The sequel to the popular action comedy franchise, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, has been released on Netflix and has fans noticing a subtle dig at Eddie Murphy.
In the film, Murphy returns as Axel Foley, who returns to the city after his partner, Billy, played by Judge Reinhold, gets threatened.
The film has been met with mixed reactions online. The Independent gave it a positive review, and some people pointed out that it reminded Murphy of how good he is as an actor after a long career as a comedian.
However, a joke that went over the heads of some people was directed at a movie that Murphy has previously criticized.
In the film, Axel is apprehended by the Beverly Hills PD. In an early scene, Bobby Abbott, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, goes over Axel’s record with him.
Abbott then describes the various ways that Axel has evaded the law, including multiple shootouts and disturbing the peace.
The phrase “not your finest hour” refers to the years when the first Beverly Hills Cop movies were released.
The franchise was put on hold for several years after the critically-dispared “Beverly Hills Cop III,” which came out in 1994.
The film introduced a fresh creative team and saw Axel face off against a group of counterfeiters.
In 2015, Murphy called the film “garbage” and claimed that there were issues with the script from the beginning.
The film’s director, John Landis, also stated that the movie didn’t work because Murphy decided to play a more strait-laced character.
In 2005, he claimed that the production of the film was a strange experience.
The movie was so poorly received that Mark Molloy, who was supposed to direct the sequel, was told not to watch it as he was getting ready to take the job.
Jerry Bruckheimer, the producer of the first three movies in the franchise, also reportedly hasn’t seen the film.
According to Molloy, he and Bruckheimer have not seen Beverly Hills Cop III.
He revealed that he informed the producer about his lack of knowledge about the franchise, and he was told that he didn’t need to see the film to appreciate it.