'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' hits theaters, but do fourth films ever work?
Has Eddie Murphy succeeded in bringing the franchise back to life?
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MOVIES Sequels
We’re living in an era of reboots and unexpected sequels where nostalgia reigns supreme, providing Hollywood with an easy formula to turn a profit. These seemingly unending film series bring joy to some fans who can't get enough of their favorite characters and universes, but they can also cause great disappointment when they fail to do justice to a beloved franchise.
The original 'Beverly Hills Cop' was a famous box office success in 1984 and is still beloved today as an action classic. However, 1986's 'Beverly Hills Cop II' was a major flop, panned by critics and viewers alike. Eddie Murphy and the crew tried one more time to revive the franchise in 1994 and failed once again. For 30 years, it seemed like the BHC franchise had been laid to rest, but on July 3, the fourth installment hit theaters. 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' sees Eddie Murphy reunite with his former co-stars, Judge Reinhold and John Ashton, for one more comedic rampage through LA.
According to initial reviews, the latest sequel has a lot more going for it than the disastrous 'Beverly Hills Cop II' and is likely to be enjoyed by fans of the franchise, but overall lacks originality and doesn't come close to the glory of the original. The Hollywood Reporter reviewer had this to say: "Murphy's big personality makes Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F better than a lot of Netflix features and he seems at least slightly more engaged than he was in Beverly Hills Cop III. The movie also has real LA location shooting on its side. But that doesn't stop it from feeling like something recycled out of 40-year-old ideas. If you're fine with that, enjoy."
Than answer here is somewhat inconclusive. Let's take a look at the fourth film in various other franchises, evaluating if they are classic continuations or unnecessary sequels. Click through the gallery to get started.
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