Reviews (36)

Magnificent Story and Wisdom Gleaned
I love movies as this. Movies that teach valuable life lessons (even if they are cheesy). Richard Gere acts as if he is the consummate low-life-user-loser (not as low however as his father, played as if it was natural for him by Robert Loggia), until he experiences numerous maturation lessons in the serious game we call life.

What makes this movie (and all similarly toned movies for that matter), cheesy is they distill the melodramatic moments of life in the span of a few hours of a movie.

Louis Gossett, Jr. won an Academy Award for a one of a kind portrayal of the disciplinarian drill instructor who falters at times dealing with "Mayonnaise". Brilliant acting on Mr. Gossetts part.

Taylor Hackford does a magnificent job of drawing out the inherent skills of all players, Debra Winger, David Keith, Lisa Blount, Lisa Eilbacher et al, directing them to convey to the audience the writers intent. Magnificent story and wisdom gleaned from a movie.

Richard Gere has arrived
Self centered hustler Zack Mayo (Richard Gere) enlists in an officer's training school where he quickly meets his match in Sergeant Foley (Lou Gossett, Jr.), who warns him of all the "Puget Sound debs", girls who come across the ferry every weekend to try to land (or trap) themselves a future naval aviator. But Mayo manages to shake off his selfishness and he learns to love-not only deb Paula Pokrifki (Debra Winger), but his new best friend Sid Worley (David Keith). What follows is a love story that is timeless and rewarding. A great stay at home date movie. Look for young David Caruso and Lisa Eilbacher.

A crowd-pleaser!
This 1982 romantic classic is a perfect remedy for Valentine's Day. This movie not only pleases the woman you love, but it's only enjoyable for the guys, too. I'm a man, so there I admit I liked the film. I'm not too keen on romantic movies, but if the story is about a man who trying "to be all he can be" and trying to get the girl, that's my ticket home.

This "chick flick" has a young Richard Gere playing a self seeking, ill-bred nobody who enlists in the Navy training corps under a strict and disciplined drill instructor(Louis Gossett, Jr. who gives a Oscar winning performance) who teaches him the fine line of courage, friendship and compassion toward his fellow man. And of course his hard work pays off by wooing the lovely Debra Winger where both of indulge into tendor passion.

This movie is oozing of sexiness and the commanding performances by Gere and Winger are all worth while. The film has enticing moments of drama, which are perceptive to the viewer. The timeless song UP WHERE WE BELONG may be kinda fruity to listen for a guy, but hey admit it! Some of you sing it in the shower I bet!

Anyway, AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMEN should be a perfect gift or viwing on Valentine's Day.

Hate to admit it, but I liked the movie
I never really thought to watch this movie because it was considered to be "sappy" but watching it on cable, one can appreciate the romance portrayed in this movie. Gere plays a naval cadet training to be an officer who meets a factory woman played by Deborah Winger. His character is unemotional although he is love with the girl. His friend, however, is opposite of him. He was willing to love the woman who was Winger's friend in the movie, but she made it clear that love was the least thing she was looking for in a man and he met his own demise. Although this movie is over twenty years old, it is still a good movie to watch. Sometimes romance doesn't have to be about sex. It's about the emotion, the heart.

Officer and A Gentleman lifts the audience up
When I saw this movie as a young adult, I found it to be a very interesting, sweet, coming of age movie. The movie follows Richard Gere as "Zack Mayo" who joins the Navy and goes through Officer Candidate School. Along the way, he learns the meaning of friendship, discipline, and love.

The beginning has a very poignant episode of flashbacks going back to "Mayo's" childhood, his father's treatment of him, and his harsh upbringing. It is through this upbringing, that you begin to understand why "Mayo" acts the way he does through the first half of the movie.

The friendship between he and David Keith is a special one, one that tests its very meaning. Debra Winger does an excellent job of a local factory girl, looking to find someone special. Along comes the smooth talking, loner "Mayo" who is hell-bent on completing Officer Candidate School without anyone's help. Their chemistry is magical.

Louis Gossett Jr. is the senior drill instructor who tests "Mayo's" committment and perserverance. Gosstt Jr. is "Foley" who's job is to weed out those who don't belong and he does a phenomenal portrayal of that.

