Common Sense Media Review
Eddie Murphy vehicle has guns, language, homophobic jokes.
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Beverly Hills Cop
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 35 kid reviews
Kids say that this action-comedy is a hilarious classic featuring plenty of swearing, violence, and a strip club scene, making it unsuitable for younger audiences. Despite the mature content, many reviewers appreciate its humor and regard it as one of Eddie Murphy's best performances, often recommending it for older teens or adults.
- hilarious classic
- strong language
- violence and nudity
- suitable for older teens
- great performances
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In BEVERLY HILLS COP, Detroit police officer Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) travels to Beverly Hills to investigate a lead when his good friend is murdered. Put under the watchful eyes of two Beverly Hills cops (Judge Reinhold and John Ashton), Foley infuriates his superiors on his way to solving the murder. How far will Foley go to catch his friend's killer?
Is It Any Good?
Years after its original release, this film has not aged well. (Nor, perhaps, was Beverly Hills Cop ever very good.) While the bones of an intriguing mystery are present, the movie leans on Murphy's personality and brashness for comedic value. In its day, the actor's rapid-fire, uncensored wisecracking might have been revelatory for some, but there isn't much actual comedy here, really, at all—unless Murphy simply teasing and doing voices counts in your book.
This is primarily a rote cop movie and thinly veiled vehicle for Murphy to be himself, around which, somewhat slowly, a drugs trafficking and murder case is being solved. Aside from its reputation, this film will be surprisingly boring for most modern audiences. Action comedies and buddy cop romps have come a long way since this dated—and occasionally sexist and homophobic—movie.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in action comedy films. Did any of the violence in Beverly Hills Cop surprise you?
Did you find Axel's methods necessary? Do you think the film justifies his behavior? How realistic is Murphy's portrayal of a police officer?
Did you find the film's gay jokes offensive? What stereotypes were they leaning on for humor? Why is it important to portray marginalized communities with nuance on-screen?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 1, 1984
- On DVD or streaming : January 29, 2002
- Cast : Eddie Murphy , John Ashton , Judge Reinhold
- Director : Martin Brest
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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