Eddie Murphy: Raw (1987)
Film:
DVD:

Written by Eddie Murphy with a sketch by Murphy and Keenen Ivory Wayans
Directed by Robert Townsend
Performed by Eddie Murphy

Released by: Paramount
Rating: R
Region: 1
Anamorphic: Yes.

My Advice: Fans should own.

This film and I have a history. I remember seeing this in the cinema and having a blast. And then I remember watching it numerous times over a particular summer on VHS, laughing every time. Whether it's Eddie's prolonged rant about "Half!" and his bride-to-be, Oomfufu, or his famous response to Bill Cosby, or even his mother's idea of a great burger...it's just funny.

There's only so much one can say about this, seeing as how it's Murphy on stage doing stand-up. Probably the most striking thing about watching this after so much time has passed is just how shockingly unfunny Murphy is today. Reduced to either playing his same schtick or working family fare--or both--his career today is a far cry from when he was literally hurting people with laughter, like in this film.

There are no features for the release, which is also a shame. I'm sure Murphy doesn't want to endanger Dr. Dolittle 3, so he tried to pass this one under the radar. Just a theory. But I would have loved to have seen an interview with Murphy, especially if you could get an interview from the late 80s to counter it with. Let's face it, we're dealing with a different guy--a married one, for one thing.

Fans of the film, like myself, are going to want to own this because it's just some of his best work ever. However if you don't have the same attachment, you should at least give it a rental and either relive the thing or experience it for the first time. Be aware that it's nowhere near politically correct and is absolutely packed with profanity, but it simply must be seen. Because damn, that man used to be funny.