Some of my favorite scenes were with Gere and Winger at the "Tides Inn", Gere and Gosset Jr. in the blimp hanger, and the latter half of the film with Gere's changing of character.

This is an excellent movie for anyone who has ever hoped for a better life, a true challenge, and had people who cared for them. ... Read more

Reviews (63)

Special Edition worth the price
Most people who follow Eddie Murphy know about the quality of this movie from the point of view of the movie itself. This special edition is a very good version of the film. Both picture and sound are very good and the widescreen effect does not interfere for those who aren't purists (I am and prefer widescreen editions).

Colors are very crisp and the sound is clear and more than adequate.

The film itself is enjoyable and, while the story is not the greatest, the cast including Murphy make it work with enough suspense to make it interesting to the end. The suspense really comes more from the reaction to Axel Foley (Murphy's character) by the Beverly Hills force, especially the old chief than it does from the reason for his trip to Beverly Hills (Will he succeed in getting the BH force to support his actions? will the Chief relent and let Foley finish his investigation?).

The action is pretty standard as a cop show. However, Murphy's humor and reactions carry the movie and make it rise above the traditional cop genre. Great supporting cast in Ronnie Cox, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton. Foley's boss back in Detroit is great and deserves more screen time.

The DVD extras are good and add to the enjoyment.

Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Director: Martin Brest
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Lisa Eilbacher, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Paul Reiser, Bronson Pinchot.
Running Time: 105 minutes.
Rated R for violence and Eddie Murphy-like language.

While the television show "Saturday Night Live" and "48 Hours" solidified Eddie Murhpy as a star, the Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer ("Armageddon", "The Rock") production "Beverly Hills Cop" proclaimed that he was a blockbuster film goliath that was here to stay. Using a hilarious script and some slapstick humor, the film became one of the most popular action-comedies to ever hit the big screen.

Murphy stars as the rogue Detroit city cop Axel Foley, who travels to Beverly Hills, California to investigate the mysterious murder of his best friend. While staying the gorgeous environment, the Bevery Hills police department assigns two goofball officers (played by Reinhold and Ashton in fine roles) to watch after Foley and make sure that he does not create any problems. With the help of an old friend (Eilbacher), Axel realizes that he is up against a rich and glamorous crook and the only way to get justice is to take matters into his own hands--no matter what Beverly Hills and the police department thinks about it.

Eddie Murphy is exceptionally funny in this feature, using many of his usual antics to get the clues that he needs and the things that he wants, but the shining star of the film is the quirky young detective Reinhold, looking up to Axel and doing what he knows is right, even if it is not normal police officer procedure. Director Martin Brest ("Scent of a Woman") and his explosive-friendly producers create an exciting, edge-of-your-seat romp that will have you giggling out loud the entire time. The Special Collector's Edition has many nice added features, including a commentary from Martin Brest, information about the excellent award-winning soundtrack, and exclusive interviews from the cast. Murphy at his absolute best.

an 80s classic that is a time capsule AND timeless
This is one of those simple movies that is so deceptively good, you don't realize how good it is. I have probably unintentionally seen this movie 30 times. Every single time it is on TV, I end up stopping whatever it is I was doing and end up watching it to the end, even though I know who the bad guys are and how it ends.

Murphy is Axel Foley, a Detroit police detective. His boss, Inspector Todd, is portrayed by real life Gilbert Hill, a semi-famous police detective in his own right. "Mad About You" creator and star Paul Riser has a small role as Foley's fellow detective. Todd is always threatening Foley with termination due to his costly methods of crime busting.

When his friend Mikey Tandino (James Russo) arrives from Beverly Hills to Detroit to visit with his childhood friend, Foley, Mikey gets murdered. Foley is hit on the head during the hit on his friend, but is otherwise unscathed.

Because of his relationship with Mikey, a guy with a lengthy record of minor petty thefts, Todd assigns another detective to the murder and orders Foley to stay away. Lacking confidence in the skills of the assigned detective, and determined to get justice for his friend, Foley takes a "vacation" and goes to Beverly Hills to see if there is a connection.

The plot is more than just some laughs and gun fire - you truly feel like you are part of Team Foley, investigating the case. Does the murder involve the German Bearer Bonds that Tandino had on him when he was murdered? Is it about U.S. Customs? Is it about cocaine? Is it about expensive art? There are so many different aspects interwoven, a first time viewer is really taken for a ride.

From the get-go, you know who the bad guys are - but will they be caught, and why did they kill Mikey? This film, released in 1984, seemed to recognize the unique nature of the 80s and rather than some dated film with neon socks and big hair, it seems to make itself into a time capsule. Foley's hair and clothing are timeless for any decade from the 70s to today, so it's almost like he's a time traveller, laughing at some of the styles, cars, & habits of the rich & famous in the 1980s in California.

The music is also excellent and fits the mood for each scene. The main theme, "Axel F," a techno-type of instrumental, was on Billboard's top 10 for weeks on end and is often heard as a polyphonic ring tone on today's phones. One of Murphy's all-time best - second only to his role as "Donkey" in the "Shrek" franchise.

Eddie Murphy has an inimitable laugh

Director: Martin Brest
Format: Color
Studio: Paramount Studio
Video Release Date: July 8, 1997

Cast:

Eddie Murphy ... Det. Axel Foley
Judge Reinhold ... Det. William 'Billy' Rosewood
John Ashton ... Det. Sgt. John Taggart
Lisa Eilbacher ... Jeannette 'Jenny' Summers
Ronny Cox ... Lt. Andrew Bogomil
Steven Berkoff ... Victor Maitland
James Russo ... Mikey Tandino
Jonathan Banks ... Zack, Maitland's Thug
Stephen Elliott ... Police Chief Hubbard
Gilbert R. Hill ... Insp. Douglas Todd
Art Kimbro ... Det. Foster
Joel Bailey ... Det. McCabe
Bronson Pinchot ... Serge
Paul Reiser ... Jeffrey
Michael Champion ... Casey
Frank Pesce ... Cigarette Buyer
Gene Borkan ... Cigarette Truck Driver
Michael Gregory ... Beverly Palms Hotel Manager
Alice Cadogan ... Beverly Palms Hotel Clerk
Philip Levien ... Donny
Karen Mayo-Chandler ... Maitland Receptionist
Gerald Berns ... Beverly Hills Cop #1
William Wallace ... Beverly Hills Cop #2
Israel Juarbe ... Room Service Waiter
Randy Vasquez ... Beverly Palms Hotel Bellhop
Damon Wayans ... Banana Man
Charles Adamson ... Warehouse Crate Opener #1
Chip Heller ... Warehouse Crate Opener #2
Rick Overton ... Bonded Warehouse Night Supervisor
Rex Ryon ... Bonded Warehouse Security Guard
Mike Pniewski ... Bonded Warehouse Clerk #1
Douglas Warhit ... Bonded Warehouse Clerk #2
Paul Drake ... Strip Club Holdup Man #1
Tom Everett ... Strip Club Holdup Man #2
Sally Kishbaugh ... Strip Club Waitress
Barry Shade ... Harrow Club Valet
Jack Heller ... Harrow Club Maitre D'
Michael Harrington ... Harrow Club Arresting Officer
David Wells ... Police Dispatcher
Scott Murphy ... Det. Owensby
Dennis Madden ... 1st Detroit Cop
John Achorn ... 2nd Detroit Cop
John Pettis ... 3rd Detroit Cop
Nicholas Shields ... Detroit Station Cop #1
Carl Weintraub ... Detroit Station Cop #2
Anthony De Fonte ... Detroit Station Cop #3
Darwyn Carson ... Barmaid
Mark E. Corry ... Pool Player
Thomas J. Hageboeck ... Maitland Body Guard
Martin Brest ... Hotel Check-out Clerk

Eddie Murphy has an infectious laugh, and his antics are hilarious. In this story, an old friend, just out of prison, shows up in Chicago, where Detective Axel Foley (Murphy) is a member of the police force. During their celebration of reunion, some thugs from California kill his friend, and so Foley takes off for Beverly Hills, against orders. to solve the crime.

This is a rollicking story, with truck chases, shootings, Murphy's dissimulations and antics--impersonating a customs agent, a Rolling Stone reporter, a flower shop delivery boy, and a light-in-the-loafers "friend" of the heavy, Victor Maitland (Steven Berkoff).

