Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (PG-13) No Rating

Jumbo-sized genius Sherman Klump and his uncouth kinfolk are back -- ruder, cruder and slightly funnier than they were in the 1996 smash "The Nutty Professor."

Story

Kindly chemistry whiz Sherman (Eddie Murphy) has found the love of his life in cutie colleague Denise (Janet Jackson), who appreciates the heart of gold beneath his extra-large exterior. But the hero's happiness is threatened when his irrepressible alter-ego Buddy Love (Murphy) reappears with a scheme to wreak havoc with Sherman's newly discovered youth potion.

Acting

"The Klumps" displays Murphy's remarkable talent for submerging himself in diverse characters even more prominently than the original did. He impressively expands upon the four Klump family members he plays with the aid of Rick Baker's Oscar-winning prosthetic makeup effects -- especially his hilarious turn as sex-crazed Granny Klump. Larry Miller is amusingly caustic as the dean of Sherman's college, while pop diva Jackson deserves credit simply for keeping a straight face opposite Murphy's various incarnations.

Direction

Peter Segal ("Tommy Boy") hands in a polished if not particularly inspired piece of broad comedy that achieves its primary purpose -- staying out of Murphy's way as he works his special magic. The filmmakers pay little attention to the brainless, shamelessly mechanical plotline, devoting nearly all their energy to fart and sex gags that, if anything, aim lower than the original film's. We're talking about a flick draws one of its biggest laughs from a character getting sodomized by a giant hamster. Baby, that's nasty!

Bottom Line

Six Murphys add up to pig heaven for gross-out humor lovers. More refined viewers beware: This professor has no class.

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Starring Eddie Murphy, Janet Jackson, Larry Miller and John Ales.

Directed by Peter Segal. Produced by Brian Grazer. Screenplay by Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield, Paul Weitz and Chris Weitz. Released by Universal.