Image via Complex Original
What can we say? It's about time. Ages have passed since positive buzz surrounded an Eddie Murphy movie (not counting that time you and your buddies got twisted and caught Norbit on cable). Believe it or not, a large part of the critical feedback on his latest flick, Tower Heist, has been uncharacteristically, well, upbeat. Even the most hateful of reviewers seem to be singing praises about how the movie's edgy comedy truly reintroduces viewers to the Eddie of yesteryear.
Rather than gimmicks, fat-suits, and G-rated chuckles, the actor's organic comic chops are once again allowed to shine through, making viewers question if this could officially mark his return to the good, Raw-reminiscent stuff that made him a star. Add onto that that the dude's been tapped to host the 2012 Oscars and everything seems to be in place for what could be one of the greatest comebacks in the business.
How will the star fare? You'll have to check out Tower Heist (which hit theaters yesterday) and be the judge. When it comes maintaining that spot back in Hollywood's good graces, however, we've got Eddie's Rx right here, via our list of 10 Ways That Eddie Murphy Can Stay Cool.
10. Pen Some Tracks for Raphael Saadiq
Little known fact: The Oscar nod-nabbing appearance in Dreamgirls and 1993 release of “Whatzupwitu” are far from the extent of Eddie’s musical endeavors. On the contrary, the actor revealed in a recent Rolling Stone interview that he’s never stopped recording music—he’s only stopped putting it out.
Understandably, dude’s got concerns about not being taken seriously as a musician with all the laughable crossover attempts out there. Fair enough. However, he also mentioned that his boy Raphael Saadiq dug one of his tracks and wanted to record it, proclaiming after that , “If he had a hit record with it and told people, ‘Eddie Murphy wrote that,’ they’d say ‘Get the fuck out of here.’”
Our reaction would probably be something a little closer to “Get the fuck out of here—that’s awesome.”
9. Bury The Hatchet With SNL And Making An Appearance
Remember the last time Eddie hosted Saturday Night Live? Chances are that you don’t, because you were probably in diapers. With the plethora of stars to have graced the SNL stage over the years, you’d think that Eddie Murphy would have made the rounds at least a hundred times, especially with him being a former cast member. However, the last time the actor appeared on the show was in 1984; it was the episode in which he blessed the world with priceless sketches such as “White Like Me” and “Black History Minute.”
Shabaz K. Morton sadly has yet to make a return to the spotlight, and that’s probably because the hateriffic cast—or, more specifically, David Spade—decided to take some nasty shots at his career. Be that as it may, Murphy’s gone on to become one of the show’s most successful alums. Sure, Spade might’ve called him out as a “falling star,” but we’re pretty certain far worse things could be said about the latter’s career. We think it’s high time Murphy and the show put their differences aside and joined forces once again. Why? Because Buckwhat would’ve wanted it that way.
8. Sport The Red Leather “Delirious” Suit At The 2012 Oscars
Steering clear of controversy while struggling to bring three-plus hour' worth of laughs makes hosting the Oscars a notoriously tough gig. It can definitely seem like more of a burden than an honor, which is why we can sympathize with James Franco’s suspected backstage blazing. Anne Hathaway, on the other hand, seemed to be on some sort of uppers—hey, whatever works.
However, watching Eddie Murphy unleash several hours of live, PC material would just feel wrong, particularly when his unapologetically offensive comedy made him the star that he is. Well, just because his material has to be tame doesn’t mean the same need go for his outfit. We can’t think of a better way to kick off the ceremony than watching Eddie take the stage in that iconic red leather outfit from Delirious. While the jokes might be “meh,” that suit will speak volumes.
7. Totally Kill It At The Oscars
Dressing to impress is one thing, but actually doing a dope job captaining an awards ceremony is much easier said than done. Various legendary Hollywood personalities have been called to task here and wound up flopping tremendously. But, if all goes not only smoothly, but ridiculously well, the Oscar stage—in front of countless influential directors, writers, and studio heads—couldn’t be a better jumping off point to breathe some additional life back into the man’s career.
6. Take It Easy With All That Clubbing
While it's acceptable to put in the occasional club appearance or do it big at a premiere’s afterparty, nothing makes a star’s fade more evident than most of their press coming from regular stints (or benders) at clubs. People soon stop associating them with the talent that made them famous and more with various drug-fueled outbursts at Tao. Also not helpful?
The reveler in question tending to be more than twice the age of the rest of the attendees. Eddie Murphy thankfully seems to demonstrate a keen self-awareness when it comes to this, mentioning in an interview, “I’m 50 years old. I’m supposed to be home, chilling.” Way to keep it classy, Eddie.
5. Date Another Younger Hottie
Nicole Mitchell, Melanie Brown, Tracey Edmonds—Eddie’s got quite the track record when it comes to romancing fine-ass women, particularly ones who became successful on their own merits. Why should his new dame be any exception?
Allow us to nominate Zoe Saldana. Is she available? Who cares! We’re always happy to have the Avatar actress gracing our screen—even if it's on the arm of a Hollywood power player such as Mr. Murphy. There are dudes far less deserving out there.
4. Nix The Sequels
Beverly Hills Cop IX? Shrek The XXVth? God help us if we ever reach either point. But when an actor's career is at best lukewarm, the safest bet is always to dip back into the well of proven success and crank out follow-ups to their most popular films. Just look at Vin Diesel; don't expect his future credits much other than more Fast & Furious movies and unwanted Chronicles Of Riddick extensions.
That's one of the things that makes Tower Heist such a good look for Murphy: It's an original idea. OK, it's actually an Ocean's 11 knockoff, but at least Murphy sat down and conceived something fresher than Norbit Strikes Back.
3. Get Back On Stage And Do More Stand-up
We’d like to think that his upcoming Academy Awards hosting gig will be a good means of helping Murphy get back to his stand-up roots. He’s even mentioned that, “If I ever get back onstage, I’m going to have a really great show for you all.”
Unfortunately, the Shrek star has also expressed fears about seizing the live spotlight in the YouTube age, where everything is recorded and comedians are frequently pressured to issue apologies. Per Eddie, “How do you come up with anything?”
Anyone who’s seen Raw should know perfectly well what they’re in for when shelling out for the comic’s stand-up. Shineblockers, check yourselves at the door.
2. Actually Make His Dream Of An All-Black Comedy Extravaganza Happen
Well, that, but actually successful. That’s how we envision Murphy’s original idea for Tower Heist, which featured an all-star cast of black comedians, including Chris Rock, Chris Tucker, Dave Chappelle, Martin Lawrence, Tracy Morgan, and, of course, Murphy himself.
While that concept has obviously since evolved, the star apparently has another dream project in his vault featuring the same crew, roughly titled, get this, Jamal And Tyrell And Omar And Brick And Michael’s Wack-Ass Weekend. With that lineup, we’re sure "wack" is the very last thing that weekend would be.
1. Stay True To That Pledge To Leave Family Movies Alone
Eddie's said it himself: Tower Heist doesn’t mark the beginning of a comeback—the Oscar nominee has been making movies all along (or more specifically, movies that might stand out when looking for a safe pick for your little sister.) However, our dude has also mentioned that he’s ready to get back to big things–big things that don’t involve PG ratings.
Of his appearances in family films, the actor has said, “I don’t have any interest in that right now.” Neither do we, Eddie, neither do we. Though sticking to those guns might not technically usher in a “comeback,” it would certainly allow us to ring in the return of the Eddie we all know, love, and quote freely: "What are you doing on the Island of Love by yourself, girl!?"