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Beverly Hills Cop ...or ...Fletch ?

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Chat' started by Joe Strummer, Sep 1, 2016.

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  1. Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer VIP Whale

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    "Everything about Fletch ( 1985), from its setting to it's wisecracking hero to
    it's synthesizer score, pegs it as a carbon copy of Beverly Hills Cop.
    And yet, while Fletch may be the imitation and Beverly Hills Cop the original,
    the passage of time has substantially diminished the charms of Eddie Murphy's 1984
    film, and Chevy Chase's knockoff has come to be one of the most
    effervescent comedies of the 1980's.
    This is, in large part, due to Chase's nonchalant genius."
    *
    Excerpt from Saul Austerlitz's " Another Fine Mess".
    *
    *
    *
    I had to think about this ? ----
    and I did realize the synth track score was the same, while watching both movies in the 80's --
    but I never put both movies as carbon copies ?
    I agree, they are !
    Probably written at the same time - but one beat the other to production finish.
    *
    I never gave much credit to Chase's "Fletch" until a couple years ago -
    when i was able to see it - start to finish - ( hadn't seen it in a decade ! ).
    I found it more amusing...........and more amusing than Beverly Hills Cop.
    *
    Has Eddie Murphy become a less sympathetic character ?
    And Clark Griswold ( even as Fletch ) more endearing ?
    *
    Is this what it is ?
     
  2. deansrobinson

    deansrobinson VIP Whale

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    There are a finite number of stories to be made into movies in the universe. Nothing we can do about that.

    I don't see 'Fletch' to be a ripoff of 'Beverly Hills Cop', given that Fletch has a marginally more complex storyline than BHC. Chase & Murphy have different comedic styles. I don't agree that Murphy has 'diminished' any more so than has Chase, and would grade both films about the same.
     
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  3. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    I enjoy both films, probably Fletch a bit more. Guess it depends on my mood. But I don't see them as the same movie at all. Set in the same city, but BHC is a fish out of water comedy and the humor in Fletch is a bit more dry
     
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  4. ardee

    ardee It's only money.

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    Since Fletch was derived from the series of books by Gregory MacDonald, who adapted his books for the screen, to call Fletch a carbon copy of BHC is wildly inaccurate to say the least. Just because both films had similar cheesy soundtracks does not a copy make.
     
  5. Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer VIP Whale

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    "We'll have a solo performance by a wisecracking cop......or journalist ?
    ....what's the difference ?
    Not a buddy/cop/ project.
    He'll be looking for a killer or drugs....or both.
    Set in LA........lotsa LA scenery.
    Have a top comedian play the role.
    Make it appear to have alot of improve funny moments.
    We'll have a hip, synth soundtrack."
    *
    absolutely no similarities
     
  6. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    I don't think anyone said there were no similarities. But hell, Less Than Zero checks four of the boxes you identify and I don't think anyone would confuse that film with Fletch or BHC
     
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  7. saintpauljeff

    saintpauljeff VIP Whale

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    never seen in my life Beverly Hills Cop compared against Fletch... guess there really is a first for everything
     
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  8. azlefty

    azlefty VIP Whale

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    Both musical themes were written by the same person.
     
  9. ardee

    ardee It's only money.

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    Hell, The French Connection checks a bunch as well.
     
  10. rolotumasi

    rolotumasi Low-Roller

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    At the time I saw both films using Mr.Underhill's credit card want the number?
     
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  11. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    Both Eddie Murphy and Chevy Chase were/are comedic genius; end of story.
     
  12. mrem3200

    mrem3200 VIP Whale

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    I have seen BHC two maybe three times. Fletch, 20 times maybe. Not a knock on BH I remember that I liked it but to me Fletch is much much better.
     
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