Time to see how this whole Career got started!
In 1982, Eddie Murphy was Cast as the Co-Lead in 48 Hours. It had big people behind it- like Walter Hill, Lawrence Gordon and Joel Silver.
He wasn't the first- or 2nd- choice, but was he the best? Yes.
The Film made him a Star and got him more roles like that of Axl Foley. He even got a Golden Globe Nomination (albeit for a strange New Star of the Year Category that they abandoned in 1983)!
The Plot involves a Cop tracking down a pair of criminals that killed some cops. The only lead- a former cohort of theirs that he must let out of Prison (under his watch) for 48 Hours.
This one is so chock full of Character Actors and Stars, so let's just drive right in...
A man- James Remar- breaks out of a Prison Chain Gang thanks to his cohort- Sonny Landham aka 'Billy' from Predator.
He goes to San Francisco for some reason.
It turns out that another member of his gang- he killed the last one in the previous Scene- knows where a stash of money they stole is.
He's played by David Patrick Kelly, Remar's Co-Star in The Warriors (also by Hill). He's the 'Warriors...Come Out to Play-ee-ay' guy.
The Cops track him down and partnerless Nolte backs them up.
A shoot-out ensues and both Cops get killed.
One of them is Jonathan Banks, who would break big on
Breaking Bad and is actually the guy who kills Eddie Murphy's friend in
Beverly Hills Cop, setting the Plot in motion.
Nolte has to work with Murphy here, giving him a 48 Hour window to bring the guy in.
The duo don't get along, which makes this Film being considered 'the first Buddy Cop Film' pretty laughable. I mean, he's not even a Cop either.
They have a couple of near misses with the bad guys and a fun bit with Murphy acts like the Cop to harass the people in a Honky Tonk Bar.
When things keep not working out, tensions escalate and the two guys(' stunt doubles) have a fight.
They let the other member get the money that Murphy had stashed (to go pick up in 6 months) and meet with the bad guys.
They don't get there in time and he's killed, with the duo escaping yet again.
It is worth mentioning again that there are lots of 'hey look- it's that person' moments here.
For instance, Tasha Yar (aka Denise Crosby) is roommates with Remar's Girlfriend and hits Murphy with a bat.
The duo are initially ready to give up, as they have only hours left on Murphy's release.
They reunite and come up with a new plan.
One last shot!
They go back to the Apartment and find the duo there.
They have a shoot-out in the place and then in the alley nearby.
The bad guys are dead and Murphy goes back to Prison a better man...until the Sequel, I guess.
A fun Film, even if many lines feel really awkward in 2024.
Simply put, arguments between Nolte and Murphy (in character, to be clear) lead to the former saying lots of words that don't fly now.
Mind you, Murphy wasn't much better in his stand up (which he has since apologized for, of course).
The Plot is a good one. The duo can't work together, but also must. Two bad guys. Two good guys.
It is simple and effective. It works.
The duo have good chemistry. The Supporting Cast is great too. Besides those mentioned, you also get Brion James, regular John Carpenter player Peter Jason, James Thibeau (who, ironically starred in Escape from Alcatraz- a Film that attracted Clint Eastwood after he couldn't play the Criminal when this was pitched to him in 1978).
The Film's Cast is so iconic that its angry Police Captain was parodied *by the same Actor* in both National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 and Last Action Hero).
The Film is a great example of a grittier Action Comedy (much less than BHC, mind you) and has overall aged well.
Speaking of iconic, Sonny Landham seemingly recreated his final moments in this Film in
Predator. He's killed while shirtless and holding a knife both times!
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| Sonny in 1982.... |
***
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| ...and Sonny in 1987. |
Next up in the reviewing proper, I might as well cover the Sequel. I accidentally ended up with 2 copies of it, so I doubly-need to cover it. Stay tuned...
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