Chapter 453: Axel Foley, Alex’s Folly I
The article is most obviously one of those film publicity that's been ramping up for a while now.
Nothing new but it's really rather commendable how they got a comic strip to be acutely linked to it.
These Alexander Creed and Alex Creed fellows could not be any more related with this one.
Of course, the detail that really stood out was the release of the release date. Why they delayed until this late... they didn't know...
But, it's officially May 15th. May 15, 1987. And there's no doubt that many people are actively saving it in their heads.
Maybe even marking some markers in their calendars.
Given how anticipated the movie actually is.
That 'To be continued...' line really stuck, even when it's almost two years at this point.
Even with that date being far closer to Top Gun's anniversary than anything else.
Regardless, it's finally been made known. And that's all there is to it...
Though, tomorrow and afterward, an unfolding conflict says otherwise.
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A conflict in schedule, in a way.
Yet not really a conflict per se.
It's just rather weird that after Back to the Future II's debut day was made public... Beverly Hills Cop II also finally publicized theirs.
Another anticipated movie, on its unmitigated but more than welcome sequel.
In any case, the premiere date in question at May 8th. With its wider release on the 9th.
Which was only a few days or even a week away.
Quite far from conflicting with Back to the Future's part 2, actually.
Going by face value, it's really just two movies taking up their own slots. Just like any other out there, with new ones to cycle through cinemas by the next seven days.
However, some overthinking folks found something odd.
Yet more like they wanted to find something odd, for a sense of drama to tune in to.
Some people are just like that, unfortunately...
Also, given the two film's corresponding prequels having champion status, wouldn't it be quite interesting to pit the two against each other?
There can only be one champion of the year, after all.
And it's probably going to be a close match from here on out.
Granted, in this cut-throat battle, hasn't Beverly Hills Cop II already gained their advantage?
Especially, with their much earlier release. Sniping it up as soon as Creed Pictures set their timetable in stone.
Perhaps in a bid to ramp up momentum and dry it all up when Back to the Future II comes around.
A less than tact tactic from Paramount but it's a tactic nonetheless.
In a span of 7 days, from the 9th to the 15th... maybe Axel Foley and his cohorts will reap all and Marty McFly will only be left with crumbs.
Unless, of course, Doc Brown has something quite spectacular to render Foley's trick to moot.
Either way, just imagining it is intriguing enough already.
In the clash between Beverly Hills Cop and Back to the Future's sequels, only one is bound to prevail... and these drama-drumming overthinkers can't wait to find out who.
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Anyways... May 8th did eventually arrive and to start off this overblown schedule conflict... Beverly Hills Cop II took to the Mann's Chinese theater.
But not before a soiree of stars took to the red carpet.
It was the usual hubbub with flashes, callouts, interviews, and as mentioned... the usual.
Though, undisputably, Eddie Murphy was the guy who soaked up most of the attention.
There's also the likes of Brigitte Nielsen, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, and others... but they're hardly noticed.
A rare instance where the black actor overshadowed the white ones...
Since Eddie Murphy is Axel Foley, yet it could also be said that Axel Foley is Eddie Murphy.
Both being the stars of the premiering film. As they're pretty much all the same.
Either way, he's the main attraction of the show, and speaking of shows... it showed on!
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In Beverly Hills Cop II... Axel Foley, a Detroit detective, returns to Beverly Hills after his friend, Captain Andrew Bogomil, is shot and critically injured.
To avenge Bogomil, he's back again to try and solve the Alphabet Crimes. High-profile robberies marked by alphabetical monikers, linked to his friend's shooting.
On this path, Axel reconnects with Detectives Billy Rosewood and John Taggart, his old friends from the Beverly Hills Police Department.
Which are the actual Beverly Hills Cops. Albeit downgraded to traffic duty, for new captain disputes.
Regardless, Axel convinces them to join him in investigating the case despite their vindictive superior's orders to not do so.
Also, to gain access to restricted areas and gather information, Axel frequently impersonates various authority figures, including an FBI agent and a building inspector.
With enough quick thinking and improvisation skills, it was actually enough to help him outmaneuver those who tried to stop him.
Evidently, he also infiltrates a gun club and other suspect locations to gather intelligence. Just using his street smarts and charm to get past security and learn more about the criminals involved.
Eventually, he uncovers that Maxwell Dent, a wealthy businessman, and his associate, Karla Fry, are behind the Alphabet Crimes.
Using said crimes to raising enough money to buy weapons, also to supplement the failing Dent businesses.
Axel eventually gathered enough evidence to link them to all of it but that wasn't all...
With Rosewood and Taggart, Axel formulates a plan to capture Dent and Fry.
Going as far as to prepare for a climactic confrontation with the criminals.
Leading to several action-packed sequences, including car chases and shootouts.
No doubt that Axel's fearlessness and agility played a crucial role in overcoming the villains.
In the ensuing battle, villain Dent dies and associate villain Fry is captured. Ensuring that justice is served.
With the recovery of the stolen goods and the arrest of those responsible... Axel wraps up the investigation, solving that plagued him from the start.
In the end, Axel is really not a cop from Beverly Hills... so, a trip back to Detroit was in order. Courtesy of his own superior chewing him over the phone for overstepping jurisdictions.
Of course, he had to head home but not without bidding goodbye to his friends... and not without leaving a lasting impression on them.
All in all... Axel Foley's actions in "Beverly Hills Cop II" showcased his determination, ingenuity, and unwavering commitment to justice.
Solidifying his status as a formidable and charismatic detective.
In any case... here's to hoping that Don Simpson can remember those flowery words and high-praising phrases when it counts.
After all, Don has a vendetta with this produced film of his... and a well-written column could go a long way.
Although he had no problem with the finished product, given that it's his and Jerry's handiwork...
He still wanted extra embellishments to make it stand out some more.
If only he could write something that discredits Creed directly, then wouldn't that be something?
Or maybe he should actually do that?
Granted, he still had other methods to smack that British old man's smugness.
Just like how he hired Tony Scott, a Creed Pictures Top Gun directorial reject to double the fuel on his road to vengeance.
If that's not testament enough to his efforts, he also had Paramount lap up his idea to be an "early bird" in Back to the Future's wormness.
All in the account of getting back and destroying whatever grand vision that the Creeds had towards that sci-fi spectacle film of theirs.
With all of this and so much more... Don can almost say that he was on his way to actually actualizing his self-proclamation to becoming a don of Hollywood...
Other than that, he can practically feel his retribution taking effect at this moment... and onwards.
Of course, all of this was riding on the Beverly Hills Cop, Axel Foley.
Don's great protagonist that will exemplify Zemeckis', Gale's, Sullivan's and that Alex Creed's folly!