Movie Guys: Dr. Dolittle tries to satisfy kids and adults

Friday, June 26, 1998 | 9:58 a.m.

* Grades: Jeff B; Dave C.

* Starring: Eddie Murphy, Oliver Platt, Ossie Davis and Kristin Wilson.

* Director: Betty Thomas.

* Screenplay: Nat Mauldin and Larry Levin.

* Rated: PG-13 for mild profanity and adult situations.

* Running time: 85 minutes.

* Playing at: Las Vegas Drive-In, Century Orleans 12, Century Desert, Cinedome 12 Henderson, ACT III Sunset Station, ACT III Village Square, ACT III Texas Station, UA Rainbow Promenade, UA Showcase mall.

* Synopsis: A talented physician, Dr. John Dolittle (Eddie Murphy) has long suppressed a very special talent he possessed as a child: the ability to communicate with animals. But now, as an adult, more everyday concerns occupy his time. All of that changes when Dr. Dolittle's long dormant talents are re-awakened ... with a vengeance. Suddenly, every member of the animal kingdom is seeking his medical advice. In turn, his new four-legged, furry patients teach him a few things about being human.

Jeff: I have to be honest: It's hard not be judgmental about a film once I've seen the coming attraction reel. When I first saw the trailer for "Dr. Dolittle," it looked like another bad career choice for Eddie Murphy. Who could forget his cop bomb "Metro" (I did) and no, I didn't like "The Nutty Professor" remake, either. I'm a fan of the original "Doctor Dolittle," so this new version had a major battle ahead of itself to win my approval.

The contemporary remake has no cute songs, no bizarre animals such as the "Giant Lunar Moth" or the "Giant Pink Sea Snail" (which carries a movable island on its back), and the good doctor is now married with children -- very different from the original in many respects. Like I said before, I was afraid this remake was going to be another "Look Who's Talking" with animals. I was prepared for a dud, but what I got was a delightful surprise and a belly full of laughs.

Dave: Thank God that it was missing all the "cute songs," "bizarre animals" and "giant sea snails" that nearly put an end to Twentieth Century Fox. The studio suffered a $15 million loss with the release of the 1967 original, almost putting the final nail in the studio's coffin. This time out, Fox has scrapped all the musical ditties and added funnyman Murphy as the title character, who leads a cast of comical talents that voice the various animals.

Hot on a roll of movie hits (like Jeff, I also forgot "Metro"), Murphy plays the ultimate straight man to an impressive Who's Who list of comedians. They say kids and animals are the worst to work with, as they steal every scene. So it is interesting to watch Murphy, who is usually the focus of comical attention, to play second fiddle to a host of animals.

Jeff:

Great, Dave, let's not keep faithful to the renowned series of "Doctor Dolittle" books, which includes bizarre animals and the good doctor who could speak 498 different animal languages. Despite that, the producers omitted the fantasy element of the original film. The laughs work for one reason only -- the animals voices are provided by some very funny comedians. If it wasn't for Norm MacDonald (speaking as a stray dog named Lucky) providing his dry wit and humor, giving life to this junkyard dog, or Garry Shandling as a married pigeon with a roving eye for orange-breasted birds, it wouldn't have been as appealing.

The parents will enjoy the stars' cameos as they voice the numerous animals that come to Dolittle for help and counseling. To kids, it's just another run-of-the-mill tiger telling Dr. Dolittle where it hurts. To us grown-ups, however, it's Albert Brooks speaking as a sick Bengal tiger, which gives us a chuckle all by itself. This movie rewards both adults and kids alike -- it's like two different movies taking place at the same time.

Dave: You pinned the tail on the donkey, Jeff. That is the problem I had with the film: At one moment, the comedy seems to be geared towards children, what with the talking animals in "Babe" fashion and the cheap flatulence humor. All of a sudden, Dolittle's dog, Lucky, makes a lewd comment about a sexual position. Or Murphy says how he is going to get naked in the bed as he waits for Mrs. Dolittle. That is hardly children's humor. Granted, the PG-13 rating should tip you off that it is not for the entire family, but then, why are those elements present to begin with? Like you said, Jeff, the film is trying to be two different movies at the same time.

