Recent Reviews for Beverly Hills Cop II
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MCT:October 3, 2008Not appalling. One of those films from the 80s, if you liked the lead character, you could watch what is essentially a repeat showing.
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MCT:August 14, 2008Number one and three is better but this is still pretty good. The choise of the bad guys though was terrible! Brigitte Nielsen and Jürgen Prochnow sucked!
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MCT:August 4, 2008A worthy sequal.
While I don't think I enjoyed the story so much as the first, it was still a very funny romp.
Judge Reinhold is adorable as the 'quiet' cop. (it's always the quiet ones) -
MCT:July 28, 2008
Detroit police detective "Axl Foley" (Eddie Murphy) returns to Los Angeles when a friend (Ronny Cox) is wounded while investigating the high-profiled "Alphabet Crimes." He rejoins officers "Billy Rosewood" (Judge Reinhold) and "John Taggart" (John Ashton) in an effort to not only stop the string of robberies, but to find the person who wounded his friend, and to help bring the person or persons responsible for the robberies in.
This movie stands pretty much on its own, but it would be a good idea to look at the first movie to get a feel for main characters.
There is some pretty good action scenes, but none that really stand out. The gun-play is pretty much the same, however, surprisingly for a movie which is rated R, there is little to no blood.
The one thing that really works well in this movie is the Murphy/Reinhold/Ashton trio. They play off one another nicely, and make you feel as if you are watching people who have worked together before.
In my opinion, the villains just don't work quite well -- with exception to Brigitte Nielsen. They were quite toned down for villains I think.
What truly stands out is Murphy in the comedic parts. "Axl Foley" launched his career into movie Superstardom, and you can see why. Reinhold and Ashton do a good job playing the straight man to the comic timing of Murphy.
Another problem is the character development of the minor characters and the villains. There was little development on these characters.
Director Tony Scott�?s did a good job binding the comedy and action. However, none of his direction makes this stand out from other movies in the genre.
The only reason to see it is for the Murphy/Reinhold/Ashton team and, of course, the comedic brilliance of Murphy in general.
In my opinion, Beverly Hills Cop II is a good, not fantastic sequel to the first movie. -
MCT:July 28, 2008Eh! Tried to find the chemistry of the first movie and FAILED! Had a couple moments but not really good enough!
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MCT:July 11, 2008
"Are you driving with your eyes open? Or are you, like, using the Force?"
In Hollywood, if a film establishes a commendable paradigm for its desired genre then it's a common option to "go back and rehash it". Following the success of the first Beverly Hills Cop the producers spent some time endeavouring to turn the prize-winning concept into a TV series. When confronted with an unfortunately unenthusiastic reception from key cast members, the decision was finally made to just create another film. Hence, Beverly Hills Cop II was reeled out only 3 years after its predecessor's wild box office success. Luckily for the filmmakers, all of the crucial cast members were available to reprise their roles.
Eddie Murphy returns as the foul-mouthed Detroit cop Axel Foley. Who else could portray this role? Also featuring in the cast are John Ashton and Judge Reinhold as Beverly Hills policemen Taggart and Rosewood. Once again the interaction between these two is a delight to watch, although the two are less delineated in comparison to the first film. Director Martin Brest forfeited the director's chair, so the duties fell into the lap of Tony Scott - the man who helmed Crimson Tide and Top Gun among others. However, new director Tony Scott is more comfortable with action and less comfortable with dialogue and humour. Martin Brest was completely the opposite. Hence, Beverly Hills Cop II is a disappointing action puff piece with precious little comedy. Scott places the emphasis on a darker shade of violence, which is positioned awkwardly with the witty dialogue and localised satire.
The plot of the movie is confusing and convoluted. The team of screenwriters (including Murphy himself) create a wafer-thin plot that in the long run is just an excuse for violence and laughs. Basically, the film finds Axel Foley (Murphy) investigating a string of unsolved robberies that could be connected to the attempted murder of a Beverly Hills policeman. Although ill-advised, Axel enlists the aid of his good pals Taggart (Ashton) and Rosewood (Reinhold) and the three begin to bend a few rules to solve the case which leads to some confusing mumbo jumbo regarding gun smuggling that is somehow connected to a race track. As a reaction to the protagonists bending the rules, the script appears to be excessively fond of the customary melodramatic 'end of career' threats. It's merely a dumb action vehicle, but surely policemen are not threatened with the sack every single time they get something wrong. In this film we have suspensions, demotions, sackings and threats seemingly every few minutes. The story is as tortuously long-winded as it sounds, and then some!
The central flaw of Beverly Hills Cop II is its treatment of characters. All credibility is thrown to the wind at the beginning when there's discussion of a fishing trip. Are these the same guys we saw in the first movie?! Murphy's Axel Foley is almost his same old foul-mouthed, fast-talking self but there are a few odd alterations. Aside from that, both Reinhold and Ashton suffer from unnecessary changes. Tony Scott opts for style over substance, but his visual flair cannot overshadow the dreadful plot building. It's extremely hard to follow as well. With each new lead, the audience are left oblivious as to what is actually occurring! This film is just noisy action fluff, flaunting Eddie Murphy in fine form and some impressive ideas. The action is well-crafted despite not much point to most of it.
