Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000) 1/2 star out of 4. Starring Eddie Murphy, Eddie Murphy, Eddie Murphy, Eddie Murphy, Eddie Murphy, Eddie Murphy, Eddie Murphy, Eddie Murphy, Janet Jackson and Larry Miller. Screenplay by Barry W. Blaustein & David Sheffield and Paul Weitz & Chris Weitz. Story by Steve Oedekerk, Blaustein & Sheffield. Directed by Peter Segal. Rated PG-13
"Nutty Professor II: The Klumps" is a prime example of why movie sequels are usually scorned and derided.
There is absolutely no reason for this movie except to fatten the wallets of Universal Pictures and of the cast member -probably Eddie Murphy - who has a percentage deal with the studio.
The movie is like its hero, Sherman Klump, fat, ungainly and leaden.
It is a cynical offering concocted by a goulash of writers who couldn't move beyond tired flatulence jokes and making fun of old people having sex.
They even threw in a tired fantasy sequence lamely spoofing "Armageddon" and "Star Wars." How pathetic.
"Nutty Professor II" is basically an ego trip for Murphy who not only portrays Professor Sherman Klump, but also assays the roles of Granny Klump, Mama Klump, Papa Klump, Young Papa Klump, brother Ernie Klump, Lance Perkins and Buddy Love.
And I bet if given the opportunity, Murphy would have also played the giant mutant hamster.
The silly story revolves around a genetic youth formula invented by Sherman, which is stolen by the re-animated Buddy Love who has been genetically removed from Sherman's body then accidentally brought back to life via a dog's DNA.
Don't ask or try to understand because it doesn't make a lick of sense. And neither does the film.
It's merely one big excuse for Murphy to parade around in old-person drag bouncing a fake pair of breasts, as if it were the height of humor.
Even Jerry Lewis, who is listed as one of the picture's executive producers, should be embarrassed to have his name in the credits.
OK, Bloom, you're asking, a couple of weeks ago you raved about "Scary Movie," in which the low-brow humor was heavy on sex, bodily fluids and bodily functions. So, Mr. Critic, what's the difference between the two?
Simple, "Scary Movie "- in its own disgusting way - was spoofing a known genre while also laughing at itself. "Nutty Professor II" simply mocks the audience, making you feel like a sucker for shelling out a few bucks to waste your time with this tired turkey.
"Nutty Professor II" spends so much time showing off Rick Baker's excellent make-up effects that it forgot the jokes. You need more than a versatile actor such as Murphy dressing up as various people to propel a movie. You need to build a plot, create characters with substance and situations that offer a payoff - whether comic or dramatic - to involve the audience.
"Nutty Professor II" does none of these. And it is too bad because I always have liked Eddie Murphy, and I yearn for the old Murphy who was so smart and sassy in "Trading Places," "48 HRS" and the original "Beverly Hills Cop."
Murphy showed great promise as a comic actor. Instead he became a movie star.
"Nutty Professor II" should do well for a week or two at the box office. Then, like most sequels of its ilk, it will be forgotten, eventually consigned to the bargain bins at various video stores and discount houses where it belongs.
Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, IN.. He can be reached by e-mail at bloom@journal-courier.com or at bobbloom@iquest.net Bloom's reviews can be found on the Internet Movie Database at: http://www.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Bob+Bloom
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