'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' review: Eddie Murphy brings Big Dad Energy

Axel (Eddie Murphy, center) reunites with old friends John
 (John Ashton) and Billy (Judge Reinhold) in
"Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F."

After 40 years, Eddie Murphy can play his iconic detective Axel Foley in his sleep. It’s the little details, though, that make his latest “Beverly Hills Cop” movie a true comfort-food throwback: retro Bob Seger and Pointer Sisters tunes, that signature Detroit Lions varsity jacket and the impressive commitment to on-duty ridiculousness.

Three decades after Axel’s last assignment, “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” (★★★ out of four; rated R; premiering Wednesday on Netflix) is a confident fourth outing in the action-comedy franchise. And while it's a very modern release – via streaming rather than movie theaters – everything else leans pretty old school.

Chaos and wanton property destruction – plus Harold Faltermeyer’s synth-groovy “Axel F” theme – again follow Foley from his beloved Motor City to Southern California. A bunch of old faces return, new personalities freshen up the series and Axel, this time boasting Big Dad Energy, further cements himself as Murphy's top cinema character. (Sorry, Donkey.)

By Brian Truitt.

Full story at Yahoo News.