'80s Class?: 48 Hours (1982)

 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!

Sonny in 1982....

***

...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...

Is it Bad?: Beverly Hills Cop III (1994)

 Just in time for my Birthday, the Beverly Hills Cop Franchise is back.

Why has it been absent for 30 years?

To find out, let's check out the previous one...

Beverly Hills Cop III.

It is supposedly too serious.
It is supposedly too silly.
Did Eddie Murphy really try?
Was John Landis the best pick?

Is it bad though?

Pro: While the Film is still an Action-Comedy, it tries to be more.  

Axel is motivated by the death of his Captain here, with Murphy showing legit emotions.

Con: Many people point to the tonal whiplash here, given the funny setup before.
I'm not that bothered by it myself though.

Con: The lack of Taggart here to round out the Comedic Trio.

Mind you, there's a complicated answer for that- basically the Script was rejected, he had to do another project and then wasn't available- and it is unfortunate.

That said, Hector Elizondo does fine in his place.  Is it the same?

Pro: Putting Axel in a Theme Park makes for a good Fish out of Water Story.

A little more time in Detroit would have really sealed the deal though.

This is the only one in the Franchise (so far, at least) that doesn't feature a Strip Club Scene too.
Darn?

Pro: The Plot is *gasp* not a convoluted affair.

I love the Original, but its Plot involved bearer bonds, an Art Gallery and random stuff.
The second one features Robberies with a fake Theme that are something something gun running.

This one features some sort of criminal affair in a Disney World/Universal Studios pastiche.  I can explain it in one sentence.

Pro: Serge is back.  His replacement in Part 2 was still fine, but it feels like a Beverly Hills Cop Film with him in it.

His Character takes a silly, but logical turn here, as well as serving as the Film's Q.

Con: According to Bronson Pinchot, he's reacting here to Director John Landis and not Murphy, who he claims was depressed (about his career) and the stand-in was easier.

Mind you, you'll only notice that now because I just told you.

Pro: The Film makes full use out of the unique setting, with Foley having to be disguised at points, as well as interacting with Park Guests (including George Lucas).

They also use an Attraction for an Action Scene later and use the empty Park at night for the finale.

Pro: It is still a Beverly Hills Cop Film, and he still has clashes with an outside Authority Figure (just not his dead Boss or the missing Ronnie Cox).

Con: They do kind of repeat this alot, don't they?

Pro: It works, right?  Plus, it is Stephen McHattie!

Con?: The Film double-dips on aged friend shot for pathos here.  Granted- the second one doesn't die.

This apparently has confused Mr. Murphy, as he spoke about his motivation in 'the last one' was 'Uncle Dave being shot.'  I guess he forgot the beginning.

Granted- it has been 30 years.

Pro: The Film does make good use of Axel- and not someone else- being framed for a crime in Act 3.  In addition, it gives us a Cameo-fest that features Arthur Hiller, Forrest J. Ackerman and Ray Harryhausen!

Pro: The Film gets really creative with the finale, with Characters outside in the Park, running through the Tunnels and interacting with the Attractions.

It's a bit obvious when they show us Alien Attack (a retrofitted Earthquake Attraction) in full earlier that it will come up later.

Serge's ridiculous gun is a fun prop too.

Con: Supposedly Murphy wanted to be taken more seriously as an Action Star, so the Film's finale ends with him wounded- as Reinhold and Elizondo.

I know that lots of people don't like the idea of the Film ending at Wonder World either, but it does still give us the proper freeze frame ending.

What's Good?

The Film still feels like a proper Beverly Hills Cop Film.  You can say that things look too bright, or it is not as funny, but you can't deny how it feels.

The Action is good here and they make great use of the setting(s).

A small thing I like- they use multiple remixes of 'Axel F,' which is fun.

The returning Characters are nice here and the new ones- especially Timothy Carhart as Ellis DeWald.  He has that same punchable face and vibe as William Atherton.

What's Bad?

The Film isn't quite as funny as the other 2, with less of the defining moments of the previous Films.  Despite being the most recent one, it is the least remembered.

The lack of Taggart here is disappointing- no question.

The attempts to make the Film more grounded at times is certainly a choice that many people don't like.

So...

Is It Bad?

NO.

Objectively, the Film is fine.  It isn't amazing, but it is not bad.
Will it be your favorite in the Franchise?
Perhaps not.

I can't be mad at any Film with a Cameo from Julie Strain...

She's 'Annihilator Girl'

...and Al Leong.

as 'Uncredited Car Mechanic.'

Next time, should I go right to the obvious green target?  I think so.

Forgotten Sequels: Beverly Hills Cop II

 Breakdown, shakedown- you're Reviewed!  

This is Beverly Hills Cop II, the Sequel (duh) to the classic '80s Film.

In the ensuing years, Paramount wanted to make this into a TV Series.  

Yes, Decades before we got Lethal Weapon and Rush Hour as TV Shows, this nearly happened.  However, Murphy was not interested in going back to TV- which he's pretty much stuck to- and we got this Film instead.

Tony Scott is here to bring his signature style and grace to proceedings.  

We also get Brigitte Nielsen here too, which is kind of funny if you know your Film History.

Basically, Sylvester Stallone was offered the spec script version of BHC and did Cobra (with Nielsen) instead in 1986.  Oh, and the two were married. 
A year later, she's in the Sequel...and they are divorced (although the two facts aren't related).

The Plot involves a series of crimes, a complex motivation for them happening and Axl called to Beverly Hills yet again when someone is shot (just not killed this time).
They surely won't do that Plot Point again, right?

Is this Film as good as the original?  Should it be talked about more?

To find out, read on...

