Audience Reviews for Beverly Hills Cop ½ In a piece he wrote for GQ a couple of years ago, Mark Harris opined that much of Hollywood's current malaise stems from the mind-set of the generation running the studios. Hollywood's recent conservative spiral has come about because the people green-lighting film came of age at the dawn of the modern blockbuster. In his words: "the guys who felt the rush of Top Gun... [are] now in [their] forties... And increasingly, it is their taste, their appetite, and the aesthetic of their late-'80s post-adolescence that is shaping moviemaking." Whether you agree with Harris or not, his argument would help to explain Hollywood's increasingly obsession with remaking every successful 1980s film. The re-emergence of Fame, Footloose, Red Dawn and a host of others certainly gives the impression that the 1980s was a golden time, with each of these films being classics in their field. But of course, even a cursory glance is enough to debunk this notion - and so it is with Beverly Hills Cop, which now looks really ordinary after 29 years on the beat.

Just like Top Gun two years later, Beverly Hills Cop is a classic example of the high-concept film - an idea supposedly invented by Steven Spielberg but most firmly identified with Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. It is a film whose entire story is contained in its title or tagline - Eddie Murphy is a cop in Beverly Hills. Axel Foley's origins in Detroit have no bearing other than to create a contrast with the other police force; frankly, he could be from Florida and it wouldn't make any difference to the plot or the comic conceit. We could debate the legacy of Simpson and Bruckheimer all day, but their approach does help to explain a lot of the characteristics of Beverly Hills Cop. Harris again puts it best when he says, in the same article: "their movies weren't movies; they were pure product - stitched-together amalgams of amphetamine action beats, star casting, music videos, and... technological adrenaline all designed to distract you from their lack of internal coherence, narrative credibility, or recognizable human qualities." His comments are echoed by an observation John Landis made at a Q&A session in 2009.

Speaking about his involvement in Beverly Hills Cop III, Landis remarked that the first film had a terrible script, and that it was only funny because director Martin Brest allowed Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold to improvise most of their dialogue. This might help to explain a lot of the long pauses in between the characters' stories; whenever a big explanation has to take place to their superiors about what happened, the camera just hangs on them for a few seconds, as though Brest was waiting for anything else that was funny. Fittingly, the opening section of the film does owe a lot to Landis. The opening montage is like a blue-collar version of the opening to Trading Places, with the run-down architecture of Detroit and Patti LaBelle's 'New Attitude' taking the place of refined New York City building and Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. Both the opening chase and the final showdown take heavily after the multi-car pile-ups in The Blues Brothers, though they are executed with much less timing and panache. Had Landis not made such a pig's ear of the third film, you might hazard to say he would have been a safer bet here.

Because the film is essentially a star vehicle for Eddie Murphy, it should come as little surprise that the story of Beverly Hills Cop isn't that great. But what's perplexing is that, in the right hands, it could have been. The series of events has more than enough twists and turns in it to make a decent procedural or mystery drama. Don't get me wrong, it's not Chinatown, but it would have been enough to keep people guessing, if only for a while. Similarly, there is a nice little idea in the character of Axel Foley. Foley is a cop who gets results by going above the law, and the comedy (supposedly) arises from him being put in a place where everyone goes only by the book. Foley's knack of getting results based on his hunches and misdirection could have been explored in more detail, with the consequences of him messing up serving as an emotional anchor. Instead the closest we come to any kind of anchor is Foley's boss Todd, played convincingly by real-life Detroit cop Gil Hall. The central problem with Beverly Hills Cop is that it makes the absolute least of its material.

Problems with the original screenplay could have been remedied in the direction, and the improvisation should have worked wonders considering how talented Murphy was as a stand-up. Instead all of Murphy's energy is over-indulged, with Brest not giving him the boundaries or the character direction that Landis gave him in Trading Places. In that film, Murphy was working within set boundaries and doing the best he could. Here, he's given a free reign and so is very hit-and-miss, with none of the bad stuff being cut because the script has nothing to fall back on in the first place. As a result of this lack of discipline from both director and star, the plot of Beverly Hills Cop becomes convoluted to the point where it is almost irrelevant. The audience are spoon-fed all the major plot points through exposition from Foley - or if not through exposition, then through improv that goes on for too long. Eventually we give up trying to find out for ourselves who killed Foley's friend, because if we wait around long enough the film will tell us, and we won't have to think.

At this point you might argue that the majority of 1980s blockbusters were this asinine and patronising, and that I am simply attacking a trend rather than dealing with issues specific to this film. But this line of reasoning can be swiftly dismissed by comparing Beverly Hills Cop with Lethal Weapon. Both have similar conceits of an out-of-control police officer working with people of opposite persuasions to take down a dangerous criminal. But Lethal Weapon is by far the better film, with a funnier script, more character development, and direction from Richard Donner which complements the action rather than just capturing it. Lethal Weapon also has the edge as far as performances are concerned. Whatever you may think of Mel Gibson's personal life or political views, he is brilliant as Martin Riggs, and Danny Glover is a perfect match for him. Murphy is talented, and he is working with some talented people in the form of Ronny Cox of Deliverance fame and Judge Reinhold, who had recently come from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. But other than Gil Hall, none of the supporting cast are strong or convincing enough to reign Murphy in.

Even Steven Berkoff, in uptight threatening ham mode, can't provide the counterbalance needed to give the Axel Foley character meaning. On top of this, there is also an uncomfortable homophobic undercurrent in the film. This is most likely a product of the time; Hollywood is notorious for the slow speed at which its attitudes towards different social groups changes. But even with the historical context, the mincing depiction of many male characters is offensive and too blatant to ignore. Such events don't derail the film, but only because there is nothing really to derail in the first place. What we are left with is a film of barely passable mediocrity - 100-odd minutes of disposable action and attempted comedy which don't really hang together and don't amount to much more than escapist diversion. The soundtrack is decent but very repetitive, the cinematography is pretty standard, and the ending meets some of our expectations but doesn't deliver any kind of knock-out punch. It's not a crushing disappointment in the manner of Beowulf or Atlantis: The Lost Empire; both of these films squandered great potential, while this has much less to squander in the first place.

