- Film Review
- Reviewed By John Ferguson
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3 out of 5
Following the success of The Nutty Professor, Eddie Murphy completed his transformation from foul-mouthed, fast-talking comic to all-round family entertainer with this, the UK's second-highest grossing film in 1998 (after Titanic). Murphy plays a doctor whose life is turned upside down when his childhood gift - the ability to "talk with the animals" - returns. That's the cue for lots of juvenile gags from a host of guest voices (Garry Shandling, Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres), while the likes of Ossie Davis and Oliver Platt look on bemused. Betty Thomas directs proficiently, but Rex Harrison must be turning in his grave.
Plot Summary
Fantasy comedy update of the 1967 musical, starring Eddie Murphy as San Francisco doctor John Dolittle, whose life is turned upside down when a head injury reactivates a long-dormant ability to talk with animals.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Dr John Dolittle
- Eddie Murphy
- Archer Dolittle
- Ossie Davis
- Dr Mark Weller
- Oliver Platt
- Calloway
- Peter Boyle
- Dr Gene Reiss
- Richard Schiff
- Lisa
- Kristen Wilson
- Dr Fish
- Jeffrey Tambor
- Maya
- Kyla Pratt
- Tiger
- Albert Brooks
- Rodney
- Chris Rock
- Rat No 2
- John Leguizamo
- Female Pigeon
- Julie Kavner
- Male Pigeon
- Garry Shandling
- Prologue Dog
- Ellen DeGeneres
- Owl
- Jenna Elfman
- Racoon
- Paul Reubens
- Baby Tiger
- Jonathan Lipnicki
Crew
- Director
- Betty Thomas
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