Murphy, Ashton, Reinhold and others return for the sequel, Beverly Hills Cop II, which was directed by Tony Scott from a screenplay by Larry Ferguson and Warren Skaaren and released in 1987. This is a well-known, beloved ‘80s action comedy for a reason: Eddie Murphy. This may be routine cops-versus-criminals folly, but Murphy is a true on-screen talent, and he buoys everyone around him, particularly Reinhold and Ashton. The film's soundtrack, including the instrumental "Axel F" that serves as the title theme and tunes from Patti LaBelle, The Pointer Sisters and Glenn Frey, is also memorable, and the film has that raw, realistic feeling of ‘80s actioners thanks to its practical effects and on-location photography. Beverly Hills Cop is, however, very funny, and the action is exciting thanks to Murphy's charisma. The film itself is a relatively routine action comedy, and there is nothing particularly unique about the mystery at its heart. It is hard not to smile as Murphy cons, confuses and tricks his way across Beverly Hills, and Murphy is at the top of his game here.
Martin Brest directs Beverly Hills Cop from a screenplay by Daniel Petrie Jr., and once-powerhouse duo Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer produce for Paramount Pictures. John Taggart (John Ashton), but when Foley proves his worth, the men begin a reluctant partnership and discover Mikey's dealings with a dangerous local businessman, Victor Maitland (Steve Berkoff). Foley initially humiliates and infuriates local officers Det. Against the explicit orders of his boss back in Detroit, Inspector Todd (Gil Hill), Foley contacts an acquaintance on the ground, Jenny Summers (Lisa Eilbacher), and begins piecing together clues about the murdered Mikey. Murphy first introduced fast-talking Detroit cop Axel Foley in 1984's Beverly Hills Cop, in which Foley initially travels to Beverly Hills, California, to investigate the murder of a childhood friend, Mikey (James Russo). These films shine because of star Eddie Murphy, whose recent career renaissance after an extended dry spell is very welcome. Beverly Hills Cop and its sequel are two of the better such films, and 1994's belated Part III is not quite as bad as its reputation. There is just something about a good ‘80s action comedy that warms my cold heart.