Nutty Professor 2 Review

Professor Sherman Klump is back and is as big as before, but this time around lewd replaces funny. For those who missed part one, here's a recap - Nutty Professor was a copy of Jerry Lewis's original by the same name. A brilliant scientist Sherman Klump has a major problem - he is obese. To rid himself of it, he invents a magic slimming tonic and that unleashes his thinner, egotistical, split personality, Buddy Love. That movie ends with a moral that being happy with the way you are is the best way to be. It was sweet, funny and even brilliant (Eddie Murphy played nearly seven different characters).

But the sequel is a major disappointment. It lacks in almost all departments, the exceptions being the special effects and the make-up, which, in any case, would be the least that one would expect.

This time around, Sherman (Eddie Murphy) has invented the elixir of life, and also has a new sweetheart, Prof Denise Gains (Janet Jackson). But there is a problem - the consumption of the slimming tonic has corrupted his genes, and Buddy Love still surfaces, intermittently, to create problems for the sweet Sherman.

Once again, to get rid of the problem, Sherman indulges in a breakthrough DNA extraction that yet again unleashes Buddy Love. From here on, the movie just drifts aimlessly, with repulsive physical jokes and some very sick humor. Even the happy ending doesn't do anything to the bad taste that the movie leaves you with.

Lack of imagination assails this piece, and it is just an attempt to cash in on the original's popularity. Janet Jackson is talented, and has proved herself in movies like Poetic Justice, but is simply wasted here.

Sherman's dad's sexual problem, his oversexed grandmother and Buddy Love (all played by Eddie) are just too much to take. The movie gives you a numbing headache and, unless you like degenerative and loud humor, should definitely be avoided. There is absolutely no saving grace. Even Eddie's portrayal of different roles fails to impress.