The Nutty Professor (1996) Review:

Hollywood is bound to the cycle of remakes and reboots no matter how much they try to avoid it. There are too many examples to get into, but when new actors rise to stardom, some studios feel as time goes on it is best to introduce their classic properties to fresh audiences. More than thirty years ago, Jerry Lewis starred in The Nutty Professor (1963) and it's no surprise the thought was brought up again to re-imagine it. This time, the star to take over the main lead was none other than Eddie Murphy, a solidified stand-up comic who would break the boundary. And as a remake to the original, it proves to be an entertaining one. Even though it stars Eddie Murphy, it still has its problems.

Professor Sherman Klump

The screenplay written by David Sheffield, Barry W. Blaustein and Steve Oedekerk help work in new material regarding the dynamic behind the main character. Professor Sherman Klump (Eddie Murphy) is a lonely overweight fellow who's on a breakthrough in biotechnology. But after going on a date with a promising young woman by the name of Carla Purty (Jada Pinkett Smith) where he's made fun of for his appearance by comedian (Dave Chappelle), he becomes rash and tries his new formula on himself. Thus, resulting in his new persona Buddy Love (also Murphy) and sets to woo Carla without realizing the consequences of his actions. The film was directed by Tom Shadyac also known for his work on Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994).

While the script has several writers attached, the comedy works. Just like the original, the story has a similar resemblance to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One character is good hearted and mild mannered, while the alternate personality is the total opposite. This of course puts the protagonist in a difficult situation. Klump wants look like Love, but Love no longer has the same personality. Meanwhile, the more he tries to win Carla's affection, the dean (Larry Miller) notices Klump's beginning to miss class. On top of that, the dean needs Klump to maintain the funding of the college by convincing a special donor named Harlan Hartley (James Coburn) his research is credible. The characters is what splits down the middle here.

While Eddie Murphy is funny no doubt, the characters that make the laughs are the protagonists only. Murphy as Sherman and the rest of his family have the best interactions with each other. Jada Pinkett Smith as Carla Purty is very attractive and also has her moments to shine. Even Sherman's assistant Jason (John Ales) has some good lines. However all the other characters that stand in Sherman's way are not that funny at all. This would be the dean, Hartley and especially Eddie Murphy as Buddy Love. They are surprisingly mean spirited; more than some may be comfortable with. When someone directly threatens to kill you,....that's not something to take lightly. Also Buddy Love is very over the top and obnoxious.

"Does this tuxedo make me look bloated?"

Even more shocking is that some racial slurs are used for comical purposes. That's not exactly a great thing to have. The CGI effects that were used also look out of date which is unfortunate, but the exact opposite goes for the practical ones provided by Rick Baker. The cinematography handled by Julio Macat looked good. Macat also worked on Home Alone (1990) and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994). As for musical score, David Newman worked on the composition. While an official release has never been seen, the score itself is very effective. There are big orchestral cues and also very soft motifs used for Klumps more emotional scenes. Newman also revisits a theme for Klump which makes the experience more enjoyable.

The digital effects and antagonist are probably the things viewers will find the least entertaining. But that doesn't stop the protagonists from looking bad thanks to the story, the practical effects, the camerawork and musical score.

Points Earned --> 7:10