Dolittle (2020)

Directed by Stephen Gaghan. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Harry Collett, Michael Sheen, Antonio Banderas, Carmel Laniado, Jim Broadbent, Jessie Buckley, (voices) Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, Kumail Nanjiani, Craig Robinson, John Cena, Octavia Spencer, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Mantzoukas, Frances de la Tour, Tom Holland, Will Arnett. [PG]

Low on the list of films the world needs: another movie about Dr. Dolittle, that guy who can walk with the animals, talk with the animals, grunt and squeak and squawk with the animals. This underwritten, overproduced story envisions him as a dour depressive after his wife died several years prior, brought out of his malaise only so he can protect his animal sanctuary from ruin by traveling to a mythical isle to find a cure to save the poisoned Queen Victoria (Buckley). Disorganized, crassly-crafted, and low-energy family film tries to coast on the tedious spirit of its animals-who-talk-with-celebrity-voices schtick (d’ya think a French fox voiced by Marion Cotillard will cry out “Viva la Resistance!” for no reason at some point?), while Downey stumbles and mumbles with an indistinct accent throughout, presumably in an attempt to stifle yawns and signal to his fans that the paycheck was simply too juicy to turn down. If seeing and hearing a CGI dragon let loose with a massive fart isn’t on the ol’ bucket list, you’re better off arguing Nietzche philosophy with cuddly critters until the manager kicks you out of the pet store.

25/100