Doctor Dolittle (1998)
My advice is to start with the Eddie Murphy version of Doctor Dolittle. If you’ve missed all seven movie versions of the classic books, start with 1998. It’s very different than the 1967 classic, and if you start with that one, you don’t stand a chance at enjoying the modern version. This one takes place in 1998 San Francisco, rather than 1850s England, and it’s not a musical. Nor does Eddie Murphy travel the world in search of a rare pink seasnail. Instead of being a linguist who’s mastered over 400 animal languages, all the animals communicate with him in English.
But it’s very, very funny! The premise, though different than the original, is just as interesting. Eddie talked to his dog as a child, but learned to tamp down his talent when his father, Ossie Davis, shamed him. Decades later, with a wife and children of his own, he hears the voice of a dog who he almost crashed into on the road. He realizes his talent has resurfaced, and he struggles with accepting it. He can help animals, and because he’s a medical doctor, he can even heal them. Just imagine how wonderful it would be if veterinarians could actually talk to their patients.
A side plot involves the merger of Eddie’s medical practice, with business partners Oliver Platt and Richard Schiff, to a larger conglomerate. Also, because Eddie tries to hide his dialogues, when he does occasionally get overheard talking to monkeys or rats, people think he’s crazy! It’s a very funny take on the original story that can be accessible to modern audiences, and with one added bonus: voice cameos. Tons of celebrities voice the different animals, and with no opening credits, you’re left to guess who they are until the very end – it’s great fun!
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. When Eddie Murphy drives with the guinea pig in the beginning of the movie, it shows the animal’s POV for a few seconds. Also, when Lucky first gets taken into the vet’s office, his POV is shown for a few seconds, and it will make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
More Eddie Murphy movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 2001's Doctor Dolittle 2 here!
But it’s very, very funny! The premise, though different than the original, is just as interesting. Eddie talked to his dog as a child, but learned to tamp down his talent when his father, Ossie Davis, shamed him. Decades later, with a wife and children of his own, he hears the voice of a dog who he almost crashed into on the road. He realizes his talent has resurfaced, and he struggles with accepting it. He can help animals, and because he’s a medical doctor, he can even heal them. Just imagine how wonderful it would be if veterinarians could actually talk to their patients.
A side plot involves the merger of Eddie’s medical practice, with business partners Oliver Platt and Richard Schiff, to a larger conglomerate. Also, because Eddie tries to hide his dialogues, when he does occasionally get overheard talking to monkeys or rats, people think he’s crazy! It’s a very funny take on the original story that can be accessible to modern audiences, and with one added bonus: voice cameos. Tons of celebrities voice the different animals, and with no opening credits, you’re left to guess who they are until the very end – it’s great fun!
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. When Eddie Murphy drives with the guinea pig in the beginning of the movie, it shows the animal’s POV for a few seconds. Also, when Lucky first gets taken into the vet’s office, his POV is shown for a few seconds, and it will make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
More Eddie Murphy movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 2001's Doctor Dolittle 2 here!