DR. DOLITTLE

DR. DOLITTLE gives Eddie Murphy a natural showcase. His expressive face can be very funny, and younger children will likely enjoy watching the animals and their antics. The story also mildly rebukes greed and values family togetherness.

But the comedy is uneven. Too much depends on conversations between Murphy and talking animals, while the animals' comedian-style dialogue becomes a series of disconnected bits rather than a cohesive comic story. The movie also includes abundant crude scatological references and mild scatological obscenities, especially during the first half.

For an Eddie Murphy film, DR. DOLITTLE is mild. For a children's movie, it is still too much. Watch it at home, where parents can decide whether the humor suits their family.

John Dolittle is a doctor preparing to accept a lucrative deal with a major HMO. A strange incident from childhood left him fearful of his daughter's pet hamster, but one day he begins hearing animals speak.

As more animals seek his help, John must face the gift he had stopped using. His family, medical practice, and understanding of himself are all put under pressure.

Two stars means DR. DOLITTLE has an appealing central performer and moments of comic potential, but the filmmaking never brings those strengths together. Murphy's expressive reactions are often funny, yet the animal characters cannot match the complexity of a human face, leaving their relationships with him superficial.

The talking animals are voiced by comedians and given exaggerated personalities. Their exchanges produce isolated comic bits, but those bits do not build toward a cohesive or hilarious climax. The result is a fine vehicle for Murphy's talents that remains uneven overall.

DR. DOLITTLE presents a mildly moral worldview. It rebukes greed and ultimately values family togetherness, while portraying a man's unusual gift as something his family must learn to accept. The film also includes mild romanticist and environmental elements.

The movie's moral center is not especially deep, but it does affirm that a person's distinctive abilities should not simply be denied. John initially tries to protect his family and career by repressing his gift, while the story pushes him toward accepting it. The film also mocks a reverend and his belief in exorcism.

The story's emphasis on receiving and using a unique gift can remind viewers that God gives people different abilities for a purpose: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10).

DR. DOLITTLE has an appealing Eddie Murphy performance, amusing animals, and a mildly moral heart. But its comedy remains disconnected, and its crude humor is too much for a children's movie. WAIT FOR HOME, where you can decide whether it suits your family. For cleaner options, see.