Product Description

A HIP DETECTIVE FROM DETROIT TRACKS A CRIME RING TO A LOS ANGELES FUN PARK CALLED WONDERWORLD.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17886 in DVD
• Brand: Paramount
• Released on: 2002-01-29
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English, French
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 104 minutes

Amazon.com
Third time is not quite the charm for Eddie Murphy's Axel Foley when he heads for L.A. once again to avenge a friend's murder. This time he's off to the Disneyesque WonderWorld, apparently the most hazardous theme park in America despite an army of shady security agents. John Landis directed Murphy in his first film hit, Trading Places, and would seem a good match for this mix of action and comedy, but his sense of fun only emerges in a few scenes (chubby mechanics do a gymnastic Blues Brothers number to a Diana Ross tune) and his action direction is sloppy and shockingly violent. It seems wrong for the comic tone, and Murphy should have his foul mouth washed out with soap. On the plus side, Bronson Pinchot returns as Serge and all but upstages Murphy in two brief but hilarious scenes. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

A TOTAL WASTE
And a monumental flop. Beverly Hills Cop 3 spent so much money and delivered practically nothing. We get a 1.85:1 screen, bland production design (in a theme park?) and out of place action on the rides. It should have had a wider screen and more eye-pleasing backgrounds if it wants to look good on screen. But it never happened. The tone is very different to the previous 2 films and has some totally pointless action and a weak plot.

Ronny Cox, John Ashton, Don Simpson, Jerry Bruckhiemer and Harold Faltermyer all bailed out of this film. Surely the director should have seen that as a sign. There isn't even a reason for Ronny Cox not being in this movie. At least they bothered to explain why John Ashton couldn't be bothered showing up (apparently his character retired to Arizona to play golf). Judge Reinhold is wasted and is given NO funny lines. Eddie Murphy acts like he's in a DIE HARD movie and how the other characters can't figure out who the bad guy is just by looking at him is insulting to the audience's attention.

Millions of dollars were spent on this movie that came traipsing in 10 years after the original and 7 years after the sequel. I guess no one cared about Axel Foley anymore. As I have already said...the film bombed big time.

Eddie Murphy's Unsatisfying Turning Point
I think "Beverly Hills cop III" was an extremely regrettable turning point in the nice career of one of the most talented and funniest black comedians Hollywood has ever seen - Mr. Eddie Murphy. Before it he used to be funny or at least much funnier. He appeared in the rather enjoyable flicks like "48 Hrs.", "Coming to America", "Another 48 Hrs.", "The Distinguished gentleman", "Boomerang" and of course "Beverly Hills cop I & II" - two beloved movies that will always be his very best works.

Then someone decided to add part three in the so far terrific "Beverly Hills cop" saga. This time Axel Foley was on the mission of revenge and the comedy was unfortunately replaced by action. Who forgot that most of the glamour behind these movies came directly from the humor? Even though John Landis - the man behind hit comedies like "The Blues Brothers" and "Three Amigos!" - sat in the director's chair the end result just wasn't that funny anymore or at least it was funny very rarely and that's a bad thing if we compare part three to its absolutely hilarious precursors. ...and as it happened, after "Beverly Hills cop III" Eddie Murphy got roles from the movies like "Vampire in Brooklyn" (with only couple of excellent scenes), "Metro" (that apparently wasn't supposed to be funny in the first place), "Doctor Dolittle" (cute little film for kiddies who love furry animals that talk), "Holy man" (interesting but more confusing than amusing) and "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps" (definitely one of his worst movies, waste of his undisputed talents and a model example of a comedy that doesn't make you laugh).

Lately I saw "Life" and surprisingly it was pretty brilliant and alongside with fairly good "Bowfinger" it's the only completely clear exception in this course. What I'm saying is, "Beverly Hills cop III" started it all. Was it all just a coincidence or was it meant to be that Eddie Murphy's best years were in the 80's and early 90's? I can't tell. This is just the way I see things.

Third Time is NOT the Charm
The third installment of the popular "Beverly Hills Cop" series is like a distant relative who comes to stay with you. At first, you're glad to see them and catch up on old times, but they sure wear out their welcome fast. This film reaches that point after about fifteen minutes.

Eddie Murphy is back as Alex Foley, the increasingly improbable fish-out-of-water detective from Detroit. Once again, Axel is doing battle with the law enforcement establishment, the Beverly Hills Police Department, and the Bad Guys who killed his friend. Sound familiar? Even Serge (Bronson Pinchot) is back, in a desperate, painful scene that seems to go on forever.

The direction, by veteran Murphy helmer John Landis, is acceptable, showing Landis' usual flair for pacing and stunts. The screenplay by the usually reliable Steven deSouza, though, is woefully half-baked. It is never clear what the tone of the picture is supposed to be. The action scenes are very off-hand and frequently played for laughs, while the comedy scenes are forced and unfunny. The story never builds the sense of jeopardy and conflict that is essential to a film of this type. It is neither a laugh riot, nor is it even remotely suspenseful. Also, any film that makes Hector Elizondo--one of the best character actors around--look bad has some serious problems.

There are two good things about "Cop III." One is an excellent action sequence set on an amusement park Ferris wheel. That is the only exciting part of the film. The other thing I liked was the series of cameos by a variety of famous film directors (like George Lucas), a typical Landis gag. It at least gives you something to look for in some pretty boring scenes.