Beverly Hills Cop

Beverly Hills Cop is a pure product of the 80's and it would probably not work anymore today (I guess the final film Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F proved this recently in 2024). However for people who grew up with Axel Foley, it will remain a fond memory of their childhood. At least if you support Eddie Murphy being ... Eddie Murphy. With it came Harold Faltermeyer's catchy theme and signature sound. Again another product that would not work anymore today, even though it did well enough several years ago with Cop Out. Anyway, Beverly Hills Cop is finally available in its "Complete" package, because La-La Land releases the first and second score of the Beverly Hills Cop series, both composed by Harold Faltermeyer. The score in general is a theme driven effort of the Axel Foley sound. In half of the cues it drives the character forward, occasionally in a slightly different variation ("Chase to Harrow's" or "The Discovery") but usually in the one and same format. After a while this is pretty tiresome. Also the additional material is not of noteworthy quality. It's functional and it's cool, but hardly memorable stuff.

Also a lack in character themes makes this a one track score. One would expect there would be some kind of sub theme for still important characters such as Billy Rosewood or Jack Taggart. But sadly also this is repeated by the Foley theme, as they are doomed to walk in the shade and footsteps of Axel Foley. Something that the Lethal Weapon series rectified on a musical scale. No Beverly Hills Cop could be summarized by 10 to 15 minutes, not the double length and not the additional alternate tracks. It's such a cool score, but it lacks variety and it's beaten to death in the first part of the score. Once we reach the end shoot-out, it forgets the theme a little more and we get approachable, acceptable and decent underscore. Considering there are various cool 80's song at the end of the album, one would almost say this album is saved through the songs and action cues. For the fans who want the Beverly Hills Cop experience and don't mind a performance of 20 by its memorable theme.

The theme is what makes Beverly Hills Cop memorable, when it's not used to death.
Second part saves the album, thanks to the non use of the theme
First part is beaten to death by the main theme performances. It's a cool theme but this is overkill.
Track titles are hilariously bad. I mean "Foley Shoots a Bad Guy", "Zack Shoots" and "Zack Shot" were invented by a 5 year old or what?

Track Listing

1. Foley Finds Mikey * (1.22)
2. Bad Guys + (1.25)
3. Flowers * (0.25)
4. Foley Busted * (1.31)
5. Cops Follow Merc (0.45)
6. Late Dinner / Warehouse * (2.50)
7. Shoot Out (1.46)
8. Customs (1.33)
9. The New Team * (0.42)
10. Chase to Harrow's * (2.44)
11. Rosewood / Foley to Gallery * (1.00)
12. The Discovery * (2.18)
13. Rosewood Saves Foley / Rosewood / Foley to Mansion (3.12)
14. Good Guys on Grounds * (3.17)
15. Foley Shoots a Bad Guy (1.25)
16. Zack Shoots (1.09)
17. Zack Shot (0.57)
18. Maitland Shot + (0.57)

Bonus Tracks
19. Shoot Out (alternate ending) (1.44)
20. The Discovery * (alternate) (2.20)
21. The Discovery (theme suite) (2.53)
22. Zack Shot (alternate) (0.57)
23. Axel F (album version) (3.02) Excellent track
24. Shoot Out (album version) (2.50)

Songs
25. The Heat is On: Glenn Frey (3.47) Excellent track
26. Neutron Dance: The Pointer Sisters (4.14) Excellent track
27. New Attitude: Patti LaBelle (4.38)
28. Do You Really (Want My Love?): Junior (3.43)
29. Stir It Up: Patti LaBelle (3.36)

* Contains "Axel Foley (Theme from Beverly Hills Cop)"
+ Contains material not used in film

Total Length: 63.02