Eddie Murphy returns in 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' after 30 years

It's hard to believe it has been 40 years since Eddie Murphy first burst onto the screen as Axel Foley in 1984’s "Beverly Hills Cop."

Now 63, Murphy returns in "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F," proving that time hasn't dulled his sharp wit and comedic genius. 

The original film was the highest-grossing movie of its year and spawned two sequels in 1987 and 1994. Despite numerous attempts to bring Axel back to the big screen, it took until now to find the right script and team. 

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who co-produced the original films with the late Don Simpson, knew the formula: "Let Eddie be Eddie and let Axel be Axel." 

This approach, paired with first-time feature director Mark Molloy and a screenplay by ex-cop Will Beall along with Tom Gormican and Kevin Etten, hits all the right notes.

Australian director Molloy, best known for his commercial work including for Apple, brings a fresh perspective to the franchise.

Beall, who has experience reviving star-vehicle cop adventures (notably "Bad Boys for Life"), brings authenticity and excitement to the script.

From the opening scenes, we're reintroduced to Axel in his beloved Detroit, cruising through neighborhoods to the tune of "The Heat Is On."

The first major action sequence takes place at a hockey game, showcasing Foley's cleverness and knack for manipulation as he foils a major robbery with an unwitting partner.

The plot thickens when Axel's old Detroit partner, Jeffrey Friedman (Paul Reiser), is ready to retire.

Foley tries to dissuade him, even as a new mission calls him back to Beverly Hills. This time, Foley's estranged daughter, Jane Saunders (Taylour Paige), becomes a central figure.

As she tries to exonerate her wrongfully convicted client, she finds herself in danger, setting the stage for Axel to step in as both a cop and a father.

"Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" blends action, comedy, and heartfelt moments, reaffirming Murphy's timeless appeal and Axel Foley's enduring legacy.