Instead it's a film that might induce a chuckle, but mainly leaves us with the resignation that comes from lowered expectations. Beverly Hills Cop is a flat and rather aimless action comedy that hasn't stood the test of time at all well. For all the individual moments where the dialogue sparks or the action becomes engaging, it has none of the driving energy of Lethal Weapon from the story, direction or performances. As an historical document it's still of interest, and Eddie Murphy die-hards will probably enjoy it more. But as a comedy, plain and simple, it's just not funny anymore. Daniel Mumby Super Reviewer Axel Foley: Disturbing the peace? I got thrown out of a window! What's the fuckin' charge for getting pushed out of a moving car, huh? Jaywalking? "The Heat Is On!" I had seen glimpses of this movie on television many times, but this was surprisingly the first time I watched the whole movie. What I got from it wad that Eddie Murphy used to be a boss. I absolutely loved him in this movie.

From the first scene where he is undercover selling some shady guys a shit load of cigarettes to his final smile as the film ends; he's on the top of his game. He's hilarious, but at times his performance teeters on being 100% serious. The guy obviously used to be an amazing comedic actor and if you need proof of that, look no further. Beverly Hills Cop is classic Eddie Murphy for all the people who are over the shit he's throwing out now. Axel Foley is a Detroit cop who is described as a great cook with great potential, but he's a little too aggressive. He's smart, charismatic, and extremely arrogant. He goes behind his chiefs back and sets up undercover busts without authorization. One day, an old friend pays him a visit and they hang out for awhile. When they return to Foley'a apartment, two men jump them, knocking Foley unconscious and killing his friend. The two men were professionals. Foley is told to stay away from the case, but he takes vacation in Beverly Hills(his friends last employment spot) on a hunch that the friends employer had something to do with his death. He runs into some Beverly Hills cops and then a lot of shit goes down.

This movie really is just an extremely fun time. There's a lot of slapstick like gags thrown in for humorous effect, but the film is at its best when Murphy is talking and bullshitting. The dialogue is actually surprisingly good and occasionally really smart, while the music choices seem a little much at times. Overall the formula Martin Breast used here was a good one. The movie feels like it flies by and there's no down time. It's a quick moving and above average cop comedy. Vintage Eddie Murphy fans already know this film and, for the most part, probably love it. For all you people who have never seen a glimpse of some old school Murphy and have only seen movies from him like Haunted Mansion; you owe it to yourself to give this one a look. No matter what your feelings toward Murphy are, they will be changed when you watch him kill it in Beverly Hills Cop. I've always liked Murphy, but I now have a new level of respect for him.

Melvin White Eddie Murphy’s Best and Worst Movies: ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ at 30 | Variety THE BEST – #10 “Boomerang” (1992) THE BEST – #9 “Bowfinger” (1999) THE BEST – #8 “Dreamgirls” (2006) THE BEST – #7 “The Nutty Professor” (1996) THE BEST – #6 “Shrek” (2001) THE BEST – #5 “Eddie Murphy: Raw” (1987) THE BEST – #4 “Coming to America” (1988) THE BEST – #3 “Trading Places” (1983) THE BEST – #2 “48 Hrs.” (1982) THE BEST – #1 “Beverly Hills Cop” (1984) AND THE WORST… #5 “Beverly Hills Cop III” (1994) THE WORST – #4 “Best Defense” (1984) THE WORST – #3 “The Adventures of Pluto Nash” (2002) THE WORST – #2 “A Thousand

 Words” (2012) THE WORST – #1 “Norbit” (2007) From the moment he took the stage at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and shouted "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!" it was only a matter of time before Hollywood came calling for Eddie Murphy.

The comedian's edgy humor, whip-smart intelligence and go-for-broke energy all but ensured a quick transition to feature films. Beginning his movie career with a series of impressive costarring performances, Murphy made the leap to leading man status in the action-comedy classic "Beverly Hills Cop." Released on December 5, 1984, it remains his most financially successful live-action film to date. On its 30th anniversary, here's a look at Eddie Murphy's ten best roles, plus five that should be forgotten. Taking a break from action films, Murphy played an all too rare modern adult in this underrated romantic comedy. Recalling the work of '80s era Blake Edwards, directors Reggie and Reginald Hudlin put Murphy's natural charisma to good use, casting him as a womanizing ad executive whose life is thrown a curve when he meets his new boss played by Robin Givens. Sexy and sophisticated, "Boomerang" is worth another look. Murphy pulled off a memorable dual role in this clever Hollywood satire, playing a neurotic action hero and his loveably dimwitted brother.

Written by costar Steve Martin, Murphy excels in both parts, spoofing his well-known public persona with one character and vanishing fully into the other. Playing a flamboyant R&B singer in the long-awaited adaptation of the Tony-winning musical, Murphy did his own singing during the dazzling concert numbers. Echoing his classic James Brown impersonation from SNL, this career-energizing performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. An avowed fan of Jerry Lewis, Murphy delivered big laughs and a surprising amount of heart in this crude yet sweet remake of the 1963 classic. Hidden beneath Rick Baker's Oscar winning makeup, Murphy instilled the overweight Professor Klump with a moving degree of dignity. Even more impressive are the believable romantic sparks that fly between the obese Klump and his love interest played by Jada Pinkett Smith. Having voiced a dragon in Disney's "Mulan" three years earlier, Murphy was the perfect choice to breathe life into a loveable donkey in DreamWorks' animated blockbuster.

Teamed with fellow SNL legend Mike Myers, Murphy's joyful banter and snappy one-liners helped him score the biggest hit of his career… until "Shrek 2" and "Shrek the Third" came along, that is. Four years after his masterful HBO special "Delirious," Murphy delivered another virtuoso standup act in this uncensored theatrical concert film directed by Robert Townsend. Though some of his material was labeled misogynistic, the comedian's galvanizing performance earned critical acclaim and broke box office records. It currently ranks as the highest grossing standup comedy film of all time. The second of three films he made with director John Landis, this exuberant comic-fantasy showcased the actor at his most confident. An uncanny mimic with a genius for impersonation, Murphy portrayed a variety of characters throughout the movie, thanks once again to Rick Baker’s Oscar-nominated makeup. But it’s his performance as the lovestruck Prince Akeem that audiences truly embraced. In the warmest role of his career, Murphy’s star rarely shined brighter.

