Eddie Murphy - Delirious [1983]

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Light years before political correctness--1983 to be exact--or his comeback in tame Disney comedies, Eddie Murphy was a charismatic, wonderfully offensive, egocentric 22-year-old black comedian known for crude celebrity impersonations and often shockingly frank diatribes on racial and sexual politics. Dressed in a skin-tight red leather suit and delivering endless streams of obscenities faster than Richard Pryor ever did, Murphy is captured in this raunchy HBO special (a filmed document of his Grammy-winning album, Eddie Murphy, Comedian) at his confident, swaggering, comedic peak--a posture that soon disappeared after a string of bland Hollywood comedies. Here, however, his energy and sheer virtuosity command complete control over the audience for 107 minutes, whether he's mocking personalities like Elvis, James Brown, and Stevie Wonder, or spinning long, gag-filled personal anecdotes about the ice-cream man or dysfunctional family barbecues. There's no apologizing for the immature stereotyping, blatant homophobia, and sexism (though Murphy did so several years later) that surface during the routine. But, then again, unlike his much nastier, one-sided concert film, Raw, no topic here is safe from Murphy's uproarious tongue-lashings--including the comedian himself. --Dave McCoy

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Customer reviews

review by: A New Yorker date: 2007-06-25 rating:
It's so nice to see the old Eddie again!,
I LOVE this routine. Eddie Murphy is and always will be a comedy genius. The film is side splitting from the outset; Eddie just seems to bring that uniqueness to the stage and makes the most basic thing funny. Revisiting "Delirious" 24 years after its creation is great to have. The material does seem to have aged as well as the transformation to this disc, but it's hilarious.

The look of Eddie and some of the pop culture it consists of gives it away that this is the '80s; however, enough of the material is comprised of solid universal themes it remains funny. I still laugh myself senselessly when Murphy launches into "I got some ice cream, I got some ice cream!" or "I want half!" He's a filthy mouthed funny guy that reminds me of Richard Pryor's vulgarity coupled with Bill Cosby's charm. He is a brilliant comedian with a tremendous standup presence. It's a shame Murphy has given up live performance, because "Delirious" proves he was a master of the comedy stage.

The shocking thing watching the special is how offensive Murphy was back in the day, and how he offers no apology for the material. He was more hyper than he is now, more irreverent, and also a lot cockier. He does come off as a homophobe with his insensitive remarks, but you have to keep the era in context. He was protested by gay groups all along this tour, and surely outside of this venue picketers could be found (which was Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.). If you're sensitive about politically incorrect topics against homosexuals and women, you just might want to veer away from this item. Other than that, "Delirious" is a great disc to own right now but was so long overdue.

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review by: The Amazon Reviewer date: 2007-04-23 rating:
Mr.T ..Will you please.......?
I watched this film a few times in the 90's and nearly split my sides laughing each time. I love Eddie Murphy as an actor, but this stand up is some thing else. He is SO funny. Even the P.C. brigade would find this hilarious. It's a must watch, and even better if you've got the guys or girls in for a drink. The take off of Michael Jackson is so like him, if you close your eyes you believe it's him singing. The things he describes are true to life and you would seriously have to have a humour bypass if you thought this was not funny. Anyway, highly recommended, hope you enjoy.

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review by: date: 2007-04-16 rating:
At last................................
I first watched this show when I was a student (late '80's). I've waited for it to come out on DVD for years and at last it's here! Forget RAW this show is a 100 times better. 20 years later my wife and I still quote from this show. My 8 year old son looks at me gone out when I here the ice cream van and launch into the routine. I could go on for ages (but won't) If you haven't seen it and like Eddie Murphy, buy it - it's his best ever. If you have seen it you won't need me to convince you.

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review by: date: 2007-03-26 rating:
Eddie Murphy when he was funny
It is hard to believe that that Eddie Murphy used to be funny but this DVD is the only proof...


review by: date: 2007-03-23 rating:
About time!
I can't believe this has taken so long to become available. I know Eddie Murphy was reluctant to back a release because of the somewhat politically incorrect content. (Please view it with this in mind). I'm glad he's relented. It is simply a classic.

I have lost count of how many times I watched this on VHS with friends in my late teens/early twenties (late 80's/early 90's). It is simply gut-bustingly hilarious and will have you crying with laughter. Most people around my age can quote huge chunks of it.
The ice cream man, the shoe throwing....
Most of us have also spent many years trying to track it down on any format, at almost any price. It still rates as one of the funniest stand-up routines I have ever seen.

I almost jumped out of my chair when I read it was being released at last.

Buy it!!

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