Beverly Hills Cop II: More 80s Excess, Please!

Okay, so I just rewatched Beverly Hills Cop II and honestly? It's a fashion time capsule. Eddie Murphy is always great as Axel, but let's talk about the wardrobe choices. That Gianni Versace blazer he wears while staking out the Playboy Mansion? Iconic! (Okay, maybe a little too much shoulder pad action even for the 80s, but I'll allow it). And the whole thing is dripping with 80s opulence - the villains look like they walked straight out of Dynasty, with their power suits and gigantic jewelry. Brigitte Nielsen as Karla Fry is a moment. Every single outfit she wears is just pure ice queen perfection. All those sharp angles and severe hairstyles… she fully embodied the villain vibe. Even Rosewood and Taggart got a slight wardrobe upgrade from the first film, looking a little less clueless and a little more… well, Beverly Hills-adjacent. They're still the same loveable goofballs, though. I will say, some of the action sequences are a little dated now, and the plot is… well, it's a pretty standard 'over the top 80s action movie' plot. But honestly, I'm not watching Beverly Hills Cop for high art. I'm watching it for the one-liners, the car chases, and the absolutely incredible fashion. It's pure escapism, and sometimes that's exactly what you need. Overall, if you need a dose of 80s fun and are interested in some over-the-top costuming I'd recommend this one just for kicks. Maybe I'll rewatch the first one soon and compare... hmm....