'Nutty II': A Large Serving of Crudities By Rita Kempley Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, July 28, 2000

Eddie Murphy stars as majority of the cast in "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps." (Universal Studios)

That's right, the sequel to Eddie Murphy's 1996 hit is a gas. And like his remake of the Jerry Lewis classic, "The Klumps" is defiantly sophomoric, often hilarious and crude as all get-out.

In terms of plot and overall tone, the movie is something of a mess. Not that it much matters, for the film is mainly a showcase for Eddie Murphy's dazzling comic virtuosity and the talents of Rick Baker, the wizard behind Murphy's plus-size prosthetics and convincing makeup as a slew of characters.

Together they resurrect lovable science professor Sherman Klump, the star of Wellman College's biological research center, as well as Klump's outrageously raunchy family (Granny, Mama, Papa and Ernie) and his slimy alter ego, Buddy Love. And you thought Sherman had managed to suppress Buddy the last time around. Alas, Buddy resurfaces just as the portly, painfully shy geneticist prepares to wed his bright and beautiful colleague (Janet Jackson).

When Sherman's dangerous attempts to exorcise him fail, Buddy threatens both his marriage and his career. The scoundrel pops out (and I do mean out) as he learns that Sherman has discovered a Fountain of Youth nostrum, a lucrative property that he plans to steal and sell. The not-so-wily Sherman hides it in the Klump clan's refrigerator, thereby ensuring them a large role in the high jinks to come.

Of course Sherman's true nemesis is his lack of self-esteem, still buried beneath a mountain of blubber despite his romance with another sweet-natured Wellman colleague (Jada Pinkett) in the first film. Like her, his new love interest sees the inner beauty in the learned leviathan.

The movie isn't over till the fat man schwings. And that, unfortunately, is going to take a while.

The Klumps, who had two rib-tickling dinner scenes in "The Nutty Professor," were finger-lickin' good. But sometimes a second helping leads to bloating and, for finicky eaters, guilt and regret. That's definitely the case here. The Klumps are an acquired tastelessness, so a little bit goes a long way.

In addition to more screen time, each relation has his or her own subplot--Granny falls for Buddy; Papa's impotence makes Mama horny; Ernest is jealous of Sherman. Add to that flashbacks and dreamscapes and you have an unwieldy package at best. So it's no wonder that director Peter Segal ("Naked Gun 33 1/3") hasn't managed to make a movie out of the musings of Barry W. Blaustein and David Sheffield ("The Nutty Professor") and Paul and Chris Weitz ("American Pie").

True to their reputations, the writers have gone all-out to top their past efforts. They don't just crack flatulence jokes, they break the wind barrier. That's quite an accomplishment given competition like "Road Trip" and "Scary Movie." Sure, both movies featured the antics of randy youngsters with animal longings and homophobic tendencies. But in "Nutty Professor II," Wellman's dean (Larry Miller) becomes hamophobic after he is mounted by a giant hamster.

Now who says they don't make fun family movies anymore?