Beverly Hills Cop was released on Dec. 5, 1984 and it was a groundbreaking action-comedy film, introducing the world to the charismatic and energetic Detective Axel Foley. Eddie Murphy, quickly became a cultural phenomenon, spawning sequels and cementing Murphy’s status as a Hollywood superstar.
Fish-Out-of-Water Hero
The film’s premise was simple yet effective: a street-smart Detroit detective, known for his unorthodox methods, is sent to the affluent neighborhood of Beverly Hills to investigate a murder connected to his friend’s death. The fish-out-of-water dynamic, with Foley’s boisterous personality clashing with the more refined atmosphere of Beverly Hills, provided endless opportunities for humor and action.
Another Actor was set to play Axel Foley before Eddie Murphy
Sylvester Stallone was originally set to have the lead role in Beverly Hills Cop. After he did an extensive rewrite on the original script, the film played as a standard action movie (without the comic elements) that would require a significantly larger budget. Stallone also renamed the lead character to Axel Cobretti.
Stallone would drop out of the project to star in Rhinestone and went on to use his idea for Beverly Hills Cop as the outline for the 1986 film Cobra.
Stellar Cast
Beverly Hills Cop boasted a talented supporting cast, including Judge Reinhold (Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Gremlins) as the skeptical but ultimately loyal Detective Billy Rosewood and John Ashton (Midnight Run, Some Kind of Wonderful) as the bumbling Detective John Taggart.
Lisa Eilbacher (An Officer and a Gentlemen, 10 to Midnight) shines as Jenny Summers, Axel’s friend from Detroit who now lives in Beverly Hills.
Ronny Cox, who would go on to star as the villains in films such as Robocop and Total Recall, plays Lt. Bogomil, the Beverly Hills commanding officer forced to deal with Foley’s presence in town.
The chemistry between Murphy and his co-stars was palpable, elevating the film’s comedic moments.
Reception for Beverly Hills Cop
Beverly Hills Cop opened at No. 1 and stayed atop the box office for an astronomical 13 consecutive weeks and 14 of 15 weeks. The top grossing film released in 1984 made $234 million at the domestic box office. According to the-numbers.com, adjusted for inflation, Beverly Hills Cop‘s gross would be $730,714,743.
Three sequels would follow with Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024).
Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop (Photo/Paramount Pictures)
Cultural Impact
The film’s success can be attributed to several factors, including Murphy’s charismatic performance, the fast-paced action sequences, and the film’s iconic soundtrack, featuring the legendary “Axel F” theme song by Harold Faltermeyer, “The Heat is On” by Glenn Frey and “Neutron Dance” by the Pointer Sisters.”
Beverly Hills Cop not only entertained audiences but also captured the zeitgeist of the 1980s, with its blend of humor, action, and style.
Lasting Legacy
Beverly Hills Cop remains a beloved classic, inspiring countless imitators and influencing the genre of buddy cop films. Its impact on popular culture is undeniable, and its legacy continues to live on.
In recent years, the franchise has been revitalized with the release of Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F on Netflix. This latest installment, which reunited Murphy with his iconic role, proves that the character of Axel Foley still has the power to entertain audiences.
