"Beverly Hill's Cop" has all the makings of a classic 80's movie, the charismatic persona of Eddie Murphy, an upbeat and catchy synthesizer's beat and a likability factor that tie up all these elements together, so its iconic status can't be denied regardless of whether you've actually enjoyed it or not. But that doesn't make it immune to fair criticism, is the film a classic? Yes. Is it funny? Now , that's tricky.We're in 2017, and Martin Brest's film still holds up very well and is considered as one of the most defining comedies of the 80's. I wouldn't say it's one of the funniest and I always felt an affront to comedies that "Ghostbusters" and "Beverly Hill Cops" are listed in AFI's Top 100 Funniest Movies while the laugh-riot of the year "Top Secret!" has been overlooked. No offense to these two classics, but by Bill Murray's own admittance, Ramis' classic leaned toward Sci-fi and special effects at the expenses of comedy during the whole third act, and "Beverly Hills Cops" features a cold-blooded murder at point blank on the head, for Pete's sake. For a comedy, it's quite a heavy movie but there are reasons why "Beverly Hills Cops" is a classic.The film features Eddie Murphy at the top of his game as a street-smart loudmouthed, foulmouthed Detroit cop, Axel Folley, who investigates (officiously, he's supposed to be in vacation) the murder of his friend, an ex-convict killed by his boss' right-hand man, played by a sinister Jonathan Banks, the bigger bad guy is an art deal but drug smuggler operating in Beverly Hills and played with the faux suaveness of a Bond bad- guy by Steven Berkoff. The comedic moments generally emerge comes from the situations when Folley, discovers the manners of Beverly Hills and the procedural of the Police Deparment. His constant arguments with Taggart (John Ashton) and Bogomil (Ronny Cox) are always entertaining, so is the way Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) is always the only one to empathize with Folley, or find his jokes funny.But to be honest, the film doesn't hold up to its reputation for one simple reason, it always gets to the obvious. The plot is rather formulaic and consists on a really mean bad guy, not even likable on a vile level, who's confronted by Folley at various circumstances and who could have been easily gotten away if he didn't decide to kidnap his friend at the end, the climax is a banal shootout and doesn't leave much to the imagination. You've got to wonder why it ended up being nominated for Best Original Screenplay, even a moment that could have been the inspiration for a hilarious monologue, when Eddie Murphy checks out at the hotel, turns into a "that's because I'm black" shtick. Just compare that moment to the magnificent hotel lobby room sequence in "This is Spinal Tap" and you'll find the line between good and lazy writing.That's how the film felt, lazy, obvious and oblivious to its obviousness. I enjoyed it as far I enjoyed Eddie Murphy but if he can make a movie good, he can't carry a plot alone, this is why "Trading Places" and "Coming to America" were better, they had Dan Aykroyd, Don Ameche, Ralph Bellamy, Arsenio Hall, John Amos and James Earl Jones... "Beverly Hills Cop" is the Eddie Murphy show combined with a banal cop flick, it gets slightly better when it evolves toward a triangular buddy movie, so much better that you can even feel some vibes of "Lethal Weapon", a film that doesn't have the pretension to be a comedy, but was as enjoyable and even lighthearted as "Beverly Hill Cop".But after "Lethal Weapon" and the great chemistry between Gibson and Glover, the "Beverly Hills Cop" sequels sucked by comparison.Maybe the theme of the film contributed to its popularity, now that should have been nominated for an Oscar; not the screenplay. Again, Eddie Murphy is such a great presence I forgive everything but wish there was more part showcasing the differences between the Detroit and the Beverly Hills lifestyle, and more inspired bits than impersonating a homosexual or complaining of black, that felt like old stuff even by 80's standards. The film becomes better once you expect a cop movie, maybe that's how they should have label it. But who'll believe in a dramatic Eddie Murphy anyway?

A freewheeling Detroit cop pursuing a murder investigation finds himself dealing with the very different culture of Beverly Hills. Beverly Hills Cop is the first film of the Trilogy starring Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley and for many still the best one and it truly is, Murphy shines as Foley he is funny, energetic and super cool to hang out probably. The 2 cops that eventually help him are also pretty good Judge Reinhold as Det. Billy Rosewood and John Ashton as Sgt. Taggart. We also get a closer look at Ronny Cox in this film as Lt. Bogomil long before he faced Robocop and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Jonathan Banks our favorite pal Mike from Breaking Bad also shows up as one of the goons of Steven Berkoff (Rambo First Blood Part II). It's action packed, funny and full of heart and great 80's songs plus that Banana moment never gets old. (A+)

"Beverly Hills Cop", besides being a solid drama, is one of the best comedies of its time. Here are some of the reasons:1. This fish out of water story take Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) from Detroit to Beverly Hills--a significant juxtaposition that really provides opportunities for plenty of cultural incongruities that Murphy can mine. (One of the best examples is Axel's reaction to seeing two guys dressed in Michael Jackson-like attire.)2. Eddie Murphy is at his peak. He plays a fast talking, street savvy, hip and funny breaker of rules like no one else can.3. Murphy and the other actors were encouraged to improvise, and they made the dialogue much funnier. This is an essential part of the film's transformation from its original concept which was to star Sylvester Stallone.4. Axel's theme ("Axel F"), by Harold Faltermeyer, is a catchy theme that suits the main character.5. The soundtrack includes some of the most infectious melodies of the eighties, including Glenn Frey singing "The Heat is On", the energetic "Neutron Dance" by The Pointer Sisters, Patti LaBelle singing "Stir It Up" and "New Attitude", and "Nasty Girl" by Vanity.6. A chase that's like a demolition derby, crushing plenty of vehicles without hurting a soul.7. Two memorable villains portrayed by Steven Berkoff and Jonathan Banks.8. The Buddy Cop film that is within the film, featuring John Ashton (Sgt. Taggart) and Judge Reinhold (Det. Billy Rosewood) whose relationship manages to convey undertones of Laurel and Hardy. Reinhold's character is central to the film's commentary on morality vs. duty in much the same way that Murphy's character (Axel) lives by a personal code that supersedes all others.9. Bronson Pinchot's creation of the hilarious character Serge.

Axel Foley is a reckless Detroit detective. After the murder of his friend, he travels to California to investigate and track down the killer, who he believes operate an arts dealership as a cover in Beverly Hills. He teams up with two reluctant detectives from the Beverly Hills police force who were supposed to keep a watch on him. But after seeing Foley's different approach to tackling criminals and other illegitimate businesses, they have no other choice but to help him....Here's another movie that gives strong evidence as to 1984 being the best year for movies ever, Beverly Hills Cop isn't just a great action comedy, it's one of the greatest comedies ever made and personifies the eighties as a really great time to be growing up.Murphy easily peaked his career making this, and when watching this, you know that he knows he is making something special, something huge, and on such a straightforward concept.What makes it so iconic though is that you can tell that everyone is enjoying themselves making this, and how at ease everyone is with each other, almost making you feel that you are part of Foley's world, because he is such a likable, and relatable character.Murphy steals almost every scene that he's in, and each little situation almost feels like a comedy sketch, but the writes and narrative seamlessly add the sketch into the plot.The rest of the cast know that this is Murphy's vehicle and just let him go for it. The only Pearson in the film that usurps Murphy is one Bronson Pinchot, and that's only because his part is very short, but memorable for all the right reasons.It's a wonderful, bright, sunny movie that epitomises the eighties, and even the synth soundtrack and hilarious outfits, can't age this movie.Because laughter is timeless......