Combining raunchy laughs with biting satire, Murphy's first full-fledged comedy is one of the funniest, most perceptive films of the '80s. Costarring Dan Aykroyd, this ribald variation on The Prince and the Pauper crackles with energy as two of Saturday Night Live's biggest stars swap lives in a social experiment gone hilariously wrong. Drawing on his skills as a sketch performer, Murphy is dynamic in this pitch-perfect screwball farce. In his feature debut, Murphy owned the screen playing a cocky thief who's forced to partner with a grizzled detective in Walter Hill's ferociously entertaining buddy-cop thriller. Though the role was originally set for Richard Pryor, Murphy made it his own, earning unanimous praise for his razor-sharp timing and the superb chemistry he shared with Nick Nolte. Moving with the intensity of a panther on screen, his riveting performance announced the arrival of a major star. Murphy burned white-hot in this blockbuster about a streetwise Detroit cop who turns Los Angeles upside down while investigating the murder of a friend.

More than just a fish-out-of-water story, "Beverly Hills Cop" is a non-stop, super-charged star vehicle that features Murphy at the top of his game. A deft mix of comedy and action, the film topped "Ghostbusters" and "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" at the box office to become the No. 1 movie of 1984. Murphy and Landis were barely on speaking terms when they collaborated on their final film together, and the behind-the-scenes discord is visible on screen. Lacking the magic of the original "Beverly Hills Cop," this third entry in the series makes Tony Scott's stylishly violent second film seem uproarious by comparison. While Murphy has made worse films, there's something miserable about seeing a beloved character like Axel Foley become such a bore. In the first bomb of his career, Murphy played an American tank commander who comes under fire when Iraqi soldiers invade Kuwait. An uneasy cross between "Stripes" and "Dr. Strangelove," scenes of Murphy and his bumbling tank crew were quickly shot and sloppily inserted into an existing Dudley Moore comedy after test audiences found the original to be unwatchable.

The result is a disjoined mess that eerily predicted the Gulf War six years later. One of the most expensive flops of all time, this humorless sci-fi spoof sat on a shelf for two years before being unleashed on the public. Playing a retired smuggler who buys a nightclub on the moon, Murphy wanders aimlessly from one cheap-looking set to another, looking bored and angry. Of the supporting cast, only Randy Quaid fares well as a robot with a screw loose. Set in the void of space, "The Adventures of Pluto Nash" is devoid of laughs. Casting an actor as skilled at verbal comedy as Eddie Murphy in a role that prevents him from speaking was the biggest mistake this dismal comedy made. Dripping with false sincerity and phony moralizing, "A Thousand Words" squanders Murphy's talent more than any other film in his career. Resembling a failed sitcom pilot, this drab tale of a fast-talking workaholic whose life is transformed by a magical tree was dead on arrival. Murphy's fondness for prosthetic makeup reached an all-time low in this disturbingly grotesque raunch-fest.

On the heels of his Oscar nomination for "Dreamgirls," the star once again played multiple roles, including the monstrous Rasputia, a character who ranks high as one of the most offensive stereotypes ever committed to film. Directed by Brian Robbins, who helmed the abysmal "A Thousand Words," "Norbit" is a loathsome exercise in humiliation and cruelty. Eddie Murphy's 'Beverly Hills Cop 4' Removed From Paramount's Release Schedule (Exclusive) Also Read: 'Top Gun' Sequel Will See Tom Cruise Grappling With Drone Warfare, Jerry Bruckheimer Says (Video) Jerry Bruckheimer is returning to produce “Beverly Hills Cop 4,” and the last reported writers were Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec . The sequel is expected to take Murphy’s beloved cop Axel Foley back to his Detroit roots This past January, Murphy told Rolling Stone that script concerns were the primary reason behind the continued delay. “They[‘re] still trying to get that script right. I’m not doing a ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ unless they have a really incredible script.

I’ve read a couple things that look like they can make some paper, but I’m not doing a shitty movie just to make some paper. The shit got to be right,” said Murphy. Also Read: Jerry Bruckheimer, Paramount Reach 3 Year, First Look Deal Paramount recently moved its big-budget gamble “Monster Trucks” from this year’s crowded Christmas frame to March 18, 2016. That decision was the writing on the wall for the delay of “Beverly Hills Cop 4,” as the studio wouldn’t likely release two big movies on consecutive weekends. Representatives for Ratner and Bruckheimer declined to comment. 'SNL's' 40 Most Iconic Characters: From the Blues Brothers to Stefon (Photos) Spartan Cheerleaders: Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri got spirit, how 'bout you? Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Alger (Dana Carvey): Party time, excellent. MacGruber (Will Forte): Makin' life-saving inventions out of household materials! The Blues Brothers, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd: Two soul men.

Stefon: Bill Hader never could keep a straight face as "Weekend Update's" New York City nightlife correspondent. Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party: Cecily Strong's breakout character went away temporarily when she co-anchored "Weekend Update" for a season. "Dick in a Box" guys: You better hope that Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake aren't your Secret Santas. The Church Lady: Dana Carvey's character on making this list: "Well isn't that special?" Matt Foley: Chris Farley's character may be iconic, but he still "LIVES IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!" Sarah Palin (Tina Fey): Did this spot-on impression save "SNL" during a down period? "You betcha!" Roseanne Roseannadanna (Gilda Radner): "Weekend Update's" consumer affairs reporter had as much distaste for New Jersey as Richard Feder has questions. Debbie Downer: Rachel Dratch's best character would surely find SOMETHING miserable about being considered one of the show's 40 most iconic. Mary Katherine Gallagher: We know, Molly Shannon -- you're a superstar. So stop being so nervous all the time.

Haray Caray (Will Ferrell): "Cubs win! Cubs win!" PS, Wrap readers: If you were a hot dog, would you eat yourself? Land Shark: Chevy Chase's deadly predator was most definitely NOT a dolphin, ma'am. Roxbury guys: Before their movie, Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan clubbed hard on "SNL." One of their best sketches included host Jim Carrey. (It's) Pat: Never before has androgyny been so much fun. PS: Pat was played by a lady, Julia Sweeney, if you didn't know. The Ambiguously Gay Duo: Ace and Gary oftentimes found themselves in ... precarious ... situations. Now what is everyone looking at? Stuart Smalley: Al Franken's "Daily Affirmations" character made our list because he's good enough, he's smart enough, and doggone it, people like him. Dooneese: Kristen Wiig's "Lawrence Welk Show" character isn't much to look at, but she also can't sing at all.

