Dolittle

While there are many franchise films out in the film world, some are better than others--some franchises shouldn't have been franchises, but then others seem to improve with time. When "Doctor Dolittle" was released in 1967 with Rex Harrison and "Doctor Dolittle" in 1998 with Eddie Murphy was also released, who would have thought that yet another film could've ever been resurrected. So now we have "Dolittle" with Robert Downey Jr. to sit back and escape into.

After losing his wife seven years earlier, the eccentric Dr. John Dolittle (Robert Downey Jr.), famed doctor and veterinarian of Queen Victoria's England, hermits himself away behind the high walls of Dolittle Manor with only his menagerie of exotic animals for company. But when the young queen (Jessie Buckley) falls gravely ill, a reluctant Dolittle is forced to set sail on an epic adventure to a mythical island in search of a cure, regaining his wit and courage as he crosses old adversaries, namely Dr. Blair Mudfly (Michael Sheen) and King Rassouli Antonio Banderas), and discovers wondrous creatures. The doctor is joined on his quest by a young, self-appointed apprentice, Tommy Stubbins (Harry Collett) and a raucous coterie of animal friends, including an anxious gorilla, Chee-Chee (Rami Malek), an enthusiastic but bird-brained duck, Dab-Dab (Octavia Spencer), a bickering duo of a cynical ostrich, Plimpton (Kumail Janjiani), and an upbeat polar bear, Yosti (John Cena), and a headstrong parrot, Polly (Emma Thompson), who serves as Dolittle's most trusted advisor and confidante. 

Others to round out the cast are Jim Broadbent as Lord Thomas Badgley, Tom Holland as Jip, Craig Robinson as Kevin, Ralph Fiennes as Barry, Selena Gomez as Betsy and Carmel Laniado as Lady Rose. 

This was whimsically directed by Stephen Gaghan ("Abandon" '02, "Syriana" '05, "Metro" (TV movie) '11, "White City" (TV movie) '15, "Gold" '16). Even though the production stars a captivating star as Downey is, and the visual effects also are a wow factor, the emotions the actors needed to emit was absolutely the mark of talented directing. If you want to see fine directing, rent or stream "Syriana" with George Clooney. It is incredibly gritty and intense. "Dolittle" is effectively written by Gaghan, Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, based on a screen story by Thomas Shepherd, which is based on characters created by Hugh Lofting. This version of the beloved story is a great film for the whole family fraught with a charismatic lead, cool animals with quite the individual personalities and even a young queen and apprentice which will woo the youngsters into the multiplex. It was an exciting, adventurous epic tale that has a tight script, and is slickly done. If there were any flaws in it, it would be that Downey's English dialect was a bit difficult to understand at times. Another week or two with his dialect coach would've helped. Plus, the logistics of when the animals spoke and when they made their animal noises so as to show us that he could understand them went a bit back and forth too much, otherwise the script was enjoyable and entertaining. And the visual effects predominantly created by MPC (Moving Picture Company) were seamless as they were effective to the story. Between all the writer's experience (films, shorts and TV), there was a plethora of past work of these filmmakers to create a winning screenplay. 

Assuming you're a Dolittle fan, this will please these moviegoers, however even if not, the presence of Downey in the title role will undoubtedly please all who view this. Kids and adults alike will gravitate to this film and with little to no problems with it. This is a great way to escape into another world even if it is for only an hour and three quarters. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3                                          Rated: PG                                            107mins.