Docteur Dolittle 2

Dr. John Dolittle (Eddie Murphy) is more successful than ever honing in on his new animal communication skills. With his dog Lucky (Norm Macdonald) at his side, he is able to help multitudes of animals. His daughter Charisse Dolittle (Raven-Symoné) is annoyed with him. It's her sweet sixteen and two rats pop out of her cake. To appease her, he promises to take the family on an European vacation away from the animals. He drives to the woods to meet the Godfather beaver. The animals are concerned about encroaching humans and the clear cutting of the forest. He needs an endangered animal to save the forest. Eugene Wilson tells him about unique female bear Ava (Lisa Kudrow) but they need to reintroduce male circus bear Archie (Steve Zahn) into the wild. Oppositing them are lumber company owner Joe Potter (Jeffrey Jones) and his lawyer Riley (Kevin Pollak).

It has some functional kids' movie aspects. The talking animals are funny sometimes although Steve Zahn may not be the best wacky voice actor. There is a lot of low brow humor. It could be good but the situation is too manufactured and the cabin setting is too fake. It has some good laughs but the story gets too tiresome. Kids might like this but even they should be bored by courtroom drama and corporate powerplay.

A few months ago, I saw "Doctor Dolittle" (the 1998 remake) for the first time in years. I liked it when I was twelve years old, so I was curious to know what I would think after growing up, despite having low expectations. My expectations were surpassed slightly, but if I had never seen "Dr. Dolittle 2" before, its predecessor wouldn't have been enough to make me interested in seeing it, but I did see it about four years ago, and enjoyed it. I was seventeen, past this movie's targeted audience, but didn't tend to watch a lot of movies at the time. I just watched this sequel again, and my once again low expectations were not surpassed at all.

Dr. John Dolittle has become famous for his ability to communicate with animals, but lately, he has also been having trouble with his family. One day, he is brought to the forest to see the Godbeaver, and learns that the forest is rapidly being cut down. The animals who live in this forest are counting on Dr. Dolittle to save their habitat, and in order to do so, the doctor must attempt to get a female Pacific Western bear in the forest named Ava together with a male so he can save the species! He gets a male bear of this species named Archie from a circus, and begins his attempt to get him adjusted to life in the wild and teach him how to win Ava's heart, both of which are easier said than done! It doesn't help that Archie has to compete with a Kodiak bear named Sonny, and logging company owner Joe Potter is determined to get his way!

Although I found no huge laughs in "Doctor Dolittle", I did find some minor ones. However, in this sequel, I found none. I smiled at times, but VERY rarely and briefly. Like its predecessor, "Dr. Dolittle 2" contains some juvenile excretion jokes, though it is a TAD cleaner, for better or worse (since it was aimed at kids, many would probably say it's for the better). These jokes are usually lame, if not always, a good example being the scene where Archie has diarrhea. There are also some embarrassing lines in the script, such as the one Dr. Dolittle has, humiliating his daughter, Charisse by telling her boyfriend how she tried to get out of diapers early and made messes around the house. Fortunately, the movie isn't totally filled with these problems, but most of the film is basically average and forgettable in my book.

Both Dr. Dolittle films starring Eddie Murphy are rather cheesy, and would definitely appeal to kids more than anyone else, but this one more so than the original. If you don't like the 1998 film, then you probably wouldn't like this one, either, but if you do, then you STILL might not like this sequel. "Dr. Dolittle 2" may have a slightly better plot than its predecessor, but overall, it is inferior, not that I'm saying the original is really that good. If you ask me, 1998's "Doctor Dolittle" is very close to being strictly for kids, and this sequel is right there. Remembering the film's targeted audience, I guess it deserves some credit, but if you're not part of that audience, and are not a parent of anyone who is, I wouldn't say there's any need to bother. After watching this, I definitely won't be watching the straight-to-video "Dr. Dolittle 3".

"Dr. Dolittle 2" is pretty much what you would expect out of a family comedy, only a tad more crude. We could've done with maybe one less gag about animal urination. The plot is a pious, predictable one involving the preservation of an endangered species of bears. You know, one of those storylines that's supposed to deliver a "message" to all the young ones out there.

Like usual, we have the talking animals voiced by a variety of celebrities. Steve Zahn lends his voice to one of the lead animal characters. He's actually quite funny at times, as a bear/circus performer who's overcome by stardom, and now that he found out he's part of an endangered species he has to learn how to live like a normal bear: start hibernating, eating fish, etc. Lisa Kudrow is the voice of his love interest. Michael Rapaport is funny as a racoon who's the henchman of an alleged animal Mafia.

Since the Dolittle's daughter (Raven-Symone) is all grown-up, we have to expect the obvious romantic subplot in which she hits puberty and engages in an active dating life. Her father, naturally, has doubts about her new supposedly rebellious boyfriend (Lil' Zane). So we're dragged through that unnecessary subplot, which pretty much serves as filler to complete a running time of 100 minutes.

Lately, Eddie Murphy has been tackling PG projects like this and "Shrek." A few years back, he took a try at cleaning his act when doing a voice-over for Disney's "Mulan." Then again, in the flop "Holy Man." I have to admire him for showing his more sanitized approach to comedy. Despite his inability to use the "f" word, he proves he's still a multi-talented comedian and not a talented comedian whose act is totally watered-down and dull because of being forced to clean up his mouth. Though he pretty much plays the straight man (I also have to admire him for his discipline, in remaining subdued and in character rather than viewing the movie as no more than a showcase for his comedy), he still belts out some witty one-liners and proves to be just as funny as his animal companions.