Overall, Beverly Hills Cop II is never close to matching its predecessor. The main star, Eddie Murphy, is just as charming but there isn't much for him to work with. New director Tony Scott is allowed the opportunity to have some fun with the set pieces: concocting invigorating chases shot with the copious sheen that was the trademark of uber-producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. With more laughs and less unnecessary action there could have been something far more satisfying in the can. It's also annoying that this is an hour of nostalgia...characters from the first film are granted some minor screen time. This film will be devoured by action fans; however, it won't be taken kindly to those who loved the appeal of the original. Followed by Beverly Hills Cop III. -
MCT:June 6, 2008
Great sequel almost as good as the original there one is more fun I think then story but still great. Really good that they have Axel, rosewood and taggart all together through the whole movie plus a trip to the playboy mansion.
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MCT:May 26, 20081/2 saw it didn't like it & would never see again
1=would see it again if there was nothing else to do
3=liked
4-5=loved and then some -
MCT:May 8, 2008A little more exciting than the first, although I prefer Part one for the music score. Part 2 got more action. Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars
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MCT:April 21, 2008
Not near as good as the original, without the same feel, comedy and steam as the first one had. This one wasn't bad by any means, but he should've stopped here. Now I hear they're making a fourth one?
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Captain Andrew Bogomil (Ronny Cox), Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold), and John Taggart (John Ashton) are trying to figure out who is behind the "Alphabet Crimes" called Alphabet Bandits have been solved by Detective Axel Foley. Captain/Chief Andrew Bogomil (Ronny Cox) is chosen to replace Police Chief Harold (Allen Garfield) as the new Chief of Police, and Axel returns to Detroit
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MCT:February 4, 2008
when i saw this movie, i said when am in my 50's i want to look jus like brigitte,man she was a cute bomb back then! she still has some of it
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MCT:February 3, 2008
Old School Eddie Murphy. Back when he was funny and still Eddie Murphy. Love all three of these movies.
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MCT:January 28, 2008The original Beverley Hills Cop is one of those films that remains a cult classic because of the fact that it's such a product of the time it was made. This quintessential eighties style is carried over to the sequel, made three years later, and although part two; like many sequels, never quite manages that same verve as the original film - it still offers a good time, and anyone that enjoyed the first instalment (and who didn't?) will probably have a good time with this sequel too. All the main players from the original film have been rounded up once again, with Eddie Murphy heading a capable ensemble cast, lots of wisecracks and some gratuitously over the top action sequences. The plot is, as you would expect, superfluous to the style of the film; and much of the movie is simply tailored around it; but anyway, it follows maverick copper Axel Foley and his two California police cronies as they are pulled into a case known as the 'alphabet murders', which involves a robbery, a tall blonde woman and a gun shop owner.
I've got to say that Eddie Murphy's wisecracks were a lot funnier in the first film. While they were still over the top, they were at least sort of believable. Here, however, Murphy goes massively over the top, and it's hard to imagine how anyone that obnoxious doesn't end up with a cracked jaw. Anyway, Murphy obviously enjoys himself; and if you can get by the complete lack of logic, you probably will too. True to style, the action is completely over the top too; with several ridiculous sequences combining to make the movie the entertaining blockbuster that it is. The film lacks any kind of themes or substance, meaning that it will both not please serious film fans, and that this reviewer is running out of steam; but I will say that this movie does have a point to make, and that is simply entertaining it's audience. It may be completely silly, illogical fun; but some movies need to be there just to entertain, and this is one of those. I wouldn't recommend sticking this movie at the top of any must see lists, or going into with huge expectations; but it's a good time, that's for sure. -
MCT:January 26, 2008''Let's turn Beverly Hills Cop into an ACTION movie!''
Bad move.
Most of the jokes fall flat, Bridget Nielsel gives one of the worst performances ever and the plot is just uninteresting.
Bleh. -
MCT:January 14, 2008
The action gets worse but the jokes remain just as funny. So, although it isnt better than the original, it is still a decent movie.
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MCT:January 1, 2008Shes tall!!!!! Solving a heist has never been so fun. Classic flick, eddie murphey back to business.
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MCT:December 6, 2007
A tremendously hilarious and enjoyable comedy. Better than the original. Director, Tony Scott brings on the beat of the original and also his own style which keeps the action and laughs running on a full-clip.
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MCT:October 2, 2007
A solid squel to a classic. While the main characters had an overhaul, and a new director at the helm, this film is great in its own right.
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MCT:September 19, 2007
nearly as good as the first but let down because they use the same jokes etc as the original which can make it feel dull and boring in places. worth watching tho for the comedy moments between murphy, ashton and reinhold
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MCT:September 11, 2007
Eddie Murphy and that silly laugh he has will carry you right through the movie.Action and adventure.
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MCT:September 10, 2007
Just watched this again recently and remembered how funny the film is. It's not an epic but you see Murphy in his funny glory before it was scripted for children. Also how can you dislike "Billy" (Judge) with his trigger gun loving character.
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MCT:September 10, 2007
Bored stiff throughout, only getting interested when Dean Stockwell appeared. And then what happened in the end, Brigitte Nielson blows his brains out. I ask you, is that any way to treat an actor like Dean?
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MCT:September 9, 2007beverly hills...
thats where i want to be...
living in beverly hills,
BEVERLY HILLS IS WHERE I WANT TO BE...sry jus singing the song -
MCT:September 5, 2007
Axel Foley is a great character. Eddie Murphy is hilarious! Judge Reinhold and John Ashton are excellent supporting actors in this series. I hope they are in 4!