Jeff:

Have you ever heard the phrase "the best of both worlds," Dave? Would it be an Eddie Murphy movie without the standard flatulence jokes? That gets really tiresome. Kids love it, though. Is it the funniest comedy of the year? No, not even close. But it is a fun way for kids and parents alike to beat the summer heat. I did enjoy the family aspect of the story. Dolittle must come to terms with his busy schedule at the office and somehow make time for his ever-growing distant family. There were some very tender moments, and Murphy has really evolved as an actor, proving his talent for the teary-eyed dramatic scenes, as well as a laugh getter.

Dave: Very true, Jeff. Director Betty Thomas has tamed the likes of the self-proclaimed "King of All Media," Howard Stern, in last year's "Private Parts," so it is no surprise that she tapped into Murphy's dramatic side. The direction is simple: point the camera and shoot. But the story comes to life through character development, which Thomas has no problem delivering. With the success of "Mulan" and a surefire hit with "Dr. Dolittle," Murphy may want to think twice about his next project, the sequel to "The Nutty Professor."

Jeff: Overall, the doctor delivers. In the end, I was still disappointed in not having seen "Pushmepullyou." After all, it's not every day you get to see a llama with a head on both ends.

Movie Buzz

Leonardo, the Boy Wonder?:

You have to wonder what the folks at People Magazine Online are thinking. The magazine reported a rumor that "Batman" producer Tim Burton wants Leonardo DiCaprio to play Robin in the next "Batman" film. Huh? People also says that the film's story may have the Boy Wonder killed by the Scarecrow (played, they say, by Ewan McGregor). So, who's going to wear the Dark Knight's cape and cowl? Not George Clooney or Kurt Russell. We've heard this one before, from several sources. We'll believe it when we see it. "Batman & Robin" made all of its stars look foolish, so who in their right mind would sign up for that kind of ridicule?

"Titanic" loss:

James Cameron's mega-movie "Titanic" made a huge impact on the box-office -- and also made quite a mess of hundreds of Hollywood's vintage wardrobes. Kate Winslet alone reportedly went through 28 dresses in a single water-logged scene. Now, there's a shortage of period clothing for other Hollywood productions. Replacements are being made at a breakneck pace to keep up with the renewed demand for those old-time threads at a cost of up to $20,000 per outfit, according to the Associated Press.

"RKO" is A-OK:

"Blade Runner" director Ridley Scott's "RKO 281," a docu-drama about the making of "Citizen Kane," may be headed to HBO instead the big screen, after major film studios balked at its $40 million budget. Because HBO Pictures' budgets are generally in the $10 million range, it seems that Scott won't direct the movie, and the cast is unlikely to include Madonna, Marlon Brando, Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep -- all names that were discussed when the project was headed for theaters. The project is based on a PBS documentary that focused on the hostility to "Citizen Kane" from the man on whom the film was based, newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst.

Name That Flick

"You're a woman who's been getting nothing but dirty breaks. Well, we can clean and tighten your brakes, but you'll have to stay in the garage all night." Our callers for this week were, to put it nicely, stabbing in the dark. Their wild guesses ranged from Tim Robbins in "I.Q.," to Fred MacMurray in "Double Indemnity." All wrong! The correct guess came from outside Las Vegas, from the State College of Pennsylvania, where Carl Schaad guessed the quote spoken by Groucho Marx in the comedy classic "Monkey Business." Congratulations to you, Carl. We didn't know we had fans in the "You've Got a Friend" state.

Now, for this week -- Who said this and in what film: "This is the cleanest and nicest police car I've ever been in, in my life. This thing's nicer than my apartment."? Does it sound familiar? If you think you know, call The Movie Guys Hotline at 225-9026 or e-mail us at movieguys5@aol.com (never tested on animals). Be sure to spell your name and leave your daytime phone number, and if you're the first correct caller/e-mailer, we will print your name right here in our column for the entire Las Vegas Valley to read.

See you next week.

THE MOVIE GUYS, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears every Friday in the Sun (additional material provided by Thomas Feeney). You can also read their capsule reviews of movies in Scope magazine and watch their reviews every Friday on Channel 3's 11 p.m. newscast. Plus, check them out online at: lasvegassun.com/sun/sunlife/movies.

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