Killer Bees: The Killer Bees have the distinction of being the first recurring characters on "Saturday Night Live" -- and they came back A LOT, mostly to spite network brass. "Celebrity Jeopardy!" gang: You can't pick one: Alex Trebek (Will Ferrell), Burt Reynolds (Norm Macdonald) and Sean Connery (Darrell Hammond) were magic when they got together. Gumby: Eddie Murphy is Gumby, damnit! Sorry Pokey, you didn't make the cut. The Ladies Man: Tim Meadows' character liked the fairer sex even more than he dug Courvoisier -- and we loved him for that. The Gap Girls: Chris Farley, David Spade and Adam Sandler always had fun when they got together. Add cross-dressing and mall food court gossip and it gets even better. The Festrunk Brothers: Steve Martin and Dan Aykroyd's "Wild and Crazy Guys" birthed those Roxbury guys we talked about earlier. Know your history, kids! Bill Swerski's Superfans: These Chicago sports fans love Da Bulls and Da Bears as much as they love bear and Polish sausage. Seen here with their cherished Michael Jordan.

The Continental: Christopher Walken's recurring character was really forward with the ladies. He may have lacked game, but was never short on ascots. Hans and Franz: The Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon duo were here to pump people up way before Aaron Rodgers and State Farm Insurance ever entered the power-lifting fray. Samurai Futaba: John Belushi's samurai skills didn't translate to many other professions, most-notably working as an accountant and in a delicatessen. Coneheads: The Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman family were not of this Earth -- and you would have never noticed if not for their accents. Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer: Ladies and gentlemen, this classic Phil Hartman character was just a caveman -- things in our modern world frighten and confuse him. Richard Layer: Rob Schneider's Richmeister was thrilled anytime someone in his office needed to use the Xerox machine. He had as many nicknames for his colleagues as they made copies. Father Guido Sarducci: Don Novello was a writer for "SNL," where he famously brought the chain-smoking, tinted-glasses-wearing priest.

Though the show popularized the character, it wasn't the origination point for Father Guido. Jack Handey: Jack Handey was the real name of a real "Saturday Night Live" writer who had real funny "Deep Thoughts" during the 1990s. George W. Bush (Will Ferrell): "SNL" was carried for several years by Ferrell, whose George W. Bush impersonation was so popular that he scored a successful and critically acclaimed one-man show on Broadway. Mister Robinson: Eddie Murphy's play on "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" was meant for adult audiences. Where Rogers' town was lovely in every way, Robinson's was terrifying, but incredibly funny. Robert Goulet (Will Ferrell): Ferrell's Goulet was completely ridiculous -- complete with a catchphrase of just exclaiming "Goulet!" at random times to punctuate a sentence. It was also hilarious, handing Ferrell another well-deserved spot on this Top 40 list. Irwin Mainway: Dan Aykroyd's sleazy salesman would do anything for a buck -- even it involved selling a Bag O'Glass to children at Christmastime.

That kind of dedication qualifies Mainway as an icon in our eyes. Mr. Bill: The clay character was constantly in danger over the course of his 20-plus show appearances. It's currently unclear if the figure lived long enough to come back for "SNL 40." Previous Slide Top 10 Eddie Murphy Characters - Top 10 Films Top 10 Films Tag: axel foley , best characters , beverly hills cop , bowfinger , coming to america , eddie murphy , nutty professor , shrek , trading places Eddie Murphy has given us some of Hollywood’s most memorable comic performances . Here we look at the best characters to grace his movies including Reggie Hammond in 48 Hrs & Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop… Eddie Murphy might now only be good for mouthing the words of an animated donkey but for years he gave us some of Hollywood’s best comedy characters. The Brooklyn-born actor performed stand-up at the same comedy club where Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg frequented before helping revitalise Saturday Night Live during its 1980s slump.

He made his big screen debut alongside Nick Nolte in Walter Hill’s 48 Hrs and followed it with a string a successful films including Beverly Hills Cop, Trading Places and Coming To America. The mid-1990s saw Murphy’s career slump. However, despite being caught by police in 1997 with a transvestite prostitute in his car and having a baby in 2006 with Scary Spice, he still managed to put his unique comic talent on some wonderfully inspired characters. The Nutty Professor’s eccentric family where Murphy played the title character as well as several other people including Sherman Klump’s mother, father, brother and grandmother, his dual role in Steve Martin’s brilliant Bowfinger, and the smart-talking donkey in Shrek spring to mind. What are your favourite Eddie Murphy films and characters? 10. Donkey (Shrek, Adamson, 2001) He might be digitally animated but Eddie Murphy brings Donkey to life with the quick-lipped, wise-ass remarks that made him a big name star in the 1980s.

This larger than life four-legged friend is the perfect sidekick for the overweight Ogre and title character Shrek (played with a Scottish accent by Mike Myers). 9. Reggie Hammond (48 Hrs., Hill, 1982) Eddie Murphy’s Reggie Hammond is another sidekick but of a much different ilk to the family-friendly Donkey portrayed in Shrek. Here Murphy is a prison inmate granted 48 hours leave to help rugged, perennially pissed off cop Nick Nolte track his ex-partners. The film works because of the anti-buddy movie relationship that formulates between Murphy and Nolte. 8. Billy Ray Valentine (Trading Places, Landis, 1983) A street hustler who is given free reign of the rich Duke and Duke brokerage, Murphy’s Billy Ray Valentine has to join forces with Dan Aykroyd to gain revenge for the greedy dealings of the Duke brothers. To great comedy actors deliver fine performances in on of John Landis’s best films (link to top 10 John Landis). 7. Jiff Ramsey (Bowfinger, Oz, 1999) In Bowfinger, Murphy plays two characters – Hollywood superstar Kit Ramsey and his wayward brother Jiff.

When Steve Martin’s Bowfinger begins making a movie with Kit Ramsey without the paranoid actor knowing he’s actually being filmed, he needs brother Jiff, who looks strikingly like his rich and famous sibling, to stand in for the close-ups. Eddie Murphy is great in the film but Jiff is the stand out – a goofy version of his persona that is brilliantly written by Steve Martin. 6. Saul (Coming to America, Landis, 1988) Eddie Murphy is almost unrecognisable as Saul, the Jewish barbershop customer, who sings the praises of Muhammad Ali and pronounces all his W’s as V’s. “A man has the right to change his name to vatever he vants to change it to. And if a man vants to be called Muhammad Ali, godammit this is a free country, you should respect his vishes, and call the man Muhammad Ali!” 5.

