The Nutty Professor

Movie review by Joly Herman, Common Sense Media
The Nutty Professor Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 7+

Animated update of Jerry Lewis film is all about bullying.

PG 2008 76 minutes
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 5+

Based on 2 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Nutty Professor -- also called The Nutty Professor II: Facing the Fear -- doesn't have much to do with the Jerry Lewis classic, even though Lewis does provide the voice of Harold's grandfather. There's lots of bullying, and Harold becomes addicted to the chemical formula he develops. The film is less about facing fear than being overwhelmed by terrifying situations -- stick to the original if you're looking for a good movie for kids.

Community Reviews

Kekkington
Kekkington Adult
December 14, 2018
age 18+

A beautiful coming of age movie

This film showcases the harsh childhood that this professor had, and why he became nutty, this was due to him being beaten by his pet cat after both his parents were killed by him at a science expo when he "accidentally" made a Molotov cocktail whilst experimenting, it lit up after it was struck by lightning and he accidentally threw it at his parents, sorry for the spoilers, back to the review, well this scientist goes to art school but is rejected, he then moves to germany; from Austria where he grew up, and joins the german workers party, ofcourse this is set in the 1890-1940's, where he works his way up and eventually becomes the leader of the party, which he has renamed the National Socialist German Workers' Party, Nazi for short, this is an incredibly original plot as who would have thought such an innocent boy would amount to so much, if you're looking for something to watch with your family, then this is the final solution

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
AuntD1973
AuntD1973 Adult
February 27, 2010
age 7+
- not for preschoolers!
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Harold Kelp, amateur inventor, is working on an experimental engine, only to be disturbed by an angry mob out for his hide. Harold's many experiments had gone awry, raising an outcry for his ouster. Luckily, Harold receives an acceptance letter to The Cerebrum Academy, an esteemed science boarding school where his grandfather Professor Julius Kelp (Jerry Lewis) teaches. Harold accepts and finds himself once more surrounded by bullies who want to beat him up merely for the fun of it. To cope with the pressure, Harold concocts a formula that will bring out his inner, most desirable self, a demon named Jack, who appears cooler, but is ultimately out to control Harold by any means possible.

Is It Any Good?

All of the cool gadgets that could have been displayed in this movie take a backseat to the social pressures that Harold is faced with. Sadly, Jerry Lewis and Drake Bell's voice talents are largely wasted on a script that focuses on getting the girl and getting beaten up. Particularly disturbing is the inner voice that urges Harold to drink the potion so that he can be cool. Sounds a little bit like peer pressure to drink. Jerry Lewis' inner cool guy also appears as an alter-ego character called Buddy Love, who fights with Harold's alter-ego, Jack. So not only are bullies attacking Harold from the outside world, but he's bullied by his inner voice and has a fistfight with his grandfather. Not cool.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Harold is always being bullied. Why isn't anyone looking after Harold in this school for nerds? Why is his grandfather being bullied too? Is this just the way things go in the world? What would you do if you were Harold?

Movie Details

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