Director Stephen Gaghan
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Antonio Banderas & Michael Sheen
Rated PG
Score 4.5/6

After his wife’s death, Dr. Dolittle decided to hide from the world with his beloved animals. But he has to take a journey to a mysterious island to find a healing tree, which is the only medicine that can help to the dying Queen in Buckingham Palace.

For those of you who might have been wondering this adaption of Dr. Dolittle serves as a reboot for the original 1967 film starring Rex Harrison and directed by Richard Fleischer and the 1998 remake and sequel starring Eddie Murphy and its three spin-off movies. I should also be noted that Dolittle was inspired by The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle which was the second of Hugh Lofting’s Doctor Dolittle books and was published in 1922.

I just might have to take a look at the Rex Harrison original later in the year. I haven’t exactly decided when.

The decision to watch Dolittle was one of those spur of the moment decisions because part of me would have been prepared to wait for Dolittle’s DVD or digital release because this is the kind of movie that should have some interesting special features. From what I have heard about Dolittle is that it hasn’t been very well received at the box office. I enjoyed this one and found myself smiling numerous times because there is a lot to love about this movie, I loved the relationships between all the animals, I particularly enjoyed the friendship between Besty and Tutu the giraffe and fox. I also enjoyed the whales who have a line that puts a different spin on the idea of going on a whale watching tour.
Younger movie goers might find the final act a little but there are also several jokes that they will love. So, I suppose it balances out.
It was good that with his performance Robert Downey Jr didn’t fall into the trap that so many other American actors have fallen into giving us decent enough Welsh accent. Jessie Buckley had a great presence as Queen Victoria, I was little surprised to Antonio Banderas cast in this, Michael Sheen was brilliant as Dr. Blair Müdfly and Emma Thompson as Polynesia the macaw probably has one of the best lines of the entire movie.