Grandma Klump (The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, Segal, 2000) The over-sexed, over-the-hill granny allows Murphy to dress up as a woman and have fun placing the image of an old lady in various positions first discovered by the Karma Sutra, in audience’s minds. At a family meal she quips: “Oh, yeah Cletus? Me and Isaac might be dried up geriatrics, but ain’t nothing wrong with Isaac’a love tackle.” 4. Clarence (Coming to America, Landis, 1988) Unrecognisable as Saul, the Jewish customer of Clarence’s barber shop, Eddie Murphy’s characters from John Landis’ Coming To America could have all featured on this list. But I stumped for Joe Lewis-loving New York native Clarence at No. 4, the happy-go-lucky barber who cuts off Price Akeem’s royal ponytail and frequently recalls the day Frank Sinatra came into his shop. “One time Frank Sinatra came in here and sat in this chair.

I said Frank “you hang out with Joe Louis, just between me and you, how old is Joe Louis.” You know what Frank told me, he said “Hey, Joe Louis is 137 years old.” A hundred and thirty-seven years old!” 3. Papa Klump (The Nutty Professor, Shadyac, 1996) As father to the Klump family in The Nutty Professor, Murphy is in his element. In both the first film and the sequel he has some great one-liners including his retort to his wife’s openness to colonic irrigation. He says, “You talkin’ ’bout puttin’ the tubes up somebody’s ass, And i can’t break wind?” 2. Randy Watson (Coming to America, Landis, 1988) Eddie Murphy, in one of several brilliantly funny roles in Coming To America, can’t better Sexual Chocolate’s lead singer Randy Watson. The obnoxious vocalist, who performs Greatest Love of All at the Black Awareness Rally, stamps his feet at the end of the performance repeating the band’s name over and over to a bemused audience. Give it up for Sexual Chocolate! 1.

Axel Foley (Beverly Hills Cop, Brest, 1984) Eddie Murphy’s finest and most endearing character is Axel Foley in the Beverly Hills Cop films. The tough but easygoing cop becomes the fish out of water when he leaves the cold, violent streets of Detroit for the sunny skies and warm Pacific breeze of Los Angeles. Once there he tries to solve the murder of a friend but his unconventional methods soon bring him to the attention of the straight-laced, preppy detective Billy Rosewood and his by-the-book partner Sergeant Taggart. The three characters make a great team, their disparate personalities proving that opposites attract. Written and compiled by Dan Stephens . Discover More on Top10Films.co.uk: Beverly Hills Cop (2/10) Movie CLIP - Serge & Achmed (1984) HD - YouTube Beverly Hills Cop (2/10) Movie CLIP - Serge & Achmed (1984) HD Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. The interactive transcript could not be loaded. Loading... Rating is available when the video has been rented.

This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Uploaded on Oct 9, 2011 Beverly Hills Cop movie clips: BUY THE MOVIE: Don't miss the HOTTEST NEW TRAILERS: CLIP DESCRIPTION: Axel (Eddie Murphy) meets Serge (Bronson Pinchot), a flamboyant Beverly Hills art gallery clerk. FILM DESCRIPTION: What's that wisecracking young black guy (Eddie Murphy) in that beat-up Chevy Nova doing in lily-white Beverly Hills? He's Axel Foley, a Detroit detective who's been sent on involuntary vacation because he refuses to drop his intention of avenging his friend's murder. Warned by Beverly Hills police chief Ronny Cox to stay out of trouble, Foley nonetheless dogs the trail of above-the-law Steven Berkoff, the British crime czar who was responsible for the murder of Foley's friend. With the help of sympathetic local cops Judge Reinhold and John Ashton and lady friend Lisa Eilbacher, Foley attempts to corner Berkoff in his mansion, which leads to a wild slapsticky shootout.

CREDITS: Cast: Philip Levien, Eddie Murphy, Bronson Pinchot, Lisa Eilbacher Director: Martin Brest Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, Linda Horner, Mike Moder, Don Simpson Screenwriters: Danilo Bach, Daniel Petrie Jr. WHO ARE WE? The MOVIECLIPS channel is the largest collection of licensed movie clips on the web. Here you will find unforgettable moments, scenes and lines from all your favorite films. Made by movie fans, for movie fans. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MOVIE CHANNELS: Beverly Hills Cop (1984) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error A freewheeling Detroit cop pursuing a murder investigation finds himself dealing with the very different culture of Beverly Hills.

Director: From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON DISC a list of 24 titles created 19 Jun 2011 a list of 37 titles created 10 Sep 2012 a list of 25 titles created 13 Mar 2013 a list of 40 titles created 15 Aug 2014 a list of 30 titles created 01 Dec 2015 Title: Beverly Hills Cop (1984) 7.3/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations. See more awards » Photos Axel Foley returns to Beverly Hills to help Taggart and Rosewood investigate Chief Bogomil's near-fatal shooting and the series of "alphabet crimes" associated with it. Director: Tony Scott Axel Foley, while investigating a car theft ring, comes across something much bigger than that: the same men who shot his boss are running a counterfeit money ring out of a theme park in Los Angeles.

Director: John Landis An extremely pampered African prince travels to Queens, New York City, and goes undercover to find a wife whom he can respect for her intelligence and will. Director: John Landis A hard-nosed cop reluctantly teams up with a wise-cracking criminal temporarily paroled to him, in order to track down a killer. Director: Walter Hill A snobbish investor and a wily street con artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires. Director: John Landis Jack Cates once again enlists the aid of ex-con Reggie Hammond--this time, to take down The Iceman, a ruthless drug lord operating in the San Francisco bay area. Director: Walter Hill Grossly overweight yet good-hearted professor Sherman Klump takes a special chemical that turns him into the slim but obnoxious Buddy Love. Director: Tom Shadyac A private detective specializing in missing children is charged with the task of finding a special child who dark forces want to eliminate. Director: Michael Ritchie Riggs and Murtaugh are on the trail of South African diplomats who are using their immunity to engage in criminal activities.

