DR DOLITTLE 2
US, 2001, 85 minutes, Colour.
Eddie Murphy, Kristin Wilson, Raven Simone, Jeffrey Jones, Kevin Pollak, Lil Zane; voices of: Steve Zahn, Lisa Kudrow, Jacob Vargas, Michael Rappaport, Isaac Hayes, Andy Dick, Joey Lauren Adams, David Cross, Georgette Engel, Mike Epps, Jamie Kennedy, Clyde Kusatsu, Cedric the Entertainer, Michael Mc Kean, Mandy Moore, Frankie Muniz, Bob Odenkirk, Rene Santoni, Richard C.Serafian, Renee Taylor, John Witherspoon.
Directed by Steve Carr.
After lovers of the very British stories by Hugh Lofting about the vet who could talk to the animals got over their culture-shock of having their hero and his actions transplanted to modern America - Rex Harrison as a singing Doctor Dolittle in the 1960s was almost too much but, at least, he was British - they now have to contend with a sequel to the Eddie Murphy comedy of 1998. Of course, some staunch supporters will never get over it, so that means they will miss a sequel which is more enjoyable than the first film. That one established that Doctor Dolittle could talk to the animals. Now that everyone knows that, the animals can start making more appointments and his family will understand.
This time a mafioso-type badger gets his henchman to see whether the doctor can find a bear who will mate in the forest and so continue an endangered species and save the forest from unscrupulous loggers. The main trouble is that Archie is a circus bear, a real 'townie' who finds the wilds less than comfortable. But, unlike the Kyoto agreement on the environment, everybody finally agrees that saving the forests and promoting animal species is a good thing. (Members of the G8 should see the film - after all millions around the world - especially children - see films like this and want to be environmentally friendly.) Eddie Murphy has now really become Doctor Dolittle. The animals are wonderful as are the voices, especially of Steve Zahn, who makes Archie even more credible.
1. The popularity of the original film? Popularity of the sequel? An entertainment, talking to the animals, the environmental message?
2. The updating of Dr Dolittle to the United States? An African-American? story? Eddie Murphy as Dr Dolittle?
3. The city, homes, the forests, the valleys? The musical score?
4. Dr Dolittle his work, the range of animals, the interviews, consultations? Badges and appointments – and the Mafia overtones? His family taking this for granted? His long-suffering wife, younger daughter and her enthusiasm, the older daughter, 16, cell phone, dancing, boyfriend? Her father severe reactions? The bribe to go overseas? Recognising
Eric, welcoming him to the birthday meal?
5. The badger, the summons, the interview with Dr Dolittle, the logging, the destruction of the forest? Persuading Dr Dolittle to do something? His wife, her presence in the court, the appeal? The enemy – Joe Potter, his ambitions, destruction of the forest? Riley as his lawyer?
6. The plan, Archie the Bear, his circus background, city fired? Not at home in the forest? Ava, the possibility of meeting? Propagating a preserved species? Ava and her reactions, resistance, interest? Archie and his awkwardness?
7. The comic sequences of Dr Dolittle trying to train Archie, the experiments, the failures?
8. Riley spying, confrontations with Potter and Riley, the animals, the possible contracts, rejecting them?
9. The animals combining, the strike everywhere in the world, pets, horse races…? Demonstrations?
10. Success, the preservation of the forest? Dr Dolittle his family, his daughter and her sharing in the campaign, recognising love, her love for Eric?
11. Dr Dolittle for the 21st-century?
