BEVERLY HILLS COP III

US, 1994, 104 minutes, Colour.
Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, Hector Elizondo, Timothy Carhart, John Saxon, Teresa Randle, Stephen Mc Hattie, Alan Young. Cameos: George Lucas, Martha Coolidge, George Schaffer, Joe Dante, Babette Schroeder, Peter Medak.
Directed by John Landis.

On its release in 1994, this sequel received a critical drubbing, comparisons with the original film.

However, it is entertaining in its way, relying on the enthusiasm and sometimes charm of Eddie Murphy, cheeky, exuberant, going into action, good detection, cheerful hero. He is joined again by Judge Reinhold from the original film. This time Hector Elizondo steps in as the complimentary police officer.

While the film starts with action in Detroit, the pursuit of a truck, lots of shooting, the death of the police supervisor and his funeral, the clue is given that the Los Angeles Wonderland Park needs investigation. Axel Foley goes to Los Angeles, meets up with Billy, is introduced to John Flint (Hector Elizondo), spends a lot of time at the theme park – with lots of rides and characters to entertain the cinema audience.

Foley uncovers the criminal, and there are lots of confrontations, shootouts – especially the end with a super weapon provided by the very camp Serge (Bronson Pinchot). There are intimations of romance with Teresa Randle as top technician control for the rides – with Alien Attack demonstrated and used in the finale.

John Saxon appears as another criminal but Timothy Carhart is the mastermind. Stephen Mc Hattie also appears as a federal investigator.

The blend of comedy and action, relying on Eddie Murphy’s presence, and, for curiosity, quite a number of producers and directors have cameo roles, including George Lucas as a disappointed customer at Wonderland.

Direction is by John Landis, director of many comedies, working with Eddie Murphy in Coming to America and Training Places..

1. The popularity of the original? Sequels?

2. Eddie Murphy, his embodiment of the detective, Axel Foley? The past adventures? Collaboration with Billy? Personality, Eddie Murphy alive! Humour, cheekiness, action, detection?

3. The opening in Detroit, the stakeout, the cars and crashes, the attack, the weaponry, the truck and the killing of all the mechanics? De Wald and his ruthlessness? Foley and pursuit? The death of the supervisor and the pathos? The intervention of the FBI? The funeral and the comforting of the dead man’s wife?

4. Examining the evidence, the indication of Los Angeles and Wonderland? Advised to keep out of the investigation, going to Los Angeles, meeting Billy again, his promotion, his office? The introduction to Flint? The introduction to the manager of Wonderland?

5. The visuals of Wonderland, audience enjoyment, the variety of rides, characters? The ride and the mechanical interruption, Foley leaping from cabin to cabin, the rescue of the children? Alien Attack?

6. His seeing the entrance, the tunnels, the investigation, Sanderson and his control? Meeting De Wald? The focus, the pursuits of chases, the violence, shooting?

7. The encounter with Uncle Dave, the image of Wonderland, the conversations, the meeting with Foley, his being shot, taken to hospital, the recovery? Foley blamed for the attack, people watching television, in the bar, blaming him?

8. Janice, meeting, her control of the technology, the humour of the Alien Attack? Its later use in the in the attack on the thugs? The romantic possibilities? Janice and Billy caught in the cold room, the escape, their participating in the fight?

9. Serge, the past, comedy, the camp manner, the pretty weapons? The demonstration – and the preparation for the later use, the misfires at first, success?

10. The discovery of the printing press, the money, forgeries, the defence against the police and the Wonderland cash?

11. Foley and his continued attacks on De Wald, being fobbed off? The buildup to the ultimate confrontation, throughout Wonderland, Sanderson arrested, De Wald and his death?
The irony of the agent being part of the gang?

12. The happy ending, Uncle Dave restored, reputations saved?