Screenwriting Competition: Beverly Hills Cop (1984) Deconstructed

From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters....

The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero's Journey:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

and more...

Sample Movie Deconstructed: Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

FADE IN: context; Detroit ; working class neighbourhoods.

Hero's character and capabilities: Axel pretends to be a crook; selling contraband.

Hero in his Ordinary World: in the police station.

Hero's status: other cops follow him around; seek his attention.

Meeting the Interdictor: Inspector Todd.

Foreshadow of the Interdiction: Todd warns Axel.

Meeting the Herald / Foreshadow of the Journey: Axel meets Mikey; the bonds.

Hero and Mikey's backstory: Axel and Mikey playing pool. References to the Supernatural Aid: Jenny Summers.

Developing the relationship between Hero and Herald: Mikey took the fall for Axel; Mikey loves Axel.

Meeting the Antagonist's Lieutenant: Zack turns up.

Unbearable Antagonism: Zack kills Mikey.

Interdiction: Foley's boss warns Axel not to interfere with the investigation.

Breaking the Interdiction: Axel goes to Beverly Hills.

Crossing into the First Threshold: Axel in Beverly Hills.

New World and strange creatures of the First Threshold: the strange characters of Beverly Hills .

Hero is a fish out of water in the First Threshold: the bag in the front seat sequence.

Threshold Guardian: the hotel is full; getting a room in the hotel.

Meeting Allies: Serge.

Meeting the Supernatural Aid: Jenny Summers.

Discussing the coming Journey: Axel asks Jenny about Mikey.

Mentor guides the hero toward the Antagonist: Jenny guides Axel toward Victor Maitland.

Threshold Guardian to the Antagonist and his Lieutenant: Victor's secretary.

Meeting the Antagonist and his lieutenant: Axel walks into Victor's office.

Physical Separation: Axel gets thrown out of the window.

Journey to the World of the Transformation: the police arrest Axel.

Entering the New World of the Transformation: