Subtlety is not Mr Murphy's strong point, but on the, whole his spiky charm saves both him and the movie.

John Landis directs the slim affair at a riskily leisured pace; but with some enjoyment from supporting characters such as James Earl Jones as the King and Eriq LaSalle as the Prince's rival for spunky Shari Headley.

This comedy is generally tame and sappy... what we get is homogenized Eddie Murphy, drained of his kinetic comic charm and smiling sass.

Director John Landis, who has given new meaning to the word "cynical" in Hollywood, helms the film listlessly.