I don't really have any strong opinions about this movie. It's harmless, but it could've used a major rewrite. It's funny at times, but could've been a lot funnier (and less crude). Don't worry, you won't be seeing any gags involving birds crapping into people's mouths or a thermometer getting stuck into a dog's behind. The film has just enough crudeness to achieve the PG rating, but we still could've done without it. Your kids will be rolling in the aisles, while the adults may want to take a few popcorn and bathroom breaks. Not bad (especially for a sequel), but forgettable and even somewhat dull. You're better off catching this one on video.

My score: 6 (out of 10)

Loose non-musical adaptation of the 1967 movie has Eddie Murphy in this follow-up playing straight man to a group of furry friends voiced by the likes of Steve Zahn, Lisa Kudrow, Mike Epps, Jacob Vargas, Michael Rapaport, Isaac Hayes, Andy Dick, Joey Lauren Adams, David Cross, David DeLuise. Here Murphy Dr. John Dolittle the beloved doctor is back, living with his intimate family, wife (Kristen Wilson and children (Raven-Symoné, Kyla Pratt), but this time around he plays cupid to bumbling circus bear Archie as he's so smitten by a Pacific Western bear female, Ava. Dr. Dolittle must help a group of forest creatures to save their forest against enemies (Kevin Pollak, Jeffrey Jones) who want to destroy it . The good doctor goes back, persuaded to save the forest from human developers. With the aid of his mangy, madcap animal friends, Dr. Dolittle must teach Archie the ways of true romance in time to save his species and his home before their habit is gone. Dolittle is reduced to reacting lamely and is upstaged throughout by the wisecracking critters. He doesn't just talk to the animals!.Dolittle Is Back !. The doctor is in again !. The Doctor Is Back! For thousands of year animals have been trying to tell us something, but their cries have fallen on deaf ears...until they found John Dolittle !. This Summer...The Doctor is In Learn to talk in 500 animal languages from a parrot who speaks 1000!.The most joyous entertainment for the whole family! You've never seen anything like it in your life!.

An enjoyable adventure about a botcher doctor, regaining his wit and courage as he makes friends, crosses adversaries and encounters wondrous creatures created by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. The marvelous and agreeable premise suffers, at times, from a poor and weak script, this time Dolittle is faced with the challenge of reintroducing a circus bear into the wild in order to save a forest . Children will find this flick very amusing thanks to Eddie Murphy 's stunning acting, a lot of beloved animals, colorful cinematography and sympathetic script. May pack a bit too much bathroom for some family tastes. Gastrointestinal, flatulence and other bodily functions dominate the humor and subplots involving Dolittle's daughter nearly undoes te charm, but it's a passable entertainment. No animals were harmed during the making of this film, but there was probably cruel and unusual treatment of the interns involving pooper-scoopers. Murphy's well accompanied by Kristen Wilson, Raven-Symoné, Lil' Zane, James Avery, Andy Richter, Kevin Pollack, the always likeable Kyla Pratt who stars the sequels, among others. Traditional values and great movie for families, resulting to be an exciting movie from beginning to end, this is an amazing feel nice film and I was hoping to see more like it. Direction by Steve Carr (Movie 43, Iznogoud, Rebound, Paul Blart: Mall Cop , Are We Done Yet?, Next Friday) is ordinary, fitting to comedy film. Rating 5/10 . Average but amusing.

Other versions about Hugh Lofting's acclaimed tales were starred by Eddie Murphy, made in 1998, 2001 and 2006, such as : The first ¨Dr Dolittle¨ (1998) by Betty Thomas with Murphy, Ossie Davis, Oliver Platt, Peter Boyle, Richard Schiff, Kristen Wilson, Jeffrey Tambor, Raven-Symoné. ¨Dr Dolittle 2¨ by Steve Carr. ¨Dr Dolittle 3¨ with Kyla Pratt, Kristen Wilson, Walker Howard, John Amos. ¨Dr. Dolittle 4: Tail to the Chief¨ (2008) by Craig Shapiro with Kyla Pratt, Peter Coyote, Malcolm Stewart, Niall Matter. And recent ¨Dolittle¨ (2020) by Stephen Gaghan with Robert Downey, Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen , Jim Broadbent, Jessie Buckley, Emma Thompson , Rami Malek. And the 1967 classic ¨Doctor Dolittle¨ by Richard Fleischer with Rex Harrison, Anthony Newley, Samantha Eggar, Peter Bull , Muriel Landers, Portia Nelson, William Dix and Richard Attemborough. Wholeheartedly recommend for a great family movie. Fun enough and great adventure for kids and adults. Doctor Dolittle is one of the most joyous entertainment for the whole family.

If you like these kind of movies, then its funny. My wife loves these kinds of movie, and enjoyed this. Its amazing how well they can train bears, some of the stunts are incredible. The voice overs couldn't be done better. My opinion of the film is its cute, but not many surprises in this one. I laughed at this film, and comedy is the hardest thing to do, but I did not find this better the average comedy. Its funny, but not p**s your pants funny.