Feature 8.0
Video 8.9
Audio 8.9
Special Features 7.0
Total 8.1
Distributor: Paramount
Classification:
M15+
Running Time: 98 Minutes
Reviewer:
Tyrone William

8.1


Norbit

Have you ever made a really big mistake?

Originally when I saw the preview for Norbit, I immediately thought the Nutty Professor 2 and cringed at another Eddie Murphy movie that was a rehash of old gags and fart jokes. I was wrong.

This humorous story revolves around Norbit whose luck has always been out of his reach for this entire life and when his parents throw him out of their car as a baby, our luckless hero is opted by Mr. Wong (Eddie Murphy) who happens to run a Chinese restaurant orphanage.

As a child Norbit quickly befriends Kate (Thandie Newton) and they soon become childhood sweethearts but as luck would have it, Kate is torn away from Norbit and his girlfriend is adopted.

The loveless Norbit is soon befriended by overweight and overbearing Rasputia (Eddie Murpy) and a one sided romance begins. Rasputia soon forces marriage upon Norbit and just when Norbit thinks his life is set in stone and misery, luck has had a chance of heart and our hero stumbles upon Kate and their love is rekindled, only to be thrown in jeopardy by the cheating Rasputia.

Murphy does an amazing job at playing all three totally different characters in this entertaining comedy, whether its the racist and stereotypically Mr. Wong, the shy and bumbling nice guy Norbit or the obese and sometimes vulgar Rasputia, the way Murphy plays off against himself is sheer genius.

Norbit contains a steady amount of humour throughout the movie, although in some places it is quite clichéd and predictable but this is what Murphy does best, making viewers laugh and this is the perfect movie for those that wish to laugh out loud.

The video and sound quality of Norbit is a first class movie experience that contains vibrant colours, sharp pictures and high definition Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Match that with a plethora of special features such as the insightful "Man of 1,000 Faces" featurette which explains to the viewer how all three characters appear onscreen at once is truly fascinating. Recommended stuff!

Special Features:

    * The Making of Norbit
    * Man of 1,000 Faces
    * Power Tap
    * The Stunts of Norbit
    * Deleted Scenes
    * Photo Gallery
    * Theatrical Trailer