Why is this even rated R?
Because of the F-bombs I guess.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z55W6ihUY-c
Moderators are terrorists.
Yes, it's because of the f bombs. It's over the PG-13 limit. You pretty much answered your own question.
shareI was about to say that for an R-rated movie, BHCIII oddly feels kind of family friendly. I don't know if it's because Eddie Murphy was playing a more toned down (or supposedly more "mature") Axel Foley or the Disneyland-esque theme park setting. The first two movies had a slight grittiness and perhaps, sleaziness to them. Whenever BHCIII attempts to be funny, it feels like it should be more at how with a genial sitcom instead of something that you would expect from Eddie Murphy in his '80s peak.
shareYou might be on to something. This movie came out in 94 and as tame as it is, might actually be Murphy’s last R movie (at least that I can think of without looking it up). Right after this, he started doing PG-13 comedies like the Nutty Professor series. He even did some straight PG Disney movies.
shareBeing a family man changed him.
share[deleted]
And for that the F bombs feel out of place, sort of like a parent using the G word at a school in front of children.
shareF-bombs plus blood squibs.
No way would the bloody massacre of the mechanics at the beginning be allowed in a PG-13.