Not sure I can connect Murphy’s Law (the idiom, not the show) to this playlist. I mostly thought it was a clever title since three of the four movies are Eddie Murphy either working with a cop or being one. It doesn’t matter, let’s move on.
This might seem like a random movie playlist, but bear with me as I connect some dots. I had recently re-watched an SNL skit with Eddie Murphy (the “Gumby” one, if you haven’t seen it do yourself a favor), don’t ask me how I got there but I did and it’s hilarious. It then led me down a rabbit hole of YouTube videos, digging up his entire SNL catalog, and then his standup specials. Then an article popped up in a screenwriting blog I follow where they cover “script to scene” moments from films. That article, you guessed it, was a scene with Eddie Murphy in 48 Hours. That sparked the playlist, but when I went through his movie credits I realized he’s in too many good movies for a single playlist. I had to narrow it down. So I went with ‘action/comedy’ and that’s how I got to the Eddie Murphy’s Law playlist. Prepare yourselves for classic movie trailer voice and 80’s soundtracks…
48 Hours (1982)
48 Hours was Eddie Murphy’s debut as a film actor. He made the jump while still on SNL, where he was a regular cast member from 1980 – 1984. 48 Hours came out in 1982 and, yes Eddie was there for ‘comedic’ relief, but it also showed that he could do action. He balanced this line of being serious when needed, but when it was time to wisecrack it was never so out of line to make it an over-the-top comedy. 48 Hours is a great action crime buddy cop (well, Eddie wasn’t a cop but bear with me) movie that has all the right 80’s ingredients. It would be a recipe for future buddy cop movies to follow.
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Two years and…umm…48 Hours later, Eddie would do one of his most famous roles. It would cement him as a leading man, in his own action comedy, and launch his film career to the next level. As street-smart Detroit Detective Axel Foley, he heads to Beverly Hills to solve the murder of his best friend. Again, Eddie balances comedy, action and seriousness to make Beverly Hills Cop a great action/comedy flick.
Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
Not sure what it is about BHCII but for some reason I really like this movie. Maybe it’s that return to home feeling, where everyone is friends and working together. Maybe it’s a fun Tony Scott directed heist action flick. Maybe it’s Jürgen Prochnow as a badass villain or Brigitte Nielson as a badass hench…lady. I’m not sure, but what I am sure of is it falls in the category of great sequels, which is rare.
The Golden Child (1986)
Now this one may raise some eyebrows, for a few reasons. One, most people probably have not heard of this movie. Two, those that have seen it think it’s not that good. Within that bucket who have seen it though, is myself and a few others I’m sure, that loved this movie. Another action comedy but this time mixes in some fantastical dark demons and what not. What’s not to like?
