Beverly Hills Cop III is a 1994 action-comedy film directed by John Landis and starring Eddie Murphy as Detroit cop Axel Foley. The film was shot on location in Los Angeles, California, and at a number of theme parks in the area. One of the most notable locations used in the film was the now-defunct Wonder World amusement park, which was transformed into the fictional “Wonderland” theme park for the movie. In this article, we will explore the various filming locations used in Beverly Hills Cop III and the creative ways in which the filmmakers used these locations to enhance the film’s action sequences.
The Plot of Beverly Hills Cop III:
Beverly Hills Cop III follows Axel Foley as he returns to Beverly Hills to investigate a series of crimes that lead him to the Wonderland theme park. While there, he uncovers a plot by a group of criminals to counterfeit currency and must stop them before they can carry out their plan. The film’s plot is typical of the action-comedy genre, with a mix of humor and action that keeps the audience engaged throughout.
The Filming Locations:
Beverly Hills Cop III was filmed on location in Los Angeles, California, and at a number of theme parks in the area. The filmmakers chose to shoot at theme parks in order to create a more immersive experience for the audience, and to take advantage of the unique settings and attractions that the parks offered.
Wonder World:
One of the most notable locations used in the film was the Wonder World amusement park, which was transformed into the fictional “Wonderland” theme park for the movie. The park was located in San Diego, California, and was chosen for its unique attractions and architecture. The filmmakers spent several months transforming the park into the fictional Wonderland, which included building new sets and adding new attractions. The park’s iconic Ferris wheel was used in a number of scenes, including a shootout between Axel Foley and the film’s villains. Additionally, the park’s water ride, known as the “Log Jammer,” was used for a thrilling chase sequence. The filmmakers also used the park’s funhouse, which provided a creepy and claustrophobic setting for a tense scene.
Universal Studios:
Another major location used in the film was Universal Studios Hollywood, which was used to film the opening sequence of the movie. The sequence was set in a movie studio, and Universal Studios was the perfect location to create the illusion of a working movie lot. The filmmakers also used the studio’s sound stages to film a number of interior scenes. The opening sequence was notable for its use of practical effects, including explosions and car crashes, which were all filmed on location at Universal Studios. The filmmakers also used the park’s famous “Psycho” house as a backdrop for a scene set in a motel. The park’s “Back to the Future” ride was also used as a backdrop for a chase sequence.
Magic Mountain:
Six Flags Magic Mountain, located in Valencia, California, was also used as a filming location for Beverly Hills Cop III. The park was used to film a number of action sequences, including a high-speed car chase and a shootout on a roller coaster. The filmmakers also used the park’s iconic Colossus roller coaster as a backdrop for several scenes. The use of a roller coaster in a film was a unique idea at the time, and the filmmakers were able to capture some thrilling footage of the coaster in action. The park’s bumper cars were also used for a chase sequence. The filmmakers also used the park’s “Batman: The Ride” roller coaster as a backdrop for a scene set in a Gotham City amusement park.
Other Filming Locations:
In addition to the theme parks, Beverly Hills Cop III was also filmed at a number of other locations in and around Los Angeles. These included the Los Angeles Convention Center, which was used to film a scene set at a trade show, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which was used as a backdrop for a scene set in a park. The filmmakers also used a number of practical effects throughout the film, including explosions and car crashes, which were all filmed on location. The final action sequence of the film was filmed at the Rodeo Galleria shopping mall in Beverly Hills, which was transformed into a chaotic shootout scene. The mall’s escalators and storefronts were used creatively to create a visually stunning action sequence.
Conclusion:
Beverly Hills Cop III was a unique film that took advantage of the unique settings and attractions offered by theme parks in the Los Angeles area. The filmmakers used a number of parks, including Wonder World, Universal Studios, and Magic Mountain, to create an immersive experience for the audience and to add excitement to the film’s action sequences. The use of practical effects and real-world locations helped to create a sense of realism and authenticity that is often missing from modern action films. While the film may not have been as successful as its predecessors, it remains a fascinating glimpse into the world of Hollywood filmmaking and the creative ways in which filmmakers can use real-world locations to tell their stories. The use of iconic locations like Universal Studios and Magic Mountain helped to create a sense of nostalgia for viewers, while the use of practical effects and real-world locations helped to ground the film in reality.
Related content: