BEVERLY HILLS COP 3 (1994)

Directed By: John Landis
Written By: Steven E. de Souza
Based On Characters By: Danile Petrie Jr. & Danilo Bach
Cinematography By: Mac Ahlberg
Editor: Dale Beldin

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Hector Elizando, Judge Rheinhold, Theresa Randle, John Saxon, Alan Young, Jon Tenney, Joey Travolta, Louis Lombardi, Al Green


Not that i was ever a big fan of the BEVERLY HILLS COP series, but at least the first two were entertaining and not only followed but help set the rules of action comedies. This film just is limp and feels like a cash-in on the series. Part of the fun of the other movies was that, Even though we know Axel Foley is a street smart cop and makes himself comfortable where ever he is. Part of the appeal of the movie was he was a fish out of water. By the sequel, He grew a little more comfortable but still the film had solid action and comedic scenes. It was more of a revenge tale almost. This film feels like detroit cop Axel just follows the criminal to california and a amusement park not necessarily Beverly hills but since the villian is rich i guess it ties into the title. This film could have been any action sequel or stand alone action film. That is how impersonal the film feels even to itself.

Now i know Eddie Murphy is the star and is supposed to be indestructable. In the previous movies he could get hurt and only risked his life within reason. In this film he is practically almost a spy. Jumping and climbing rides to save children, (Why The Character is already likeable, Who does he need to win over?) knowing how to tell counterfeit money by just studying and pointing out the mistakes Scientifically. Getting into gun and fist fights and barely breaking a sweat. After awhile it just feels so ridiculous and since this film was at the beginning of CGI the stunts with it look horrible.

Worst yet, Eddie Murphy is just not funny in the film nor are any of the jokes. First of all they got rid of John Ashton, who played Taggart who always begrudgingly followed Axel. Then there is Judge Rheinhold's character Billy who has always been the comic relief of the films, but here his character is just stupid. Which is a insult to the followers of the series and the actors

One of the major mistakes, though i respect him as a director was hiring John Landis as the director. I know he is a buddy of Eddie Murphy and they have made several hits together, But he just feels like a wrong fit for the film. I guess they thought lightning could strike again, Clearly they have gone to that well to many times. Since both of their careers were in a slump maybe they thought they could revitalize each others creativity or were each other's good luck charms. The only interesting thing he brings to the film is cameos of Legendary Directors and producers in cameos. A trick he used similarly in INTO THE NIGHT Starring Jeff Goldblum. just remember that film bombed too

The villian is so ridiculous and barely makes a impact. The film is set at Wally World. Which seems tobe a spoof on disneyland is there some hidden connection or hard feelings at Disney? other then that why is the film set there. it could have been any type ofbusiness and made sense.

Eddie Murphy puts alot of energy into his performance, but it comes off as too much of him trying to look suave. He is not the charming young man he once was. Here he seems like a middle-aged uncle who still thinks he's got it, but doesn't and no one has the heart to tell him.

Anopther element that is missing from the film is that it is not produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. Who may have made schlock in the 80's but they made meorable schlock. they didn't produce the film and Joel silver was set to replace them but he quit. With Simpson and bruckheimer it was always the bigger the better. Which may have worked better then the more scaled down approach. The filmhad a long pre-production as there were many ideas bounced around fro the story most of which took place in england. They all seemd to involve the pre RUSH HOUR type of men from two worlds meeting and teaming up. though if it took place in london the title would make no sense.

To try and keep thing lively they even bring back Bronson Pinchot's minor character from the original film. He makes just as litle impact as before as Mr. Pinchot thinks himself hilarious, You will just feel annoyed. Seriously we don't here from Pinchot that much anymore, but maybe that's because his foreign man bits just aren't that funny or original. it's like Yakov Smirnoff stand-up in this currrent culture it makes no sense and is out of time.

Though a mild hit. i think this film put a nail in the coffin of the series. it was also the last time John Landis and Eddie Murphy worked together. It just brung there already Faulty careers at the time a bit lower.

GRADE: F