May 10, 2022
'Beverly Hills Cop II'
The Ringer's Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan fracture an occasional law to rewatch the 1987 comedy 'Beverly Hills Cop II' starring Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, and Brigitte Nielsen.
Cast
Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley
Judge Reinhold as Billy Rosewood
John Ashton as Sergeant Taggart
Ronny Cox as Bogomil
Brigitte Nielsen as The Alphabet Killer
Paul Reiser as Jeffrey
Chris Rock as Parking Valet
Directed by: Tony Scott
Music by: Harold Faltermeyer
Produced by: Don Simpson, Jerry Bruckheimer
Notes
- $25 million budget, made $276.5 million worldwide. Second biggest movie of 1987.
- Eddie Murphy earned $8 million plus percentage/profits.
- 10 weeks of scheduled shooting turned into 20 weeks.
- Tony Scott had an affair with Brigitte Nielsen during filming, which broke up Stallone's marriage to Nielsen.
- Eddie Murphy's quote about the film: 'Beverly Hills Cop Two was probably the most successful mediocre picture in history. It made 250 million worldwide and it was a half-assed movie.'
- The script was rewritten dozens of times, not finalized until three weeks before production, and rewritten daily during and even after production.
- Eddie staged a sit-in in his trailer to keep the Ferrari Testarossa after filming.
- The license plate 2GAT123 is the film equivalent of the 555 phone number – it appears in many LA-set films/shows.
- Chris Rock's first movie role.
- First movie ever filmed at the Playboy Mansion.
- The guns in Rosewood's trunk were based on Don Simpson, who kept guns in his own car trunk.
- Bronson Pinchot couldn't return because he was filming Perfect Strangers.
- Originally the sequel was going to be set in England with Eddie working alongside Scotland Yard (possibly with Sean Connery), but Eddie refused to go to England.
- 'Shakedown' by Bob Seger was his only number-one hit ever; was originally supposed to be a Glenn Frey song but Frey's voice was shot.
Categories
Roger Ebert's review
Quote from Rog's review:
“What is comedy? That's a pretty basic question, I know, but Beverly Hills Cop II never thought to ask it.”
- Ebert was brutal: 'Eddie Murphy is not likable in this movie. Comes across as a loud, arrogant bore.'
- The hosts disagree – one star is too harsh. Chris says 'I could see two stars, but one star...'
Most re-watchable scene
- Eddie steals the house ('The Andersons went to Hawaii') – building inspector bit.
- Axel at the gun club – the bag, 'the same way Bootsy got killed,' meets Brigitte Nielsen.
- City Deposit robbery through Playboy Mansion – 'one of the most 80s scenes of the 80s.'
- The racetrack robbery – Tony Scott cross-cutting with running horses.
- The strip club scene – the Gerald Ford impersonation.
- Bogomil getting gunned down by Brigitte Nielsen.
What aged the best?
- Taggart and Rosewood elevated from supporting to co-leads; as funny as Eddie.
- Brigitte Nielsen – best role she ever had.
- Harold Faltermeyer's score – 'Faltermeyer never misses.'
- 'Shakedown' by Bob Seger.
- Chris Rock – aged well, especially in 'the Will Smith era of Chris Rock.'
- The Alphabet Crimes concept – the hosts suggest Fincher could take it further (and essentially did with 'Zodiac').
- Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer's incredible run from Flashdance through The Rock.
What aged the worst?
- Eddie's ad-lib comedy bits – better in the first movie; dialed up to 11, too loud.
- Lisa Eilbacher's absence.
- Missing Bronson Pinchot (Serge) – was filming Perfect Strangers.
- Axel Foley is asexual again – no romantic interest.
Best "that guy"
- Winner: Valerie Wildman as the gun club receptionist (later appeared in Beverly Hills 90210).
- Alan Garfield as Chief Lutz.
- Gilbert Hill as Inspector Todd.
- Robert Ridgely (later 'The Colonel' in 'Boogie Nights').
Over-acting award
- Gilbert Gottfried – 'is he even overacting? That's who he is for 40 years.'
- Chief Lutz (Alan Garfield) – 'really dials it up.'
Best "heat check" performance
- Candidates: Paul Reiser, Gilbert Gottfried, Chris Rock.
- Winner: Gilbert Gottfried – kills his one scene, largely improvised. 'Rest in peace.'
Casting what-ifs
- Bronson Pinchot couldn't return – filming Perfect Strangers.
- Dennis Hopper was wanted for the Dean Stockwell role but was unavailable.
Re-casting couch
- Geena Davis as Bogomil's daughter.
- Bill's pitch: Add Lisa Bonet as a new character – a woman who befriends Axel, then the bad guys kill her, giving Axel real motivation for revenge.
Half-assed (internet) research
- The license plate 2GAT123 is the '555' of LA license plates.
- Axel introduces himself as Richard James (Rick James reference).
- Eddie arrived with entourage: uncle Ray, brother Charlie, cousin Ray Junior, 'Fruity' (a pal since 7th grade), and Fedorov (his 21-year-old valet).
Apex Mountain
- Eddie Murphy – no, Cop One was his Apex Mountain.
- Brigitte Nielsen – yes, best role, peak visibility.
- Judge Reinhold – yes, getting starring roles after this.
Picking nits
- Using a 6'1" Amazonian blonde with a distinctive accent as the face of your cipher crimes – every witness can describe her.
- The cement truck appearing 12 seconds after Axel says 'go get us a car.'
- Dean Stockwell's character is unnecessary – too many villains.
- The 'Carlos is really Charles' reveal is insultingly simple.
Sequel, prequel, prestige TV or untouchable?
- Rosewood and Taggart could have been a sitcom/limited series.
- The Alphabet Killer concept could be a limited Netflix series – each episode is a letter.
- Pitch: Axel becomes a Hollywood consultant who discovers money laundering on a film set.
(Probably) unanswerable questions
- Was Axel Foley gay? (Wesley Morris argued this in the Cop One episode.)
- Could the franchise have had more legs if they'd added characters like 'Lethal Weapon' did with Joe Pesci?
What memorabilia would you want (or not want!) from the movie?
- Bill: Eddie's Detroit Lions jacket.
- Chris: The Ferrari Testarossa.
Who won the movie?
Eddie Murphy, but cases can be made for Tony Scott (distinctive visual style) and Rosewood and Taggart (elevated to co-leads).