As a longtime fan of Eddie Murphy, I can’t help but feel a sense of admiration and appreciation for his remarkable career and resilience in Hollywood. When I heard about the newest installment of “Beverly Hills Cop” on Netflix, I couldn’t contain my excitement.
Eddie Murphy’s humorous remark during his acceptance speech for the Mark Twain Prize highlighted the surprise of receiving such an honor at a relatively young age, with him quipping, “It’s quite something to be in this company and still looking as spry as I am.”)
In the year 2024, Murphy’s story doesn’t end there. Instead, Detective Axel Foley, portrayed by Murphy in the beloved “Beverly Hills Cop” series, continues to grace our screens. The fourth installment of this iconic franchise is now available on Netflix, allowing us to reconnect with the character that catapulted Murphy into stardom.
It’s surprising: He wasn’t the original choice for the role, but looking back, there wasn’t a better candidate than him.
According to the tale, “Beverly Hills Cop” initially intended to showcase Sylvester Stallone’s action skills with fewer comedic elements. Known for his roles in “Rocky” and “Rambo,” it seemed fitting. However, the story at its core was about the amusing experience of feeling out of place. Hollywood considered Mickey Rourke as a replacement; he declined the offer instead.
As a longtime film industry insider and critic, I’ve seen my fair share of misconceptions about what audiences will and won’t respond to. But let me tell you, there was a turning point in Hollywood history that left an indelible mark on me.
In 1982, “48 Hours” marked Eddie Murphy’s first film appearance and became the seventh highest-grossing movie worldwide that year. The next year, “Trading Places” came in fourth place. Surprisingly, “Beverly Hills Cop,” which Murphy obtained unexpectedly, was the global box office champion of 1984. Keep in mind, Murphy’s films during the 1980s had to compete against heavyweights like “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” franchises as well as popular Brat Pack movies such as “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club,” and “Pretty in Pink.”
During a period when many movies were dominated by themes of violence, explosions, or angst from white teenagers, Murphy stood out by making us all laugh no matter the film’s subject matter. He had a unique ability to find and amplify the absurdities, often serving as a satirist himself. His comedic talent wasn’t confined to scripts or directors; instead, he instinctively identified the humor within each project.
In simpler terms, Murphy initially appeared in films portraying a deceitful swindler in his first role, and a criminal with a long-standing career in his second. It’s possible that Hollywood producers were reluctant to cast Murphy as a cop in “Beverly Hills” due to typecasting, having previously seen him excel as an amusing crook on screen.
Despite his achievements and growing influence, Murphy showcased the Black experience in Hollywood during the Reagan and Clinton eras with unprecedented freedom. This was an opportunity seldom granted to African American actors at that time. After a ten-year run of box office hits, however, “Boomerang” drew criticism from some critics for portraying an unrealistic world. The issue? A prosperous Black-owned business where the leaders resembled Murphy himself.
Growing up as a person of color in an industry that often overlooks or misrepresents our community, I’ve always been sensitive to the portrayal of ethnicities in media. In a 1992 opinion article for the Los Angeles Times, Eddie Murphy expressed his frustration with the lack of diversity on screen and the harmful stereotypes that continue to persist.
I remember how Murphy made a name for himself in Hollywood by playing a con artist and a criminal. It wasn’t easy for him to land the role of a police officer, but once he did, he challenged the notion of what a leading man could be. Guys like Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, and Kevin Hart all stand on the shoulders of Axel Foley. The character’s iconic theme song, “Axel F,” an electronic track that became a global hit, is still culturally relevant today – a testament to the enduring comedic genius of the man who brought Axel Foley to life.
As a long-time fan of the “Beverly Hills Cop” series, I have to admit that I was initially skeptical about this latest sequel. With Eddie Murphy taking a 30-year hiatus after the third installment, I couldn’t help but wonder if this new film was just an attempt to cash in on summer blockbuster season.
It’s Eddie Murphy.
For the past 40 years, I’ve been used to finding amusement in the unique brand of comedy that only he delivers.
@LZGranderson
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2024-07-18 18:26