Save the Cat rankings

BEVERLY HILLS COP script analysis

BEVERLY HILLS COP script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Detroit detective Axel Foley’s carefree undercover antics lead him from a botched bust to the murder of his friend Mikey. Driven to avenge Mikey, he crosses the threshold into Beverly Hills, clashes with local cops, uncovers Maitland’s crimes, and ultimately rescues Jeannette and brings the villains to justice.

80 Save the Cat fit score 30% analysis confidence / 34 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

30%

Introduces Axel’s playful, rule-bending style negotiating a cigarette deal in a seedy trailer.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 3 / Pages 1-2 / 5% target

25%

Inspector Todd challenges Axel’s rogue methods, hinting that respect for procedure underlies real justice.

Where the hell you come off going undercover without authorization.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-5 / Pages 1-5 / 10% target

30%

We see Axel’s undercover swagger, his professional troubles at the station, and his bond with Mikey.

4

Catalyst

Scene 6 / Pages 5-6 / 12% target

35%

Mikey’s murder by Zack jolts Axel out of his carefree routine and sets the revenge plot in motion.

5

Debate

Scenes 7-8 / Pages 6-8 / 20% target

30%

Axel wrestles with whether to pursue the case in Beverly Hills alone or follow procedure and request backup.

6

Break into Two

Scenes 11-12 / Pages 9-10 / 25% target

30%

Thrown out a window and booked by Beverly Hills PD, Axel officially crosses into the unfamiliar world of B.H. policing.

7

B Story

Scenes 13-14 / Pages 10-11 / 30% target

30%

Jeannette bails Axel out and becomes his ally and potential romantic interest, grounding his personal stakes.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 17-20 / Pages 13-16 / 40% target

30%

Axel teams up (and clashes) with Taggart and Rosewood, breaking up a robbery and staging a chase—his style disrupting Beverly Hills protocol.

Look, all three of us are cops. Why are we always arguing. We should be working together.
9

Midpoint

Scene 24 / Page 18 / 50% target

35%

Axel directly confronts Maitland at the club—the stakes rise when he faces the villain on his turf.

I know you're into a lot of vile shit and I also got a pretty good idea that...
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 26-27 / Pages 20-21 / 65% target

30%

Security’s violent escape and ensuing police pile-up tighten Maitland’s security, trapping Axel’s investigation.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 29 / Page 22 / 75% target

30%

A rooftop shootout with Zack pushes Axel to his limits and looks as though he may fail to save Jeannette.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 31 / Page 23 / 80% target

30%

Maitland holds Jeannette hostage, and Axel questions whether he’s put everyone in greater danger.

Careful old boy you might hit me.
13

Break into Three

Scene 32 / Page 24 / 85% target

30%

After the shootout’s aftermath and criticism from superiors, Axel refocuses on saving Jeannette and stopping Maitland.

14

Finale

Scenes 31-32 / Pages 23-24 / 95% target

30%

Axel and Bogomil storm the mansion, defeat the thugs, rescue Jeannette, and ensure Maitland’s arrest in a coordinated takedown.

15

Final Image

Scene 34 / Page 25 / 99% target

25%

Axel departs Beverly Hills in his Nova, reuniting his Detroit swagger with newfound allies, closing the journey.

Nah. They think I'm a pain in the ass, too. But they love me.