Stunt pilot Fred North reflects on Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F director Mark Molloy becoming alarmed by a helicopter stunt executed during the film’s production. As the fourth installment of the Beverly Hills Cop series, the film brings back Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley alongside his old friends John Taggart (John Ashton) and Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) when Axel’s daughter’s life is threatened. The stunt, which involved a helicopter crash filmed with practical effects, left Molloy visibly shaken.
During a video with Corridor Crew‘s Niko and Wren, North describes the Beverly Hills Cop 4 stunt as meticulously planned and executed, using a real helicopter to achieve the scene. Molloy’s reaction underscores the intensity of the stunt, which combined real elements with visual effects. North also shared how practice sessions for the stunt took place in a desert field, building up to the final sequence that left Molloy astonished. Check out the video here:
So, before doing it for real, I did practice on an empty field in the desert. What happened is the director, Mark Molloy, when I did the first one, he said ‘Fred, is that it?’ And so, he was like, ‘Is that all you got?’ I mean, he’s fantastic, but he was on the ground, and I said ‘You know Mark, I think the best would be if you came with us, and then you’re going to see,’ because to me, that’s something you want to shoot from the helicopter from inside. So, he came with us, and I did it, then he said ‘F–k me!’ You know, that’s why they used another shot from them. It changes the perspective of the scariness of the whole thing when, from the inside, I thought they did a pretty good job of the CG takeover, cus it obviously didn’t actually crash. So, we all agreed with Mark to do everything for real.
What This Means For The Action In Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Beverly Hills Cop 4 Values Practical Effects
Using a real helicopter for the crash scene in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is an example of its emphasis on practical effects for high-intensity action sequences. The production team’s decision to execute the stunt with a real helicopter required extensive planning, with North performing preliminary practice in his chosen desert environment. Moreover, Molloy’s reaction to the initial take of the stunt highlights the unexpected intensity of the scene, even during shooting. Also, North’s experience with the director on set suggests that the stunt’s realism added another layer of difficulty in capturing the scene.
This helicopter stunt reflects the commitment to physical action and real-world execution of the production team, emphasizing the level of expertise involved in filming these high-risk stunts. As North’s explanation suggests, real work needs to go into executing a stunt safely and correctly, and though Beverly Hills Cop isn’t on the same level as an action franchise like Mission: Impossible, it still leads to a lot of impressive behind the scenes work. The combination of real stunt work and safety measures adds to the physicality and tangibility of the action seen in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.
Our Take On This Daring Helicopter Stunt
Stunt Work Is A Vital Part Of Filmmaking
The helicopter stunt seen in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is a great example of how practical stunts can add a raw and visceral dimension to an action film. The danger involved in executing the stunt proves the dedication and expertise of the stunt team and actors. Molloy’s reaction is a reminder of the unique thrill that practical effects bring to the screen, and nothing compares to the tension and excitement of seeing something happen for real. It’s moments like this that remind us why stunt work remains a critical part of action filmmaking.
Source: Corridor Crew
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley is the fourth film in the popular comedy franchise starring Eddie Murphy. Murphy returns as Axel Foley in the Netflix film alongside returning cast members Judge Reinhold and John Ashton and Bronson Pinchot as Serge. Kevin Bacon and Joseph Gordon-Levitt also star in the sequel as new characters.
- Director
- Mark Molloy
- Release Date
- July 3, 2024
- Studio(s)
- Paramount Pictures , Jerry Bruckheimer Films , Eddie Murphy Productions
- Distributor(s)
- Netflix
- Writers
- Will Beall
- Runtime
- 118 Minutes