Old vs New: Nutty Professor - Nostalgia Critic

Overview

The Nostalgia Critic compares The Nutty Professor (Eddie Murphy) and The Nutty Professor (Jerry Lewis) in a classic “Old vs New” style. The review breaks the comparison into story, supporting cast, and the comedic lead, then ultimately chooses a winner.

Main Plot (Setup of Both Films)

Both movies share the same core premise:

• A socially awkward scientist invents (or transforms himself with) a potion.
• He becomes the opposite of himself through an alter ego:
  • Buddy Love: the confident, attractive, charming persona.
• The twist: Buddy Love increasingly becomes self-centered and cruel, hurting others while the scientist loses control of the consequences.

Story Highlights (Key Differences + Jokes)

• The video argues both films follow a similar “Jackal and Hyde” structure, but the newer version places more emphasis on humiliation and emotional pain.
• In the Lewis version, the scientist is publicly mocked through comedic chaos and personality switching—sometimes awkward, but often funny. The review praises moments that feel unpredictable rather than strictly structured.
• A major Critic complaint about the Lewis movie: “Why does this happen, then not happen again?” After the initial transformation gimmick, the film reportedly stops revisiting it with the same momentum.
• The Critic also calls out some jokes as out of tone—including cartoony moments that don’t match the film’s aims.
• At least one moment is described as visually surreal, breaking reality (e.g., the girlfriend going out-of-focus / a “space and time” gag).
• Near the end of the Lewis version, the review questions the moral logic:
  • The professor gives an inspirational “be yourself” speech.
  • Later, the girlfriend appears to steal some of the formula—raising the question of whether she’ll misuse it.

Supporting Cast (Where the Review Says the Movie “Pops”)

The review argues the supporting performances often differentiate the films.

Love Interest / Student Angle

• Lewis version: the love interest is described as creepy due to age/teacher-student implications. The video also notes inconsistencies in casting/appearance (students looking older than “college” should imply).
• Murphy version: her role is seen as more believable (portrayed as a graduate student/teacher), though the Critic finds her more generic—less memorable than Lewis’s no-nonsense personality.

The Bully (Big Comedy Win for the New Version)

• Dave Chappelle’s bully in the Murphy film earns significant praise for screen time and escalating punchlines.
• The review highlights a major “revenge” bit where he delivers exaggerated insults—quoting absurd lines about someone’s appearance/body/heritage.
• The Lewis bully is also called funny, but the revenge element is described as less effective—more talk/lecture than big comedic payoff.

The Dean (Lewis Version’s Standout)

• The Critic singles out the dean from the Lewis movie as especially hilarious.
• The dean is praised for a tight-ass persona, over-the-top delivery, and rapid mood switching—making him a memorable recurring comedic type.

Family / Multiple-Person Effect

• Murphy: the “family” scenes (multiple characters played by Murphy) are described as humorous but more distracting—more spectacle/effects than pure jokes.
• Lewis: fewer “family” characters are described as tighter, more direct, and funnier at a faster pace because they’re integrated into the comedy more efficiently.

Comedic Lead (The “Heart” and the Personas)

This is the decisive section: who’s funnier and more emotionally credible?

Professor Performance

• Lewis is praised for goofy fragility and vulnerable emotional moments—especially the ending speech.
• Murphy is praised for being more socially legible/identifiable: even when he does horrible things, the Critic feels the personality and motivation are clearer.

Buddy Love / Persona Critique

• Lewis’s Buddy Love: intended as a confident “Dean Martin”-style charm persona, but the Critic argues it lands more as an insecure act-like jerk rather than truly charming.
• Murphy’s Buddy Love: wilder and over-the-top, but with a clear “lust for life” vibe—more likable even when wrong, which makes the transformation feel more believable.

Final Verdict (Who Wins)

The Nostalgia Critic gives the overall win to the Eddie Murphy version, arguing:

• Murphy’s characters feel more complete
• The film is more focused
• The comedy works more consistently
• The supporting cast and Buddy Love portrayal deliver a more coherent overall “fun”

Notable Jokes / Reactions Called Out

• “Professor gets heckled by a comedian” and the film’s emotional humiliation beats.
• Multiple-personality/alter crossover gags (split-person confusion timing).
• Repeated mocking of Lewis-era logic-breaking visuals/jokes and out-of-tone material.
• Dave Chappelle’s standout “bully revenge” insult sequence (absurd, exaggerated lines).

Personalities Appearing (Per the Subtitles)

• The Nostalgia Critic (host/narrator)
• Eddie Murphy (as the lead in the “new” version)
• Jerry Lewis (as the lead in the “old” version)
• Dave Chappelle (as the bully in the Murphy film)
• “Buddy Love” (character/persona)
• The professor (character)