1998 / 85m - USA
Comedy, Fantasy
1.0*/5.0*
Doctor Dolittle poster

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May 18, 2021

1.0*/5.0*

The start of Eddie Murphy's Dolittle franchise. It's a far cry from Murphy's stand-up routines that made him famous, then again there was always more money in children's entertainment. I'm clearly not the intended audience for this film, on the other hand it's one of the most financially successful films out there, so I figured I could just give it a go.

Dolittle was able to talk to animals as a kid, his father wouldn't have any of it though and ordered Dolittle to stop with the nonsense. As an adult he forgot all about his childhood, until he nearly runs over a dog with his car. He hears the dog call out to him and from moment on he retrieves his old skill.

The CG is pretty basic, the animal dubs are simply terrible. The jokes aren't very funny, Murphy is annoying, and the plot is truly pedestrian. I know Downey Jr's update got a lot of flack last year, but it's miles ahead of this disaster. Unless you have some small kids at home, I wouldn't give this film any priority.