Dolittle
Dolittle

Dolittle

2020Movie101 minEnglish

After losing his wife seven years earlier, the eccentric Dr. John Dolittle, famed doctor and veterinarian of Queen Victoria’s England, hermits himself away behind the high walls of Dolittle Manor with only his menagerie of exotic animals for company. But when the young queen falls gravely ill, a reluctant Dolittle is forced to set sail on an epic adventure to a mythical island in search of a cure, regaining his wit and courage as he crosses old adversaries and discovers wondrous creatures.

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Insights

IMDb5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes15%
Metacritic27/100
Google Users51%
Director: Stephen GaghanGenres: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Plot Summary

Dr. John Dolittle, a veterinarian who can speak to animals, lives in seclusion with his exotic pets after the death of his wife. When the young Queen of England falls gravely ill, Dolittle must set sail on an epic adventure to a mythical island to find a cure. He is joined by a curious young apprentice and a band of peculiar creatures. Their journey is fraught with peril and leads Dolittle to confront his past and rediscover his sense of wonder.

Critical Reception

Dolittle was widely panned by critics and audiences alike, who found its script, humor, and overall execution to be lacking. Despite its star-studded cast and ambitious premise, the film failed to resonate with viewers and was considered a significant disappointment.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film suffers from a muddled plot and inconsistent tone, failing to engage either children or adults.
  • Robert Downey Jr.'s performance, while energetic, couldn't salvage the weak script and uninspired direction.
  • The visual effects and animal designs were a mixed bag, with some impressive moments overshadowed by a general lack of polish.

Google audience: Audience reviews often point to a lack of humor and a convoluted storyline as major drawbacks. While some appreciated the visual aspect and the attempts at a classic adventure feel, many found the movie to be forgettable and uninspired, with a significant portion of viewers feeling it didn't live up to the potential of its premise or cast.

Fun Fact

Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, Susan Downey, developed a unique vocalization for the titular character, aiming for a slightly gruff, almost unplaceable accent that would set him apart from previous interpretations.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
r96sk

r96sk

So pointless, so bad. The one solace of praise I have for <em>'Dolittle'</em> is that it at least mixes things up compared to the Eddie Murphy remake, as well as potentially the 1967 original - though I haven't seen that, but this sounds...
Kamurai

Kamurai

A weird watch, probably won't watch again, and can't recommend. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be closer to the books, or if Disney was just fed up with having wonderful magic in their products, but having Dolittle act out animal be...
Manuel São Bento

Manuel São Bento

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com We have all watched the Dolittle movies starring Eddie Murphy. I'm not going to lie, I was never a fan of these films. Yes, they're purpose...