Review of Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) by Westleigh Q — 24 Sep 2015

The late, great Tony Scott was an extremely talented man and although not enjoying the same fame his brother, Ridley, did, Scott managed to create some of the most stand out blockbusters throughout his career, he was also the perfect candidate to direct a sequel to Beverly Hills Cop.

The original was a hilarious B movie, that was clearly a vehicle for Murphy but was a huge bag of fun in the process. The sequel however actually feels like a 5 star film, with B movie quirks, something Scott was brilliant at delivering.

From the word go, Beverly Hills Cop 2 feels pumped and polished, with a slick and thumping introduction, the danger feels bigger, bolder, the tone shifted somewhat from the previous outing, this isnt a bad thing, as with the original the film needed to plaster over the gaping cracks that lay in its foundations.

The film takes place a couple of years after the original, Foley is now working undercover in Detroit, driving expensive cars and wearing nice suits, his attention is soon diverted back to Beverly Hills however when his good friend Bogomil is gunned down for investigating a string of heists, Foley jumps on a chance to go and help his old buddies out and gets himself in the middle of something pretty bombastic.

It sounds like more of the same and for some parts it is, however evident right from the get go is Murphy's confidence as Axel Foley, in fact Scott manages to bring all the performances to life, Murphy, Cox, Ashton, Reinhold, Rieser and Hill are all back and on fire during this outing, its a much needed move as if the original was lacking anything is was solid character.

What is even more welcomed is the dynamic in which the trio of Taggert, Rosewood and Foley is displayed, the trio feel like a close unit, a comedy grouping, their timing is far superior, there is even room in the script for some hilarious side plots, much like Taggert getting a divorce and Rosewood becoming a gun toting maniac, both of which are dealt with subtily and never detract from the story.

The action of course has been ramped up with car chases, shoot outs, rocket launchers, bank heists, club shootings and its all executed brilliantly with Scott's eye for big and bold, a car chase between a cement truck and a van is especially hilarious.

Its huge campy and polished fun and it builds on everything wrong with the previous outing. Beverly Hills Cop 2 feels like it should, it builds upon a fun idea, it strengthens everything about its older form, it adds more form, thats pretty difficult for a film to achieve, but Scott manages here.

We still get some by the numbers plot points, some laughably camp bad guys and a handful of material that isnt predominantly original, but its all presented in such a fantastic and hilarious fashion, you cant help but sit down, crack open a beer and laugh and smile.

The high point in the franchise and definately worth checking out.