Director: Richard Donner A veteran policeman, Murtaugh, is partnered with a younger, suicidal officer, Riggs. They both have one thing in common: hating working in pairs. Now they must learn to work with one another to stop a gang of drug smugglers. Director: Richard Donner A Florida con man uses the passing of the long time Congressman from his district who he just happens to share a name with, to get elected to his version of paradise, Congress, where the ... See full summary » Director: Jonathan Lynn A group of good-hearted but incompetent misfits enter the police academy, but the instructors there are not going to put up with their pranks. Director: Hugh Wilson Edit Storyline Detroit cop Axel Foley is delighted when he receives a surprise visit from his best friend Mikey Tandino, who lives in California. Not long after Mikey arrives in Detroit, Mikey is killed, right in front of Axel, by a man named Zack. Axel follows Zack to Beverly Hills, California, where Beverly Hills police department Lieutenant Andrew Bogomil assigns Detective Billy Rosewood and Rosewood's partner, Sergeant John Taggart, to keep an eye on Axel. Axel visits his friend Jenny Summers, who works in an art gallery.

With Jenny's help, Axel discovers that Zack works for Jenny's boss, Victor Maitland, the man who owns the art gallery. Maitland is a drug kingpin who is using the gallery as a front, and Maitland had Zack kill Mikey after Maitland accused Mikey of stealing some of Maitland's bonds. With the help of Jenny, Billy, and Taggart, Axel does what he can to make sure Maitland and Zack won't kill any more people. Written by Todd Baldridge Did You Know? Trivia The concept for the film was generated in 1975 by Michael Eisner , who was head of Paramount Pictures at the time. While driving an old station wagon that he first owned in New York City, Eisner was stopped for speeding on the freeway, and the police officer treated him with condescension due to the condition of his vehicle. Eisner realized how much status in Los Angeles, CA, was driven by materialism, and reportedly exchanged the station wagon for a Mercedes Benz the following day. However, he became dedicated to enshrining the event in a film about a Beverly Hills policeman.

In the coming years, Eisner remained dissatisfied with potential scripts until Daniel Petrie, Jr., who had never been credited as a feature film writer, submitted his screenplay in Sep 1983. See more » Goofs The bananas that Axel uses to disable the car are not the ones he was given. See more » Quotes Eddie Murphy - Film Actor, Television Actor, Comedian, Director - Biography.com » quotes “I'd like to produce, direct, write, score, and star in a film in exactly the way Chaplin did. I'll do that before I'm 30.” “I'm relaxed about my career. I've been making movies for over 20 years, so I've earned at least the right to relax.” Eddie Murphy Eddie Murphy - Admiration for Bruce Lee (TV-14; 1:05) Eddie Murphy describes his admiration for Bruce Lee's ability to reach an audience. Synopsis Eddie Murphy was born in Brooklyn on April 3, 1961. He began doing stand-up comedy as a teenager and later joined the cast of NBC's Saturday Night Live.

At age 21, Murphy co-starred with Nick Nolte in 48 Hours and went on to further box-office success with Trading Places and Beverly Hills Cop. He continues to star in many movies, including comedies, dramas and family films. Early Life Eddie Regan Murphy was born on April 3, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York. He spent his early years in the projects of Bushwick with his father, Charles Murphy, a New York City police officer and amateur comedian, his mother, Lillian Murphy, a telephone operator, and his brother Charles. His parents divorced when he was three; five years later, his father died and his mother went into the hospital for an extended period. When Murphy was 9 years old, his mother married Vernon Lynch, a foreman at a Breyer's ice cream factory, and the family moved to the primarily African-American suburb of Roosevelt, Long Island. Murphy watched a lot of television growing up and developed a great skill for impressions, doing such characters as Bugs Bunny, Bullwinkle, and Sylvester the Cat. "My mother says I never talked in my own voice," Murphy later said.

Although he was never a dedicated student, Murphy found a great forum for his verbal agility in grade school, excelling in the popular game of "ranking"—trading witty insults with classmates. Hosting a talent show at the Roosevelt Youth Center at age 15, Murphy delighted his young audience with an impersonation of Al Green. This early success ignnited a passion for showbiz, and Murphy began working on his comedy routines after school and performing stand-up at local bars, clubs, and "gong shows." His schoolwork suffered, however, and Murphy had to repeat the 10th grade as a result. By doubling up on classes, and attending summer and night school, he graduated only a couple of months late. Murphy was voted the "most popular" boy in his graduating class. His declared career plan: comedian. Mainstream Success Responding to the pleas of his mother, Eddie Murphy enrolled at Nassau Community College and worked part-time as a shoe store clerk. He continued to perform in local clubs, and eventually worked his way into such New York City venues as the Comic Strip, billing himself as a disciple of the great comedian Richard Pryor.

Although his raunchy, profanity-ridden routines resembled his idol's, Murphy stayed away from drinking, smoking, and drugs, and would later declare to Barbara Walters, "I don't have to sniff cocaine to make me funny." When Murphy learned that the producers of NBC's popular late night comedy show, Saturday Night Live, were seeking a black cast member for the 1980-81 season, he jumped on the opportunity. He auditioned for the part six times, and finally earned a place as an extra on the show. He appeared sporadically throughout the season, until one fateful night when producers realized they had four minutes of airtime remaining and no material. They pushed Murphy before the camera, and told him to do his stand-up routine. His improvised performance was called "masterful" by Rolling Stone, and Murphy became one of only two cast members (along with Joe Piscopo) asked back for the next season. Murphy became Saturday Night Live' s strongest comedic presence, creating such memorable characters as Mister Robinson, an urban version of TV's Mister Rogers; an older version of the Little Rascals character, Buckwheat; and an illiterate convict and poet named Tyrone Green.

He also continued his skillful impersonations, adding Bill Cosby, Muhammad Ali, James Brown, Jerry Lewis, and Stevie Wonder to his repertoire. Murphy received criticism for his satirical characterizations based on black stereotypes. He defended his performances, claiming that his characters were far too absurd and abstract to be taken seriously. On the Big Screen In 1982, Murphy received a Grammy nomination for a live album of fresh stand-up material called Eddie Murphy: Comedian. The album eventually went gold. That same year, at the age of 21, he also landed his first major motion picture role alongside Nick Nolte in 48 Hours (1982). He approached the role with confidence and ingenuity, convincing director Walter Hill to adjust some of the dialogue to more genuinely depict a black speaker. His charming and inspired performance as the fast-talking convict stole the film, and 48 Hours grossed over $5 million in its first week. Murphy followed this success with the 1930s style farce Trading Places (1983).

Playing alongside fellow SNL alumnus Dan Aykroyd, Murphy's street-wise Billy Ray Valentine becomes the victim, then the victor, of two Wall Street moguls' short-sighted bet. Paramount Pictures proceeded to sign the 23-year-old to a $25 million contract for six pictures. Murphy's next film, Beverly Hills Cop (1984), hit No. 9 on the list of all-time box-office hits. He played bad boy/good cop Axel Foley, a role originally slated for Sylvester Stallone. His performance was a hit with fans, and earned the actor a Golden Globe nomination. Taking advantage of his status as a hot commodity, Murphy released his first album How Could it Be?, which was produced by music legend Rick James. The first single off the album, "Party All the Time," peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Murphy went on the make Beverly Hills Cop II in 1987, which received mixed reviews from critics, but major rewards from the box office.

His other efforts of this period—including The Golden Child (1986) and his directorial debut, Harlem Nights (1989)—were deemed failures by critics and audiences alike. A highlight of his career during this time was the romantic comedy Coming to America (1988), co-starring Arsenio Hall. In the film, both Murphy and Hall were able to demonstrate their comedic versatilty by playing multiple characters within the film. Audiences loved Murphy's performances and the movie became a box-office smash, grossing more than $128 million in the U.S. alone. Prostitution Incident In 1990, Murphy starred in a sequel to his popular film, 48 Hours called Another 48 Hours. The second film did not perform to the same standards as the first, and Murphy decided to take a break from the Hollywood scene. He returned in 1992 as a smooth, impeccably dressed bachelor in the film Boomerang, co-starring Halle Berry. The film met mixed reviews, but many critics found Murphy's performance as a romantic lead a step in the right direction.

He followed the success of the film with Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) and Vampire in Brooklyn (1995), both low performers at the box office. In 1996, Murphy rediscovered his love for over-the-top comedic invention in a hit remake of the Jerry Lewis film The Nutty Professor. Murphy earned a Golden Globe nomination and an Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films Award for his role in the film. In May of 1997, Murphy earned some unfortunate publicity when he was discovered by L.A. police with a transsexual prostitute. He claimed he was merely trying to give the prostitute a ride. The incident made him the target of jokes nonetheless. Continued Success Despite the scandal in his personal life, Murphy went on to feature in a variety of family films. He played the voice of Mushu the Lizard in Disney's animated picture Mulan (1998) to enormous critical praise, and starred in the family film, Doctor Doolittle (1998). In 1999, Murphy starred in the comedy Bowfinger, costarring Steve Martin, who also wrote the screenplay.

Nutty Professor II: The Klumps was released in the summer of 2000, with Murphy featured as all six lead characters. He also voiced the lead character, superintendent Thurgood Stubbs, on The PJs, an animated TV show for which he also serves as executive producer. In the summer of 2001, Murphy had two more big box-office successes, starring in Dr. Doolittle 2 and lending his voice to the character of Donkey in the animated feature Shrek, also featuring the voices of Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz. In 2003, Murphy starred in yet another family comedy, this time as an overwhelmed babysitter in Daddy Day Care. The following year, he revived Donkey for the hit sequel Shrek 2. In 2006, Murphy signed on for what was arguably his most demanding film to date, a screen adaptation of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, featuring Jennifer Hudson. His performance as soul singer James "Thunder" Early earned him a Golden Globe award and an Academy Award nomination. In 2007, Murphy appeared in Norbit and Shrek the Third.

In 2011, Murphy starred in the comedy Tower Heist with Ben Stiller and Casey Affleck. In 2015, Eddie Murphy received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor which "recognizes people who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th century novelist and essayist best known as Mark Twain," according to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which presents the award. Personal Life Murphy married Nicole Mitchell on March 18, 1993. They have five children together: Bria, Myles, Shayne, Zola and Bella. The couple divorced on April 17, 2006. That year, Murphy began dating singer Melanie Brown of the Spice Girls. On April 3, 2007, Brown gave birth to a daughter, Angel, who she said was Murphy’s child. Murphy questioned paternity, but a DNA test confirmed he was Angel's father. On New Year’s Day in 2008, Murphy married Tracey Edmonds, the former wife of Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, in Bora Bora.

The private ceremony was not legally binding, and Murphy and Edmonds planned to repeat their vows on American soil. However, the couple released a statement that they had jointly decided against a legal ceremony. In 2012, Murphy began dating Paige Butcher. Videos Eddie Murphy to Reprise Axel Foley Role in New 'Beverly Hills Cop' Movie | Moviefone Eddie Murphy to Reprise Axel Foley Role in New 'Beverly Hills Cop' Movie Cue up Harold Faltermeyer's "Axel F," because "Beverly Hills Cop" is headed back to the big screen . While plans to bring Eddie Murphy's beloved Axel Foley to the small screen have stalled, the pilot sparked enough interest that Paramount has jump-started work on a fourth feature film, reports Deadline. And in even better news, Murphy will return to the franchise for more banana-in-the-tailpipe exploits. The series started in 1984, with the Martin Brest-directed original, which featured Eddie Murphy as Foley, a fast-talking Detroit cop who relocates to Beverly Hills to solve a crime. There, he's paired with Judge Reinhold's ultra-square cop and generally pisses everyone off.

The character returned for a stylish blockbuster sequel, directed by Tony Scott, in 1987, and officially went off the rails with the goofy third installment, directed by John Landis and released in 1994. In a recent interview, Landis told Moviefone that the third movie was made during a time when Murphy didn't want to be funny, he wanted to be considered along with Denzel Washington and Wesley Snipes as a big-time black action star. Clearly that didn't work out. This fourth movie was spurred on by the pilot for the "Beverly Hills Cop" television series, which was intended to go to CBS this season, but for whatever reason didn't make it to series. Inspired by the buzz surrounding both the pilot (executive produced by Murphy and "The Shield" mastermind Shawn Ryan) and Murphy's brief walk-on as Axel Foley, the studio felt comfortable fast-tracking a new "Beverly Hills Cop" movie. Plot specifics haven't been released, but the script -- to be written by "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" team Josh Appelbaum and Andrew Nemec -- should follow the hilarious fish-out-of-water formula of the previous films.

