10. Beverly Hills Cop
One of the funniest – and sunniest – films of the 1980s, Beverly Hills Cop is an action-comedy that will not disappoint. Starring Eddie Murphy in the golden days of his career, the film focuses on Detective Axel Foley (Murphy) – a streetwise Detroit cop who, though extremely competent at his job, comes under fire for the risky improvisations he often takes on cases. When his best friend Mike is brutally assassinated, Foley takes his vacation time and travels to Beverly Hills in California to try and find out who put out the hit.
Though the plot sounds a little heavy-winded and dramatic, the comedy within the film is actually very light, as Axel continually finds new and brilliant ways to escape from a bumbling duo of Beverly Hills cops (played by Judge Reinhold and John Ashton) who have been patrolled to make sure that Foley isn’t working on the case. The film also features a fantastic soundtrack – the main theme of which was remixed in the Crazy Frog’s 2004 “ding-ding” anthem, Axel F. The film not only spawned Eddie Murphy’s career as a comic actor, but also inspired two sequels, made in 1987 and 1994, respectively. If you’re looking for laughs and a hint of nostalgia this summer, then look no further than Beverly Hills Cop.
Words by Annie Honeyball