Movie Night: Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.

Review #466: Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.

Cast
Eddie Murphy (Professor Sherman Klump/Buddy Love/Granny Klump/Mama Anna Klump/Papa Cletus Klump/Ernie Klump, Sr./Lance Perkins), Janet Jackson (Denise Gaines), Larry Miller (Dean Richmond), John Ales (Jason), Richard Gant (Mr. Gaines), Anna Maria Horsford (Mrs. Gaines), Melinda McGraw (Leanne Guilford), and Jamal Mixon (Ernie Klump Jr) Directed by Peter Segal.

Review
I liked the first film, for all of its awkwardness in some of the jokes, it didn't veer too far from laughter, and Murphy did a nice job. The formula is slightly changed, and the comedy...nearly veers the film into being being unenjoyable. Murphy is all well and good, but it seems the film is nearly out steam by the end, contrary to popular belief, flatulence jokes do not in fact always remain funny, rather they are only funny for a millimeter of a second, depending on the level of work actually devoted to making that joke. Janet Jackson is our new lead actress, with the last actress (Jada Pinkett) explained off as "just being friends", which isn't the worst way of disposing of a character, believe me. At least Larry Miller is in it, which brings some joy, and while the film doesn't necessarily succeed, it doesn't fail spectacularly. It may not be a good film, but there is some sort of care put into this film, though I do wonder if anyone would actually want a third Nutty Professor.

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Nutty Professor (1996).

Review #457: The Nutty Professor.

Cast
Eddie Murphy (Sherman Klump, Buddy Love, Mama Anna Klump, Grandma Klump, Papa Cletus Klump, Ernie Klump, Sr, and Lance Perkins), Jada Pinkett (Carla Purty), John Ales (Jason), James Coburn (Harlan Hartley), Larry Miller (Dean Richmond), Dave Chappelle (Reggie Warrington), John Ales (Jason), Jamal Mixon (Ernie Klump, Jr.), and Montell Jordan (Himself) Directed by Tom Shadyac (#148 - Ace Ventura: Pet Detective)

Review
I'd compare this to the original version, however since I didn't see the 60s film beforehand, there is no point of comparison. Eddie Murphy can be funny, given the right material (Trading Places, Coming to America), but when you give him the wrong material (Norbit), it fails. This film thankfully has the right stuff to work. Murphy does a nice job because while the jokes aren't always funny, at least when the joke misfire, it isn't a spectacular failure. Murphy plays other roles (with make up by the fantastic Rick Baker), but it doesn't overwhelm the film to a halt, more a near afterthought. The actors are good, especially Larry Miller. He may have brief scenes, but he certainly leaves an impression. Jada Pinkett is fairly decent, and with Murphy, they do well. It's a pretty decent film that while not all that it could have been, it certainly makes its mark.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.