Beverly Hills Cop (UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Paramount       
 Release Date: December 1, 2020
Rating:  PG-13
Film:  4.5/5
 
 Plot
 Looking to track down his best friend's killer, fast-talking Detroit Police detective Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) travels to Beverly Hills to follow-up on some clues. Once there, he's put under the watchful eyes of two local cops (Judge Reinhold and John Ashton), and draws the ire of the local officials with his unorthodox detective skills. 
 
 My Thoughts
 Saturday Night Live showcased Murphy's comedic talent and 48 Hours made him a star, but it was his role in Beverly Hills Cop that turned the talented comedian into a box office sensation. He would later reprise the role of Axel Foley in two follow-up films, but the first of the trilogy is by far the best.
 
Murphy showed he could carry a film and his improvisation in this film is hilarious to watch even after all the time that has gone by. Sure, the screenplay is a bit far-fetched, but watching Murphy at his best is a sight to behold and his interaction with his costars is a joy to revisit.
 
This has been released a few times on Blu-ray, most recently in a box set with all three Beverly Hills Cop films, and it has a good debut on UHD. Detail is notched up a bit and the color palette has some new life breathed into it. Reds are a bit bolder and the lush green grass of the Beverly Hills homes have never looked so inviting. The audio track is about what you’d expect from the time period and occasionally sounds a tad strained, but nothing too distracting.

  
 Video 8.5/10 
 
 Audio 8/10 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
 
 Special Features:
 

• Commentary by director Martin Brest
• Beverly Hills Cop—The Phenomenon Begins (SD)
• A Glimpse Inside the Casting Process (SD)
• The Music of Beverly Hills Cop (SD)
• Deleted scenes (HD)
• Behind-the-scenes featurettes incorporating vintage 1984 interviews (HD)
• An isolated audio track of the original score by Harold Faltermeyer
• “BHC Mixtape ‘84”, which allows viewers to go directly to the scenes featuring the hit songs “The Heat Is On,” “Neutron Dance,” “New Attitude,” “Stir It Up,” “Do You Really,” and “Nasty Girl.” 
• Location Map
• Theatrical Trailer (HD)
• 4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Copy

 

 

 
 Conclusion
 Murphy was one of my favorite comedians in my formative years, and probably explains why I still drop the occasional F-bomb to emphasize my point. While the script is a little weak with some cheesy action scenes, Murphy carries this film and it holds up surprisingly well all these years later. Recommended for fans.
 

 
 Reference Review System:
  
 Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Fixed Screen
 Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor 
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player 
 System Controller: URC MX-980
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
 HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
 JL Audio Fathom F110 Subwoofers x 2 (stacked)
JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (stacked)

Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner