The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps might have been called The Klumps Dine Out. That's the best part of the film. Klump family meals are momentous marathons of gluttony and bathroom buffoonery. Symphonies of manic mouth stuffing, the Klumps have a way with their food. And they can make you laugh at the dinner table despite any reservations you might have made at a fancy restaurant. Let's face it: Klumps know their food. The secret of a good Klump movie is to keep them busy feasting.  The highlight of each of the two Nutty Professor movies are these broad dinner tableaus featuring all of the Klumps showing off their best table manners.

Eddie times three. Seamless special effect! ©Universal

   Sherman Klump is still a rock solid influence on the rest of the Klump family. Good nature in tact, once again Sherman does battle to contain his alter ego, Buddy Love. This time out the formula gets out of the bottle and a limp script prevents Sherman from showing his best traits; thankfully, Buddy is less "out there." There is much more of the Klump family, but but they only sing at the dinner table. There are those "nuggets" of disgusting toilet humor to contend with and when there's restraint, there's laughter. But how many laughs can you get from gaseous sounds. There ought to be a law: One gaseous utterance per movie allowed and no more.
    Clearly. one of the main stars of the film is the hilarious make-up work of Rick Baker. Baker provides star Eddie Murphy with miraculous make-up to change magically from character to character. Eddie Murphy is nothing short of amazing in the various Klump incarnations. Each Klump has their own distinctive voice, mannerisms, and style, yet they are clearly part of the same family. Janet Jackson provides a sweet love interest for Sherman.
     The Nutty Professor II is packaged as a special edition from Universal. Director Peter Segal is on hand to deliver an audio commentary. Segal's observations are realistic. He recognizes when the film is pandering to audience tastes. The nicely made Spotlight on Location features comments by director and behind the scenes shots. There are deleted scenes, an extended restaurant scene and a couple of outtakes. A highlight of the special edition are two  Klump make-up sessions presented with in time lapse reveal. Another feature is Janet Jackson's music video Doesn't Really Matter. Story board comparisons and a theatrical trailer complete the special edition package.
     A splendid DVD, The Nutty Professor II delivers every Klumped up detail with dead on accuracy. You peruse Klump make-up magic, background details are sharp and there is no obvious edge enhancement manipulation. Color is fully saturated and perfectly controlled. Contrast provides theatrical snap to the home theater images and brightness levels are outstanding. Dean Semler's bright camera style literally jumps off the screen. The Dolby Digital 5:1 Surround Sound is active and antic, announcing disgusting details with more punch than I'd care to comment on.

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