"), and he crafts some excellent action set-pieces here. While the "Beverly Hills Cop" films have never been accused of being action-heavy, what is here is quite good, particularly the final oil field shootout which was very memorable. I would even go as far as to say that Scott's direction here tops that of Martin Brest, who was responsible for the every bit as good original film.
Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, known for their incredibly action-packed, often overblown action films filled with shootouts, chases, explosions, and fight scenes, are producing here, and it has their clear stamp on it, which is great, as they always put out fantastic action movies.
As far as comedy goes, it's hilarious, and arguably funnier than the first. Eddie Murphy is just as funny here as in the last one, and there are some laugh-out-loud moments. The feel of the original is still there, and the "fish out of water" aspect of Axel in Beverly Hills is still present, even if it's not as apparent as in the original. His relationship with Taggart and Rosewood is explored further, and both get more background and screen time in this film.
As I mentioned earlier, there's not a ton of action, even if some people do say this one's more action-packed than the first one. I'd say both have about the same amount, but even though there's not loads of action, what's here is great. A short shootout outside of a strip club, a cement truck chase, and the final, legendary shootout. Tony Scott really knows how to do action sequences, and his talent is definitely on display here.
Everyone played their parts well, and the characters are just as likable here as in the first one. There's a lot of character development, probably more here than in the first, and there's a greater focus on Taggart and Rosewood, which I liked. A great script, excellent cast, and skilled director really made this film soar.
A problem that a lot of people had with this one was that it was pretty much just a repeat of the first film, and that very little set this one apart. But honestly, isn't that the point of a sequel? I mean, yes, it would be nice to see a different film, but I don't agree that this is a repeat of the first one. The appeal of a sequel is that, if you liked the first one, then you'll like the sequel. It has the same characters, same plot elements, same actors, but a new situation. It takes everything that people liked about the first one, and adds more to it here. This sequel did have a different situation, although it still had the feel of the first one, which is one of the things that made it so good. But this sequel, instead of focusing on being something different, just decided to build on what made the original so good. It still had the 'average guy in rich Beverly Hills' vibe, it still had the same characters, same personalities, same location, but it developed these aspects more. There's now a greater focus on the lives of Taggart and Rosewood, as well as their relationship with Axel. There's a greater focus on Inspector Todd and the Detroit Police Department. There's more insight into the life of Bogomil. It is a rehash of the original, to a point, but there's more added. Everything that made the original a classic is still here, but there's now more of it. And I think this makes a good sequel. It worked with "Die Hard 2" and "Lethal Weapon 2". Different villains, same characters, same relationships, same action, same humor, different settings.
Overall, this film is, at least to me, under-appreciated, and it does a lot of great things. If you've seen the first "Beverly Hills Cop", than you'll like this one. I mean, even the iconic theme and obligatory Pointer Sisters song are here. Watch it, and decide for yourself.
Axel Foley returns as hip Detroit cop Axel Foley, and this time, he's drawn back to Beverly Hills in order to catch the person who shot Bogomil, and he re-teams with Taggart and Rosewood to do it, as well as solve the infamous "Alphabet Crimes".
The film greatly benefits from Tony Scott's masterful direction, and he truly is a virtuoso when it comes to directing action films. I really love some of his other work, particularly his films with Denzel Washington ("Man on Fire", "Deja Vu", "The Taking of Pelham 123", "Unstoppable"), and he crafts some excellent action set-pieces here. While the "Beverly Hills Cop" films have never been accused of being action-heavy, what is here is quite good, particularly the final oil field shootout which was very memorable. I would even go as far as to say that Scott's direction here tops that of Martin Brest, who was responsible for the every bit as good original film.
Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, known for their incredibly action-packed, often overblown action films filled with shootouts, chases, explosions, and fight scenes, are producing here, and it has their clear stamp on it, which is great, as they always put out fantastic action movies.
As far as comedy goes, it's hilarious, and arguably funnier than the first. Eddie Murphy is just as funny here as in the last one, and there are some laugh-out-loud moments. The feel of the original is still there, and the "fish out of water" aspect of Axel in Beverly Hills is still present, even if it's not as apparent as in the original. His relationship with Taggart and Rosewood is explored further, and both get more background and screen time in this film.
As I mentioned earlier, there's not a ton of action, even if some people do say this one's more action-packed than the first one. I'd say both have about the same amount, but even though there's not loads of action, what's here is great. A short shootout outside of a strip club, a cement truck chase, and the final, legendary shootout. Tony Scott really knows how to do action sequences, and his talent is definitely on display here.
Everyone played their parts well, and the characters are just as likable here as in the first one. There's a lot of character development, probably more here than in the first, and there's a greater focus on Taggart and Rosewood, which I liked. A great script, excellent cast, and skilled director really made this film soar.
A problem that a lot of people had with this one was that it was pretty much just a repeat of the first film, and that very little set this one apart. But honestly, isn't that the point of a sequel? I mean, yes, it would be nice to see a different film, but I don't agree that this is a repeat of the first one. The appeal of a sequel is that, if you liked the first one, then you'll like the sequel. It has the same characters, same plot elements, same actors, but a new situation. It takes everything that people liked about the first one, and adds more to it here. This sequel did have a different situation, although it still had the feel of the first one, which is one of the things that made it so good. But this sequel, instead of focusing on being something different, just decided to build on what made the original so good. It still had the 'average guy in rich Beverly Hills' vibe, it still had the same characters, same personalities, same location, but it developed these aspects more. There's now a greater focus on the lives of Taggart and Rosewood, as well as their relationship with Axel. There's a greater focus on Inspector Todd and the Detroit Police Department. There's more insight into the life of Bogomil. It is a rehash of the original, to a point, but there's more added. Everything that made the original a classic is still here, but there's now more of it. And I think this makes a good sequel. It worked with "Die Hard 2" and "Lethal Weapon 2". Different villains, same characters, same relationships, same action, same humor, different settings.
Overall, this film is, at least to me, under-appreciated, and it does a lot of great things. If you've seen the first "Beverly Hills Cop", than you'll like this one. I mean, even the iconic theme and obligatory Pointer Sisters song are here. Watch it, and decide for yourself.