The third installment in the Axel Foley saga brings the Detroit detective back to Beverly Hills—this time with amusement parks, counterfeit money, and a slightly darker tone. Directed by John Landis, the film shifts from street-level crime comedy to high-concept action set pieces. It’s louder, glossier, and more chaotic than its predecessors.
Detailed Summary
Opening Tragedy: Back to Detroit
The film begins in Detroit, where Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) and his boss Inspector Todd are investigating a high-tech auto theft ring. During a warehouse raid, the criminals escape—but not before Todd is fatally shot. His dying words push Axel toward revenge.
Axel discovers that the murder is connected to a sophisticated counterfeiting operation based in Southern California. Without hesitation (and without permission), he heads to Beverly Hills.
WonderWorld: The Happiest Place for Crime
The trail leads Axel to “WonderWorld,” a massive amusement park clearly inspired by Disneyland. The park’s head of security, Ellis DeWald (Timothy Carhart), immediately raises red flags.
Axel reunites with Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold), who has been promoted, and John Taggart (John Ashton), who is now semi-retired. Their dynamic has changed—Billy is more ambitious and corporate, Taggart more reluctant—but the chemistry still sparks.
Axel learns that WonderWorld is secretly housing a state-of-the-art counterfeit operation, printing nearly undetectable U.S. currency.
Chaos in the Park
The investigation unfolds through elaborate amusement park set pieces: roller coaster chases, animatronic dinosaurs, and chaotic public confrontations. Axel teams up with Jon Flint (Hector Elizondo), WonderWorld’s park manager, who appears sympathetic and cooperative.
Meanwhile, Axel’s old friend Serge (Bronson Pinchot) returns in a brief but memorable cameo, providing one of the film’s few strong comedic throwbacks to earlier entries.
As Axel digs deeper, it becomes clear that the counterfeiting scheme is incredibly sophisticated, involving government-level technology stolen and repurposed for criminal use.
The Conspiracy Unravels
Axel eventually uncovers that DeWald and his associates are using a secret facility inside WonderWorld to print “super bills” that are nearly impossible to trace. The operation explains Todd’s murder—he had stumbled onto something bigger than anyone realized.
What makes the conspiracy especially dangerous is its scale. This isn’t small-time crime. It’s a massive economic threat.
Movie Ending
The climax takes place inside WonderWorld after hours. Axel confronts DeWald and his armed team in the hidden printing facility. A shootout erupts amid the rides and themed attractions, escalating into a full-scale action sequence.
Billy and Taggart join the fight, proving that despite departmental politics and promotions, their loyalty remains intact. During the confrontation, DeWald attempts to escape through the park but is ultimately cornered.
In the final showdown, Axel kills DeWald in self-defense after DeWald tries to shoot him. The counterfeit operation is dismantled, the equipment seized, and Todd’s murder is avenged.
In the aftermath, Axel receives recognition from Beverly Hills authorities. Billy is affirmed in his leadership role, Taggart finds renewed purpose, and Axel returns to Detroit having closed the case. The emotional core of the ending lies in Axel honoring Todd’s memory—this case was personal, and he finished it.
Unlike the first two films, the ending feels more procedural than celebratory. There’s victory, but also a lingering sense that Axel has changed—he’s slightly more hardened, slightly less carefree.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. There are no mid-credits or post-credits scenes in Beverly Hills Cop III. Once the credits roll, the story is complete.
Type of Movie
This is an action-comedy with crime and buddy-cop elements, though it leans heavier into action spectacle than the sharper comedic tone of the earlier films.
Cast
- Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley
- Judge Reinhold as Billy Rosewood
- John Ashton as John Taggart
- Hector Elizondo as Jon Flint
- Timothy Carhart as Ellis DeWald
- Bronson Pinchot as Serge
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Nile Rodgers. Unlike the iconic synth-heavy sound of Harold Faltermeyer in the earlier films, this installment features a more contemporary early-90s action style. The classic “Axel F” theme appears but lacks the same punch it had in the original.
Filming Locations
- Paramount Pictures Studios (Los Angeles, California) – WonderWorld interiors and controlled environments were filmed here.
- Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia, California) – Served as the primary real-world stand-in for WonderWorld. The roller coasters and attractions added authenticity to the large-scale action scenes.
- Detroit, Michigan – Used for the opening sequences to ground the story in Axel’s home turf.
The amusement park setting was central to the film’s identity. It allowed for visually dynamic action scenes but also shifted the tone away from gritty urban crime toward spectacle.
Awards and Nominations
The film was nominated for several Razzie Awards, including Worst Actor (Eddie Murphy) and Worst Director (John Landis). It did not receive major critical awards and is widely considered the weakest entry in the trilogy.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The film underwent multiple script rewrites before production began.
- Several directors were considered before John Landis took over.
- Production costs were extremely high, making it one of the most expensive films of 1994.
- The amusement park required heavy coordination to shoot large-scale action scenes without interfering with real park operations.
- Eddie Murphy has publicly stated that this is his least favorite film in the trilogy.
Inspirations and References
The movie continues the franchise created by producer Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, following the massive success of the 1984 original. The amusement park crime concept appears influenced by high-concept 90s action films that favored elaborate set pieces over grounded detective work.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There are no widely released alternate endings. However, several deleted comedic scenes reportedly existed that would have strengthened the humor between Axel and Billy. The final cut trims some character-driven comedy in favor of action pacing.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The film is not based on a novel but is the third installment of the Beverly Hills Cop franchise. Unlike the sharper character work in the 1984 and 1987 films, this installment reduces the improvisational feel that made the original a classic.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The Detroit warehouse shootout and Todd’s death
- The first confrontation between Axel and DeWald inside WonderWorld
- The roller coaster chase sequence
- The final hidden-printing-press shootout
Iconic Quotes
- “I’m not a tourist, I work here.” – Axel Foley
- “This is WonderWorld. We don’t have problems here.” – DeWald
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Several background references nod to attractions inspired by real Disney parks.
- John Landis included subtle visual callbacks to his earlier films.
- The Axel F theme appears briefly as a nostalgic musical cue.
- The film features small cameo appearances from theme park employees and crew members.
Trivia
- This was the final Beverly Hills Cop film for 30 years before the franchise revival.
- The production budget reportedly exceeded $50 million.
- It was the only film in the trilogy not to be a major box office success.
- The lighter comedic improvisation from the first film was significantly reduced.
Why Watch?
If you’re a completionist for 80s and 90s action franchises, this entry offers large-scale set pieces and closure for Axel’s arc. While it lacks the sharp bite of the original, it provides spectacle-driven action and a darker, revenge-centered storyline.
Director’s Other Works
- Animal House (1978)
- The Blues Brothers (1980)
- An American Werewolf in London (1981)
- Coming to America (1988)
