Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
Eddie Murphy delights, shocks and entertains with dead-on celebrity impersonations, observations on '80s love, sex and marriage, a remembrance of Mom's hamburgers and much more.
Eddie Murphy Raw is a landmark stand-up concert film showcasing Murphy at the absolute peak of his raw comedic powers. The 'Acting' category here reflects Murphy's extraordinary performance craft — his impersonations, timing, physical comedy, and stage presence are genuinely exceptional. Cinematography is functional at best, standard for concert films of the era with basic multi-camera coverage. Plot is minimal by nature of the format. Novelty earns a 3 as Murphy's voice and persona were distinctive but the concert film format itself was well-established; it builds on Delirious rather than reinventing his approach. The ending wraps without particular distinction. Overall it represents one of the great stand-up performances committed to film.