Dr. John Dolittle lives in solitude behind the high walls of his lush manor in 19th-century England. His only companionship comes from an array of exotic animals that he speaks to on a daily basis. But when young Queen Victoria becomes gravely ill, the eccentric doctor and his furry friends embark on an epic adventure to a mythical island to find the cure.
Much like the classic Eddie Murphy film “Dr. Dolittle,” “Dolittle” (2020) is an interesting if underwhelming take on an old tale. It sets itself apart from the earlier films in a big way. Taking place in 19th century England, the famed Dr. Dolittle and his team of animals embark on an adventure across the world. With several big Hollywood stars, this film starts with the potential to stand out from the rest. While it is average in its traditional comedy and plot, it manages to stand out in some ways, not all of which are great.
The story starts off with a little historical background and sets the stage for a Dr. Dolittle who chases adventure. It introduces themes of animal rights and activism, as well as a deep love for animals shared by his wife. One day she is lost at sea, causing the doctor to become a recluse, consorting only with his animals. All of this is a big departure from the lighthearted, feel-good comedy of the Eddie Murphy films. But this isn’t necessarily bad, as it is possible to explore deeper themes without losing the overall positive feel. However, the film largely fails to find purchase in any of these directions.
The deep themes of loss, trust, responsibility, and acceptance, while noble, have a hard time sticking in an entertaining kids movie, and end up depriving the others of the screen time needed. While it is not uncommon for films, especially those targeted at a younger audience, to lightly touch on a couple of complex emotions, the issue is this film tries hard to push as many as it can. It’s fine if these ideas go over the majority of the audience’s head, but about a fifth of the film is spent on exposing these deeper issues, splitting the attention.
And none of this to mention the strange barriers to being immersed in the film, despite the sub-par quips of computer-generated animals. For one thing, it takes a while to get past the unusual, off-putting accent Robert Downey Jr. is required to play for the assumed Welsh doctor. But once you manage to deal with that, you are once again distracted from the plot by scenes and dialogue that leave you wondering if it was intended to be funny or just take up runtime. For example, there is about a minute long gag where Dolittle asks for a surgical tool and a duck continues to offer him a leek. Even if the initial joke was worthy of more than a chuckle, it is dragged out for far too long.
However, that’s not to say the film doesn’t have its fair share of entertainment. There are plenty of over-the-top action scenes, including riding a giraffe’s neck, harnessing whales, fighting in a tiger pit, and more. The technology responsible for bringing the animals to life makes them seem a lot more present and believable, but unfortunately, it doesn’t make some of their lines less annoying or unnecessary. Still, if nothing else, the fascinating settings and amazing effects make for something you and the rest of the family can marvel at.
Overall, the film fails to stand out in a very meaningful way but manages to deliver in a very standard and underwhelming way. The interesting premise is the primary aspect that separates this film from the sea of mediocre PG films of its kind. While for many it may not stack up to the nostalgia of the 1998 “Dr. Dolittle,” this film still manages to fit some slapstick comedy in where it can. With better direction, this star-studded cast and intriguing fantasy could have made this film something special. But, if you go in expecting less than the premise leads you to believe, it isn’t too bad.
In Theaters Friday, January 17th
