Dr. Dolittle
Directors: Betty Thomas
Writters: Nat Mauldin and Larry Levin and is based upon the Doctor Dolittle
Stories by Hugh Lofting.
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Oliver Platt and the voices of Norm
MacDonald, Chris Rock, Albert Brooks
John's Review
The surprise sleeper of the summer is no surprise. This
delightfull family film is fun and funny. Eddie Murphy does a great job of bringing out
the laughs, and in nice way, unlike his 80's shtick. Imagine a cross between Babe and The
Nutty Professor.
The story begins with Dr. Doolittle (Murphy) long before he ever
becomes a doctor. As a child he has an amazing ability to speak to and understand animals.
His father who thinks he is starting to act strangely has his dog taken away. Without an
animal to talk to Doolittle soon forgets his ability and grows to become a successful
family practitioner.
One night on the way home from work he inadvertantly hits a dog
(MacDonald), amazingly the dog tells him to watch where he's going. Doolittle understands
and thinks he's hit his head and that he's imagining this. The next few days involve
Doolittle denying that he can hear animals. And thinking that he's crazy everytime he can.
Finally Doolittle comes face to face with his fear and has to make a
choice between his business which his one partner (Platt) wants to sell and his other
partner does not and his new found abilities (that also include moral choices).
Along the way way Doolittle helps a lion (Brooks) and Guinea Pig (Rock)
and several other woodland animals. Which makes this delightful for children.
The humour and jokes are aimed directly at children but adults can find
them funny as well. The store is well told and Murphy is very charismatic in this role.
The movie ends on a moral note basically saying that it is okay to be yourself and not try
to be something your not.
I highly recommend seeing this for the whole family it is delightfully
fun and a big surprise. Children will love it and parents will love wathcing it with their
children.
Grade: B-
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