Rewatchables Reference

• Winner: The Torchy's bar scene – Reggie Hammond impersonates a cop and takes over a redneck country bar. The moment Eddie Murphy becomes a movie star.
• The hotel shootout at the beginning.
• Jack visiting Reggie in prison – the 'Roxanne' scene.
• Reggie and Jack's fight in the alley.
• Reggie at the Busboys concert at Roman's.

• Originally conceived in the late '70s as a Clint Eastwood / Richard Pryor vehicle.
• Jeff Bridges turned down the role of Jack Cates.
• Gregory Hines was the first choice for Reggie Hammond but dropped out to do The Cotton Club with Coppola.
• Sylvester Stallone and Burt Reynolds both turned down the role of Jack Cates.

• Young Eddie Murphy's performance – electric, magnetic, and utterly fearless at 20 years old.
• James Remar as Albert Ganz – genuinely terrifying villain.
• The James Horner soundtrack.
• 'Roxanne' by The Police playing during the prison visit scene.
• The Busboys performing at Roman's bar.

• Winner: The rampant racism throughout the film – the racial slurs are constant and uncomfortable.
• Annette O'Toole's character is completely underwritten – a thankless girlfriend role.
• Not seeing Eddie Murphy for the first 25 minutes of the movie.
• The obvious stunt double in the fight scene.
• The treatment of women throughout the film.
• The apology scene at the end.

• The studio almost fired Eddie Murphy 34 days into filming.
• Original premise dates back to 1971.
• Grossed $80 million at the box office – 7th highest of 1982.
• Roger Ebert gave it 3.5 stars.
• James Remar went without sleep during filming to stay in character as Ganz.
• Jack Cates inspired Sonny Crockett on 'Miami Vice'.
• Reggie Hammond was initially named 'Willie Biggs' in the script.
• Larry Gross (one of the screenwriters) kept production diaries chronicling the chaotic making of the film.
• Sonny Landham later ran for political office and had a troubled later life.

• James Remar as Ganz – Bill's pick. Genuinely scary villain who elevates the entire movie.
• Frank McRae as Captain Haden – Chris's pick. The quintessential angry police captain.
• Sonny Landham as Billy Bear – menacing physical presence.
• Jonathan Banks – before Breaking Bad made him famous.
• Olivia Brown at the bar.

• Eddie Murphy – yes, one of the peaks. Though 'Beverly Hills Cop' and 'Coming to America' are also contenders.
• Nick Nolte – no, he had other peaks (Rich Man, Poor Man; The Prince of Tides).
• Walter Hill – The Long Riders might be slightly higher, but '48 Hrs.' is right there.
• James Remar – 100% yes, this is his apex mountain.
• Sonny Landham – no, that's 'Predator'.

• Jack giving up his gun to a convicted criminal way too easily.
• Reggie's car sitting in a garage for years but still running perfectly.
• Luther had the keys to the car but waited instead of escaping.
• About 12 hours of the timeline seem to be missing.
• Jack making dinner plans with Elaine in the middle of a murder investigation.
• Billy Bear's apartment being way too easy to find the second time.
• Eddie's girl at the bar being way too willing.

• 'Roxanne' by The Police – plays during the prison visit scene.
• The Busboys songs – 'The Boys Are Back in Town' at Roman's bar.

• Why is Jack Cates such a terrible cop?
• Is '48 Hrs.' ruined by 'Another 48 Hrs.'?

Danny Trejo discussed – could have played Kehoe, but not Billy Bear.

Eddie Murphy – unanimously. He steals the entire movie and launched a career that dominated the '80s.