Eddie Murphy is one of the most likable comedians working in Hollywood. In the past few decades, he has had famous roles in iconic comedies such as Beverly Hills Cop and Coming To America. And while his career has had its ups and downs, it's always entertaining to see what Murphy has to offer.
With the recent release of his long-awaited sequel to Coming 2 America on Amazon Prime Video, it's time to look back on Murphy's career and examine some of the highs and lows of the hilarious comedian's filmography.
A Thousand Words (0%)
Like with Norbit, this is another collaboration between Murphy and director Brian Robbins. Murphy stars as a fast-talking literary agent who discovers he can only say a thousand words before he dies. It's a fairly ridiculous premise that feels like it's trying to replicate the success of '90s comedies like Liar Liar, but most felt that it ultimately failed to have anything funny, wasting its cast on mediocre comedy.
It's a film that takes away Murphy's ability to speak, his greatest comedic asset. While films like this have soured Murphy's career for some, the best of his work remains a delightful treat.
The Adventures Of Pluto Nash (4%)
A film that has gained notoriety for being one of the biggest box office bombs in cinematic history, this sci-fi action comedy features Murphy as Pluto Nash, the successful owner of the hottest nightclub in the universe in 2087.
The movie was panned by critics and audiences alike, with many finding the film lacking any amusing humor. The film ended up with five Razzie nominations and ultimately grossed a measly $7.1 million against its $100 million budget, one of the most expensive flops of all time.
Norbit (9%)
One of the many sore spots of Murphy's 2000s career is Norbit, a film he co-produced, co-wrote, and starred in. He portrays a shy man named Norbit, Norbit's wife named Rasputia, and a Chinese-American orphanage owner, Hangten Wong.
The film has been lambasted by critics for being an unfunny mess, with criticisms directed at the film's political incorrectness and stereotypical comedy.
Beverly Hills Cop III (9%)
While Murphy's role as wisecracking cop Axel Foley was met with critical praise in the original Beverly Hills Cop, the two sequels faced a colder reception, with the trilogy capper being considered the worst film in the action-comedy series.
Despite Murphy's previously established working relationship with John Landis, the two had conflicting visions during production. In a Collider interview, Landis revealed that he initially disliked the script, but had faith in Murphy to make it funny. However, Murphy decided Foley would be older and more mature in this installment, a decision which took away from much of the character's comedy.
Vampire In Brooklyn (12%)
Iconic horror director Wes Craven directs Vampire in Brooklyn, a horror-comedy that stars Murphy as Maximilian, the last survivor in his race of vampires who arrives in Brooklyn to live past the next full moon.
While the film was faced with negative reviews upon release, some have reappraised the film as a cult classic, appreciating Craven's direction and the chemistry between Murphy and his co-star, Angela Bassett.
Trading Places (88%)
Perhaps one of the most influential comedies ever made, Trading Places stars Dan Aykroyd as a commodities broker and Eddie Murphy as a street con artist. Once they find their positions reversed, hilarious antics ensue in this comedy about race, labor, and class.
It's a hilarious film that revitalized the screwball comedy genre. While the racist and homophobic jokes have definitely aged poorly, this is a classic comedy with scenes that remain relevant to this day.
Shrek (88%)
After previously dipping his toe into voice acting in Mulan, this film shows more of Murphy's charm as he voices Donkey, a talking donkey who joins Shrek the ogre in his quest to save Princess Fiona and win his swamp back.
Murphy provides much of the film's comic relief with his rant about parfait and his unexpected romance with the dragon guarding Fiona. Shrek has become one of the most iconic animated films of recent years, spawning a very successful franchise.
Shrek 2 (89%)
Murphy's second outing voicing the character of Donkey earned an even more positive reception. Shrek 2 features Shrek and Donkey going on another adventure to put Shrek's true love with Fiona to its test. It improves on the original and puts the characters in interesting new directions.
Part of what helps the film is the introduction of Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots and the rivalry that ensues between Donkey and Puss. This is resolved by the end when Donkey and Puss perform a cover of "Livin' La Vida Loca."
48 Hrs. (93%)
This is the film that revitalized the buddy cop genre in the 1980s and set off a series of films such as Lethal Weapon, Rush Hour, and Bad Boys. Murphy stars in 48 Hrs. in his film debut with Nick Nolte. The two play a mismatched pair who must team up to find two cop killers.
It received critical acclaim, and Murphy received a Golden Globe nomination for his role as Reggie Hammond. While the sequel to the film received much less favorable reviews, this film has stood the test of time as a wonderful buddy-cop action-comedy.
Dolemite Is My Name (97%)
After Murphy spent the majority of the 2010s with an inactive film career, he made a resounding return to form in Dolemite Is My Name. This is one of the finest films of Murphy's career, as he portrays Rudy Ray Moore, a filmmaker/comedian who played the character of Dolemite in his stand-up and blaxploitation films.
Murphy taps into something truly wonderful in his portrayal, with a likable presence on screen. He is magnetic in a movie filled with fantastic performances, sharp writing, and a charming story about a man making a movie with his friends.