6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Murphy stars as Dr. Sherman Klump, a kind, "calorically challenged" genetics professor who longs to shed his 400-pound frame in order to win the heart of beautiful Jada Pinkett. So, with one swig of his experimental fat-reducing serum, Sherman becomes "Buddy Love," a fast-talking, pumped-up, plumped down Don Juan. Can Sherman stop his buff alter ego before it's too late, or will Buddy have the last laugh?
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Jada Pinkett Smith, James Coburn, Dave Chappelle, Larry MillerComedy | 100% |
Supernatural | Insignificant |
Romance | Insignificant |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: DTS 5.1
Spanish: DTS 2.0
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy (as download)
DVD copy
BD-Live
Mobile features
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
After the one-two-three punch of "The Distinguished Gentleman," "Beverly Hills Cop III," and "Vampire in Brooklyn," there was legitimate concern in 1996 that Eddie Murphy had lost his big screen mojo. After 15 years of solid entertainment, Murphy was low on creative gas, requiring material that would allow him to shine brightly in a brash manner audiences had grown accustomed to. Remaking Jerry Lewis's 1963 smash "The Nutty Professor" was the boost the comedy legend needed at the time, triggering enormous box office returns while renewing faith in Murphy's abilities to charm with comedic chaos. The movie restored his marquee value, though it did so by emphasizing a crude imagination and a fondness for bodily function humor, often caught playing all the way to the back row to keep the energy of the lukewarm update zooming along. There's bold work here from Murphy on grand scale of thespian commitment, yet the feature's sense of humor is more dreary than playful, killing the potential of the premise with a constant display of bad taste, almost afraid to escalate the central premise into an inspiring demonstration of slapstick creativity. Why take the time to write a joke when a wet fart requires less effort?
The VC-1 encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation has been touched by some very mild filtering, taking out a good portion of the filmic grain of the cinematography, leaving a crisp, flat picture to study. Fine detail is satisfactory, keeping chemistry particulars and university decoration in view, while facial and costume textures look inviting and expressive (without overt smoothness), giving the production's comedic aspirations a pleasing life. Color palette is bright and bold, with deep, stable reds and blues, sustaining the cartoonish ambiance of the effort. Fabrics are especially vibrant. Softness is limited, along with ringing, finding much of the presentation consistent. Shadow detail is comfortable, able to preserve dense hairstyles and nighttime shenanigans. Print is in solid shape without any major damage.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix sustains a jubilant tone of screen comedy, with a satisfying frontal push for dialogue needs, providing full voices and a crisp detailing of Murphy's performance invention, finding the track holding emphasis in place. Scoring is supportive and balanced well with verbal activity, pumped up on occasion to accentuate the mischief at hand. Soundtrack selections range in quality, with a workout scene set to "I'm So Excited" sounding distant and thin, while the rest of tunes carry proper position and instrumentation. Low-end is employed well, finding a highlight in Sherman's "King Kong" nightmare sequence, with his huge, stomping body bringing a pleasing rumble. Surrounds are utilized well, with discrete activity for outdoor sequences, while party antics and classroom moments carry more of a circular feel.
Saving "The Nutty Professor" is Murphy's enthusiasm, fanned out over seven characters, brought to life through convincing make-up and era-appropriate visual effects. He's a pistol in this thing, always eager to please, while taking time in multiple fat suits seriously, injecting unique personalities into every character. There's even a few moments spent with Lance Perkins, a television weight loss guru modeled after Richard Simmons, permitting Murphy an additional avenue of frenzied behavior to explore. Murphy is divine, in dire need of writing that supports his vast imagination. In the care of Shadyac, "The Nutty Professor" only finds sporadic innovation and the occasional giggle, focused too intently on cheap laughs and false sentiment when there's so much more to Sherman's pickle than the musical potential of his rear end.
1996
1996
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1996
1996
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2011
1978
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2018
Ex-tended Edition
2011
2019
2016
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2018
w/ 6 Collectible Cards
2014
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Warner Archive Collection
1986
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