Hopefully it will allow Murphy to let loose once again; those first two movies are absolutely stunning showcases for his raw comedic talent. Also, can we start an online petition for the new movie to include Bronson Pinchot's Serge character? The Top 10 Eddie Murphy Movies | Fandango Already a Fandango VIP? Sign In The Top 10 Eddie Murphy Movies The Top 10 Eddie Murphy Movies The trademark chuckle, his wide-eyed smile, and Murphy's endless wisecracks and impersonations made him (at least in his heyday) the biggest movie star in the world. While we're not sure yet where A Thousand Words belongs in the overall Murphy canon, here's a look back at our top 10 favorite Eddie Murphy movies. 10. Dreamgirls Ok, Dreamgirls isn't really an "Eddie Murphy movie," but it is the only one that garnered him an Oscar nomination. As singer James "Thunder" Early, Murphy dazzled audiences as a performer who's as affable as he is flawed. Once known as a comic who riffed on legends like James Brown, and sang novelty pop tunes like "Party All the Time," here, Murphy proved that he can sing, dance and act. 9.

The Nutty Professor For a lot of his fans, there's pre-N.P. Murphy and post-N.P. Murphy. The post-Nutty Professor is the family guy who minds his P's and Q's and appeals to the kiddies in strictly G to PG, broad comedy fare like Doctor Dolittle, Daddy Day Care and Norbit. The pre-Nutty Murphy liked to use the F word, and other colorful phrases, in adult comedy classics like 48 Hrs. and Beverly Hills Cop. Choose your potion, but in the actual Nutty Professor, Murphy showed his gift for taking on multiple performances and was completely charming as Professor Klump. 8. Beverly Hills Cop II It's slick, fast, completely implausible, and highly entertaining. In 1987, Eddie Murphy was at the top of his game, and it showed in his second outing as Detroit cop Axel Foley. This time, Top Gun director Tony Scott adds his distinctive razzle dazzle, and Axel's whole schtick (down to the cool jacket, sunglasses and niftier haircut) seems a bit more polished. No matter.

It's still a kick to see him having fun in his usual relaxed, street saavy way, especially when paired with that '80s Laurel & Hardy - Detectives Billy Roseweed, er, wood, and Sergeant Taggart. 7. Eddie Murphy: Delirious Coming in at #7 is one of the all-time great stand-up comedy concerts, the rude, crude, ultra-un-p.c. and over-the-top raunchy Delirious. Some might deem a lot of what's here fairly offensive, and they'd be right. But, Murphy's impersonations of everyone from Michael Jackson to Stevie Wonder to Mr. T and Ralph Kramden are spot on, and the whole family BBQ bit, especially the drunk uncle, Big Foot and "Gooney Goo" routines, are classic. It's Murphy as a young artist, fearless and ready and willing to say and do whatever he wants. 6. Shrek At the opposite end of the Delirious spectrum is Shrek, a fun animated adventure that rivals Pixar's creations, and teamed up first-rate SNL alums Mike Myers as the ogre Shrek and Eddie Murphy as his pal Donkey.

While Shrek's the star, and we love Myers whenever he sports that cool, unruly Scottish brogue (especially as the dad in So I Married an Axe Murderer), we also get a huge kick out of Murphy's overexcited sidekick. Throw in some pop culture references and tunes, and voila, a royally funny cartoon fit for two more sequels. 5. Coming to America Murphy's tale of a royal prince coming to America to find his bride has been somewhat overlooked over the years. It's got a lot of funny bits (anything in the barbershop, with Murphy and Arsenio Hall playing various patrons and barbers, is comedy gold). Director Landis spares no expense on production value, and this was one of the first times we saw Murphy playing a clean-cut character, less foul-mouthed and street smart, but equally likeable. 4. Trading Places This John Landis comedy stars Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd as, respectively, a street hustler and a commodities broker who unknowingly "trade places" as part of a bet between tycoon brothers Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy. Murphy, in only his second big screen role, couldn't be more hilarious.

The role fits him like a glove, and it was evident to everyone watching (and a lot were watching at this point), that Murphy had arrived, fully formed, ready to rule the entertainment world. 3. Bowfinger Some might think that Trading Places deserves to be higher than Bowfinger, but, to quote another 1999 movie, "Take a closer look." The Frank Oz comedy, pairing comedic geniuses Murphy and Steve Martin in a tale of small-time movie-making, is extremely witty and entertaining. It's also the best movie starring Eddie Murphy in two captivating roles: 'Jiff' Ramsey, an employee at Blockbuster who has a special way of saying "Awesome"; and his brother Kit Ramsey, the biggest action movie star on the planet. Martin co-stars as the title character, and also wrote the deft script, but it's Murphy who's unforgettable as these two oddball, winning comic creations. 2. 48 Hrs. In 1982, the buddy cop comedy was born. Lethal Weapon, Rush Hour, Tango & Cash, Bad Boys, etc. All of those movies owe a debt to the comedy-thriller that set the bar for classic love-hate partnerships born out of necessity and bullets.

Nick Nolte is the tough-as-nails cop forced to team up with Eddie Murphy's slick convict to take down some nasty cop killers. Their banter is hilarious, but watch especially for Murphy's legendary scene shaking down the locals in a redneck bar. There was a "new sheriff" in town, and his name was Eddie Murphy. 1. Beverly Hills Cop It's hard to believe Sylvester Stallone was once considered for the title role. One of moviedom's most classic comedy characters arrived in 1984 by the name of Axel Foley ("Acquel? Ackmel?" asks Bronson's Pinchot's hilarious, near-undecipherable art gallery assistant..."No, that's Ax-el Foley"). The movie is one of the greatest action comedies, and Murphy was forever immortalized as the silly, endearing police officer who turns Beverly Hills and the world on its head, sticking bananas in tail pipes, ruining buffets at the country club, and doing whatever he can to solve the crime, have a good time and make sure everyone in shouting distance has as much fun as he does. Mission accomplished. Cue theme music. Replay Slideshow

Question: In the Beverley Hills Cop films, what is the name of the character played by Eddie Murphy?
Answer: AXEL FOLEY