Jeri Jacquin
Coming to theatres this Friday from writer/director
Stephen Gaghan and Universal Pictures is the story of animals who live with
none other than DOLITTLE.
Dr. John Dolittle (Robert Downey, Jr.) began as a doctor
who has the unique ability to speak with animals. Known far and wide, even the
Queen called upon him to help with her animals. In gratitude Dolittle is given
an estate to continue his work with animals and given them shelter.
When tragedy strikes the good doctor, he closes the
gates to everyone and becomes secluded from the world. That is until meeting
the young Tommy (Harry Collett) who discovers a squirrel that needs a doctor!
It is the flying parrot Polly (voiced by Emma Thompson) who leads the lad to
Dolittle's door.
At the same time, the young Lady Rose (Carmel Laniado)
is sent to Dolittle on behest of Queen Victoria (Jessie Buckley) to come to the
palace and help the monarch. Quickly is snapped back to his self by all the
animals who know that he needs to do what's right. Visiting the Queen he is met
by Lord Thomas Badgley (Jim Broadbent) and the nefarious Dr. Blair Mudfly.
It seems a plot is in the works against the Queen and
only Dolittle knows how to stop it. The mysterious illness that has taken the
Queen has a cure and Dolittle knows where it can be found.
Taking along Tommy, their journey begins with a ship
full of animals and a mission - to save the Queen.
Downey, Jr. as Dolittle is perfect casting with his
unique ability to be quirky and humorous in his own way. It could also be that
I'm happy to see him on the big screen again taking on a role that is lighthearted
and warm in character. Downey, Jr. has a flair to entertain an audience, so
much so that I can easy overlook the mushiness of his accent.
Collett as Tommy is a young man unlike the rest of his
hunting family. He sees the grace in loving animals and once meeting Dolittle,
knows his path in life. The adventure is just a bonus! Collett is charming and
fun to watch alongside Downey, Jr. and that makes for wonderful storytelling.
Sheen as Mudfly has become good at being bad. This
time he is able to add a little slap stick comedy to his role but never go
against Downey, Jr.! Broadbent as Badgley is supposed to be taking care of the
Queen but is he?
Laniado as Lady Rose is sweet, elegant and wants to
protect her Queen. A strong young woman who isn't afraid of much and that
serves her well against both man and animal. The spark between herself and
Tommy is very sweet as well.
The animal cast include: Rami Malek as Chee-Chee, John
Cena as Yoshi, Kumail Nanjiani as Plimpton, Octavia Spencer as Dab-Dab, Tom
Holland as Jip, Craig Robinson as Kevin, Ralph Fiennes as Barry, Selena Gomez
as Betsy, Marion Cotillard as Tutu, Frances de la Tour as the Dragon and Jason
Mantzoukas as James the Dragonfly.
Other cast include Kasia Smutniak as Lily Dolittle,
Oliver Chris as Sir Gareth, Clive Francis, and Antonio Banderas as King
Rassouli.
DOLITTLE is a charming fun adventure for the entire
family. This is an introduction to Dolittle like we have not seen before and it
does leave the door open in case Downey, Jr. wants to return. The audience was
taken with the bounty of talking animals and all their own personalities and it
did bring lots of laughs with side jokes.
The human cast is fun and ready to take on the journey
which is unexpected and full of twists and turns. DOLITTLE is the reason
families come to the movies together on a Saturday and escape into a magical
world for a time and still talk about it after.
So, gather the entire family (grandparents, aunts,
uncles, cousins - everybody!) and enjoy time together with the animals.
In the end - he's not just a people person!
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