In Beverly Hills, we see a group of robbers- led by Nielsen- who rob a Jewelry Store with precise timing to get in and out without being caught.

This is the start of the Alphabet Crimes.
How the Police know to call it this after ONE crime- which was A- is anyone's guess.

After that, we see Axel working undercover with some criminal selling credit cards...or something.
Look- this Plot doesn't matter at all.

Meanwhile, we see that he's become off-screen friends with the LAPD Chief (who stood up for him last Film).

Oh no- he's going to get...yeah, there it is.

He's shot, but will recover- just not in time to appear in this Film again.  

To be fair, he was busy making a little Film called Robocop.

Axel goes to Beverly Hills- seeming a bit less surprised by things the 2nd time- and does a long con where he tricks some workers into leaving a House under repairs with him.

A fun moment, even if him having a House barely matters to the Plot.

He joins up with his two buddy cops- who were demoted for Plot reasons- and works the case.

A shell left at the Chief's shooting leads him to a Gun Club and the Villains, but they know that he's on their case.

Hijinks involving the Pool lead to the trio going to a Strip Club- the Let's Up the Rating to R trope in full effect- and them pretending that the older Cop is Gerald Ford.

They find out more about the bad guys and...wait...is that the guy from CSI?!?

First the guy from Breaking Bad in the last one and now this!

Another B-Plot involve Paul Reiser- who was in way more '80s Films than you remember! - covering for Axl while he's away.

It doesn't amount to much.

Speaking of not amounting to much, Axel and company stop the next Robbery- the C & D Crimes- from being completed (the bad guys have to dump the loot) and follow a clue to a Fundraiser at The Playboy Mansion.

This has the group meet face-to-face for the first time...before Heff just makes them all leave without conflict.  Fun.

The Alphabet Crimes come to a head with E as they rob the Emperium Fields and kill one of the backers- Dean Stockwell as Cain- to frame him for the whole thing.

Case closed, right?

Nah.  They figure out from mud on shoes in Act 1 that they are in these fields with red mud.

A shoot-out ensues, with Rosewood famously blowing up a truck and the bad guys are defeated.

Secondarily to that, the mean new Chief is fired and the good Chief is promoted (off-screen).  

The End.

A strong Sequel- mostly due to the Star Power and Direction.

The Plot is kind of all over the place.  It moves around to do random things- like putting Axel up in a House for 2 Scenes- and features lots of distractions.  The actual Alphabet Crimes idea is great.  The execution is so-so and the villains motivations are not laid out well.

Story wise, we get weird filler and forced setups for stuff like Axel and Rosewood in a Cement Mixing Truck.

One B-Plot doesn't quite age well- at least for me.  We learn that Rosewood is obsessed with guns, having them all over his House and in his trunk.  The pay-off is him putting on a black trench coat and gleefully having a shoot-out.
I mean, I was in High School with Columbine happened, so...kind of yikes.

The late Tony Scott does a great job here.  No offense to Martin Brest (tee hee, his name sounds funny), but he's outshined here.  The Action is shot well.  The Film is lit well.

Without him, I feel like this might be a fun, but underwhelming Sequel.

Thankfully, you can breeze past the odd bits of Plot, the filler and the other things that don't mean much to enjoy Murphy here delivering a great performance.  Plus, the Soundtrack is great.
Have I listened to it in my Car multiple times?  Maybe.

It's kind of a mess, but a fun and great-looking one...that makes me stuck again on which stinger to use.
So, here's both...

They couldn't get Bronson Pinchot, but this is a great replacement, no?

***

Rubbing it in by looking at a Cobra Poster, Eddie?

Next up, let's return to my more normal fare, shall we?  Don't worry- Part 3 will get its own look soon enough.  Stay tuned...

Quick Review: Dolemite is my Name

A Biopic about Rudy Ray Moore was apparently a big project for Eddie Murphy.  

Was it worth the time and effort?

 In Los Angeles, a 40-plus year-old Moore was trying to break out.  He had tried Music, Dance and now he was on Comedy.

Taking inspiration from an unlikely source, he creates a new persona- Dolemite!

Fun Fact: Dolomite is a real Element.  

Did Moore take the name from that?  Probably not.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Moore keeps pushing, turning his act into a series of successful Albums before getting a new goal- Film.

He goes about getting help from a variety of unique sources, including a provocative Playwright, an auteur Actor (to Direct) and all of his friends.

Can they make their dreams come true?  

Can they succeed and break into an industry?

I mean, it is a Biopic, so there can't be any real surprises if you know the history.

Regardless, check out this surreal journey through the mind of an impassioned (and brilliant?) mad man.

A surprisingly-interesting Film.  My experience with Rudy Ray Moore and his Films is...interesting.  I've only *personally* seen The Human Tornado, since I got it as a gift.  I got my friend to watch his last Film- Shaolin Dolemite- and it's a weird mess, apparently.  

So, bear that in mind, when I talk about how interesting I found the actual story here.  Embellished or not, the Film has a compelling one to tell.  

The Story is framed as one where Moore is always told what he can't do and he makes sure that he can!  He won't let anything stop him- whether it is the fact that he's overweight or can't do kung-fu- and that is sort of endearing.  That doesn't make his Films good, of course, but it does make him a sort of inspiration.  He overcomes alot here to do well, so good for him.  

Murphy truly seems to become Moore, so I can see why all the hype was surrounding his performance.  I'm not going to say whether or not he should have gotten an Oscar nod, but he was good.  

The Film is a celebration of people that achieve their goals- whether they are good ones or not.  

I'm sure if Mr. Moore was alive to see it, he'd be happy...

A fun, inspirational Film about a man who made Films.  You don't have to like the Films- just admire the man's drive!