There is hardly anything to laugh about this year. After two years of the pandemic, a new virus is sticking to our cheeks. Putin-22. Or what shall we call it? With his war of aggression against an innocent country, the Russian dictator plunges all of Europe and the world into chaos. With all the worries, we need moments when we can just laugh because laughter is known to be the best medicine. And we can laugh best at comedy. And a very special comedian, who shaped the film business of the 80s like no other, is celebrating his 40th screen anniversary this year, Eddie Murphy.
EDDIE MURPHY – STATE-OF-THE-ART COMEDIAN
Eddie Murphy celebrated his 60th birthday last year. Hard to believe. Forty years ago, he helped shape the film business. Moreover, he inspired a lot of the comedians we laugh at today.
It was the Brooklyn-born artist who made stand-up comedy fit for the cinema. This path was by no means predetermined. Because Eddie Murphy was the child of a telephone operator and a transit police officer, who was murdered when Eddie was just eight years old. In such moments, others become gangsters. Eddie, on the other hand, became a comedian.
He made his screen debut forty years ago with the film 48 Hrs. But like so many other US comedy stars, Eddie Murphy also got his start in the successful TV series Saturday Night Life.
Here he met like-minded people like Dan Aykroyd, whom we know from the Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters. Together they played in Trading Places. The comedy that really poked fun at Wall Street is one of the funniest movies of all time.
EDDIE MURPHY BECOMES the cult figure AXEL FOLEY
After that, not only the international cinema audience but also the big film producers became aware of him. And so, in 1984, at just 23 years old, Eddie Murphy became the cult figure of Axel Foley. As an unconventional cop with a loose mouth, he was able to fully exploit his comedic talent and charm in the Beverly Hills Cop films.
Beverly Hills Cop and the Sequels set the standard for an action comedy. Not to mention the cool soundtrack, mainly produced by German composer Harold Faltermeyer.
After two Beverly Hills sequels, the mega-hit “Coming to America” followed. Here Eddie Murphy played an African prince who, befitting his status, stays in the New York borough of Queens to find his future princess, alongside his Saturday Night Life pal Arsenio Hall. Hilarious.
However, the comedy is closely related to the tragedy. And so, Eddie Murphy was never able to repeat the success of Beverly Hills Cop or Coming to America. However, his other films were also consistently worth seeing. Many underestimated him and his films. Because they considered the movies just as nice comedies. However, in fact, they were much more.
His films often highlighted explosive current issues. So, in a humorous way, he addressed the problem between blacks and whites. Just on a light, entertaining and comedic level.
EDDIE MURPHY’S GREATEST HITS REMASTERED ON BLU-RAY
Eddie Murphy always had a special way of presenting serious things in a humorous way. Now four of his greatest hits have been released on Blu-Ray, and one of them even in 4K.
HARLEM NIGHTS
Gambling, entertainment, dancing, prostitution. Sugar Ray and his foster son Vernest, nicknamed Quick, established a thriving nightclub in the early 20th century. In the middle of Harlem. Of course, the successful club attracts nasty gangsters and other envious people. This creates a battle for the club between the two guys and the gangs of Harlem.
BOOMERANG
The successful and quite chauvinistic advertising executive Marcus Graham would have a hard life today. Because he is a real serial womanizer. Hardly any woman is safe from him and his games. Until he falls head over heels in love with his new boss. It’s just stupid that she’s just as indifferent to him as he was to his love affairs before. It’s getting lonely around him. Only sweet Angela likes to be by his side. But for how long?
COMING 2 AMERICA
In the first part, Akeem, Prince of Zamunda – a fictional Africa kingdom – traveled to New York. Of course – how could it be otherwise – he went to the befitting district Queens. Here he sought his future queen and found his Lisa.
Together they gave life to three beautiful daughters. However, the country’s laws provide a male heir to the throne. Therefore, General Izzi sees a great opportunity. So, he wants to make his son king of Zamunda. Thus, he wants to marry him to Meeka, the eldest of Akeem’s daughters.
Howsoever, Akeem learns that he fathered a son during his time in New York. Thus, he heads back to the Big Apple to track him down. Luckily, Akeem finds his son. His name is Lavelle. But he couldn’t be more like his father. Because he also likes to rebel and, of course, does not want to be married. Rather, he would like to marry his beloved Mirembe. If that will work?
EDDIE MURPHY IN BEVERLY HILLS COP II IN 4K
In Beverly Hills, a gang is spreading fear and terror through the so-called Alphabet Crimes. Axel’s friend Andrew Bogomil, now captain of the Beverly Hills police department, investigates on his own.
Because police chief Harold Lutz has more to do with kissing the mayor’s butt than taking care of the investigations. When the gangsters shoot Bogomil on the street, Axel naturally travels to Beverly Hills immediately. Here he also meets his other friends, John Taggart, and Billy Rosewood.
As always, Axel’s investigative methods are very specific. He appears as a fortune teller or shows up with his buddies at a party in the Playboy Mansion. Billy has also evolved. He is a real gun nut, which Taggart comments on with the saying Fuck Rambo.
In the entire 103 minutes, not a dry eye remains. No matter how many times you watch the film, it remains funny and charming. Beverly Hills Cop II, as well as the prequel, are classics that reflect the spirit of the 80s in a very special way. Therefore, they belong in the film’s Hall of Fame and – now available as an HDR version in 4K – in every good Blu-Ray collection.
WIN AN EDDIE MURPHY FILM COLLECTION
Reason enough, for his 40th cinema anniversary, to give you a really cool collection of his best films. Just answer the following questions:
