“The best buddy cop movie of all time”

Dir: Walter hill
Prod: Joel Silver
Writ: Walter Hill, Roger Spottiswoode, Steven E. de Souza, Larry Gross
Cast: Nick Nolte, Eddie Murphy, James Remar, Frank McRae, Brion James

48 Hrs. is a classic buddy cop action movie and the film debut of Eddie Murphy as a convict and Nick Nolte as a cop. Together, they have 48 hours to catch two serial killers who have just broken out of prison. The duo must learn how to work together as partners while trying to solve the case and capture the criminals within the 48-hour time frame.

48 Hrs. is a pioneer of the buddy cop genre and influenced movies like Lethal Weapon, Bad Boys, and Rush Hour. This film is often underrated compared to Beverly Hills Cop, as it is a straight-up action movie, whereas Beverly Hills Cop leans more toward a lighthearted comedy.

What makes 48 Hrs. great is its atmosphere: the neon city lights of San Francisco, the opening desert scene, and the jazz music by James Horner. It’s a fun soundtrack that perfectly complements the film. Everything about this movie is a masterpiece, making it an instant classic action film. It’s one of those rare films that should never have been remade. Its unique charm cannot be recreated. Walter Hill is a fantastic and underrated action director.

The action sequences are thrilling, especially the chase scene and the bar fight. While these moments may be smaller in scale compared to other action films, they keep you hooked throughout the entire runtime. The story feels realistic and grounded, which is rare for a movie like this, making it feel like something that could happen in real life.

The performances are excellent, and the chemistry between Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy is so believable that you genuinely feel the tension between them. Even though they’re often at odds, there’s also a sense that they take care of each other, making their dynamic feel like something out of a slice-of-life film, despite the movie being an action-packed thriller.

Though Eddie Murphy brings humor to the film, 48 Hrs. is not a comedy. It’s a dark, gritty action movie, and Murphy adds a lot of personality and humor without undermining the dark, gritty, & serious tone. James Remar, as the villain, is fantastic, his performance is so intense that his appearance, looking like he hasn’t slept in days, adds an extra layer of dedication to the role.

48 Hrs. is one of the best buddy cop action movies and one of the most underrated action films out there. Despite its influence on every buddy cop movie that followed, it’s not as widely recognized as Beverly Hills Cop. You should definitely give it a watch. It’s a flawless, action-packed masterpiece.

My Rating: A+