This is a fun movie that you will probably enjoy. It is rated "R" for language. The violence is not to explicit, and I would think no worse than most B Westerns.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedopm...their care and maintenance
and other books

Movie That Put Eddie On the Map Wasn't a Fluke
He had already proven himself extremely talented on SNL and in a few movies (48 Hrs and Trading Places) but this was his 1st solo gig. This was the test to see if he could carry a movie without a veteran actor holding his hand every step of the way. He does a fantastic job. The movie itself is a bit formulaic and juvenile. However, it works because Murphy injects every scene with such humor, enthusiasm and presence. It's a tour de force and the official arrival of the best black comedian since Richard Pryor and one of the best, period. ... Read more

Description

An FBI bomb expert tracks down terrorists armed with exploding water. Starring Pierce Brosnan, Ron Silver, Ben Cross and Lisa Eillbacher. Year: 1992 Director: Christian Duguay Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Ron Silver, Ben Cross ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Highly recommended
"Live Wire" is a very good movie, a must for all Pierce Brosnan fans. There was a lot of violence, but it's a movie about violence, so I suppose it's to be expected. If you liked Brosnan before he was Bond, then get this video.

Live Wire is HOT!
Pierce Brosnan plays a very human bomb squad expert who is on the track of an explosive substance thats undetectable. His charector is also dealing with a marital seperation. Some of the scenes in this movie are some of the sexiest on film!

Brosnon is electrifying as a loose cannon with brains.
This movie is very underated, I happen to think it is better than every James Bond movie Bronson has made except for Golden Eye. Bronson's character in this movie has more depth than Bond's character which allowes Bronson to show of his acting talents and a wider range of emotions. In this movie he plays a capable, resoursful, tough, independent, bomb specialist. However, he is also a haunted drunk with a temper. Bronson's child drowned in a pool at their home while he was supposed to be watching her. The guilt has turned him into a hollow shell of the man he was. His wife has seperated from him and is now dating a senator who she works for. The senator, played by Ron Silver, is a great character. Silver does a supreb job of being sleazy and arrogant in this movie. The plot of this movie is unrealistic but intriguing nonetheless. Somehow a middle eastern terrorist/arms dealer has succeded in developing an explosive that exists in liquid form. For instance it looks like water but if you drink it you explode. The scenes where people explode are CRAZY!!! People get it really bad in this movie. The villian in this film is great, I have never heard of Ben Cross before and have never seen him in anything since this film and I do not know why since he plays such a great villian. His screen presence is astounding, he has even more presence than Brosnon. I lot of people gave this movie bad reviews but from reading what they wrote it seems to me that they had trouble following the plot. A lot happens in this movie very quickly and the plot involves a United States governent sponsored arms deal gone bad. In truth the movie could have spent more time detailing exactly what went wrong between the senators and the arms dealer (Ben Cross). Ben Cross's assistant is the guy who played the father on Ressecurtion Boulvd. (the Showtime orginal series about boxing) and he is good as a terrorist. I liked the fact that Bronson is pretty much the only good guy in the film, the senators are bad, and so is the arms dealer. Lots of intense action scenes, horrible death, etc. Good direction, script, acting, etc. The evil people in this movie get what is coming to them in the end, the senator especially.

One hot movie
Anybody who is a fan of Pierce Brosnan should definitely get a copy of the Unrated Version of Live Wire. It's worth the price of the movie just for the hot love scenes(and I mean hot!) between Pierce and Lisa Eilbacher.. .

BOMB
"Live Wire" wasn't able to make it into the theaters. That's because this is strictly second rate. The storyline alternates between being laughable and being predictable. Pierce Brosnan portrays a bomb expert who usually works for the FBI but also does some side work for the local police. His marriage is on the rocks because he allowed their young daughter to drown in the pool. How nice. The incident is shown only in flashback and seems almost trivial the way in which it is presented. Brosnan ends up becoming involved with an investigation into exploding politicians. Yup...that's right. Certain senators end up combusting in a big way after drinking what appears to be water. The end of the movie borrows more than a little inspiration from the TV show "MacGyver". This movie never really finds its place and contains your standard action sequences and rather poor special effects. Brosnan is much more impressive as Bond. ... Read more