Dolittle (2020)
6.8 /10
1765 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
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.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Dr. John Dolittle
... King Rassouli
... Dr. Blair Müdfly
... Lord Thomas Badgley
... Queen Victoria
User reviews
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 purposefully dumb, innocent, and feature that basic level of comedy. They never annoyed me, but they also never did anything remarkably surprising. 2020's version of the known tale is the first post-MCU role of Robert Downey Jr., it boasts an A-list cast, and… it's one of the worst movies of the year, without a single doubt. A complete disaster in every area of filmmaking.
I don't even know where to start. Maybe with RDJ since he's the most significant negative surprise. I can't believe such a charismatic and now iconic actor like him could deliver a performance this awful. His Welsh (?) accent is not only a terrible choice character-wise, but I doubt that any children can understand what he's saying. RDJ acts like a baffling caricature of himself, not helping an already flawed film. The voice work from the remaining cast might be the only positive of the whole movie, but the CGI animals are way too unconvincing.
However, as always, the most impactful issues belong to the actual story. Instead of being an entertaining and fun adventure, it's an incredibly boring, nonsensical, structure-less journey into one of the most ridiculous third acts of cinema. Even placing myself in a child's mind, I don't think I would be able to enjoy this mess of a screenplay. Like I wrote above, not even the animals look great…
Certain characters possess these unknown relationships that the audience is supposed to care about, but no background is given to any of them. Tons of plot points lack a logical explanation. The entire narrative is void of any creativity or uniqueness whatsoever, looking simply like a lazy, unimaginative piece of work. The "young queen who falls gravely ill" is just a woman sleeping in bed, not looking ill at all, which proves that not even the makeup department was interested in making an effort.
But all of the issues above are nothing compared to the film's climax. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just write that I still can't believe what I witnessed. Around ninety minutes of build-up lead to the most shocking, hilarious, utterly absurd moment. The humor is a level below childish. Dozens of fart jokes (including one during the climax), over-the-top reactions, and I don't even know what else. Between Bloodshot, Fantasy Island, and The Grudge… Let the devil come and choose!
All in all, Dolittle is a massive fail at all levels. It was meant to be one of the worst movies of the year, and it undoubtedly accomplished this goal. From the surprisingly awful performance from Robert Downey Jr. to one of the most shockingly terrible climaxes in the history of cinema, Stephen Gaghan delivers a structure-less screenplay, filled with nonsensical narrative decisions, and featuring an extremely dull adventure. The CGI animals are far from being remotely impressive, the characters lack personality (bringing an A-list actor doesn't guarantee anything), and the comedy is so astonishingly basic that I doubt kids will laugh at some of the jokes, and they laugh at everything. With a budget of 175M (!!!), it's not understandable how and why a studio would waste this much money on such an obvious flop. The voice work from the cast is good… and it genuinely could have been worse. This is the closest I can get to a positive.
Rating: D-
Director:
Writer:
Stephen Gaghan (Screenplay)
Chris McKay (Screenplay)
Hugh Lofting (Characters)
David Allcock (Storyboard)
Thomas Shepherd (Screenplay)
Release Date:
2020-01-01
Run Time:
101 min
MMPA Rating:
PG
Reviews of
Dolittle
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 purposefully dumb, innocent, and feature that basic level of comedy. They never annoyed me, but they also never did anything remarkably surprising. 2020's version of the known tale is the first post-MCU role of Robert Downey Jr., it boasts an A-list cast, and… it's one of the worst movies of the year, without a single doubt. A complete disaster in every area of filmmaking.
I don't even know where to start. Maybe with RDJ since he's the most significant negative surprise. I can't believe such a charismatic and now iconic actor like him could deliver a performance this awful. His Welsh (?) accent is not only a terrible choice character-wise, but I doubt that any children can understand what he's saying. RDJ acts like a baffling caricature of himself, not helping an already flawed film. The voice work from the remaining cast might be the only positive of the whole movie, but the CGI animals are way too unconvincing.
However, as always, the most impactful issues belong to the actual story. Instead of being an entertaining and fun adventure, it's an incredibly boring, nonsensical, structure-less journey into one of the most ridiculous third acts of cinema. Even placing myself in a child's mind, I don't think I would be able to enjoy this mess of a screenplay. Like I wrote above, not even the animals look great…
Certain characters possess these unknown relationships that the audience is supposed to care about, but no background is given to any of them. Tons of plot points lack a logical explanation. The entire narrative is void of any creativity or uniqueness whatsoever, looking simply like a lazy, unimaginative piece of work. The "young queen who falls gravely ill" is just a woman sleeping in bed, not looking ill at all, which proves that not even the makeup department was interested in making an effort.
But all of the issues above are nothing compared to the film's climax. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just write that I still can't believe what I witnessed. Around ninety minutes of build-up lead to the most shocking, hilarious, utterly absurd moment. The humor is a level below childish. Dozens of fart jokes (including one during the climax), over-the-top reactions, and I don't even know what else. Between Bloodshot, Fantasy Island, and The Grudge… Let the devil come and choose!
All in all, Dolittle is a massive fail at all levels. It was meant to be one of the worst movies of the year, and it undoubtedly accomplished this goal. From the surprisingly awful performance from Robert Downey Jr. to one of the most shockingly terrible climaxes in the history of cinema, Stephen Gaghan delivers a structure-less screenplay, filled with nonsensical narrative decisions, and featuring an extremely dull adventure. The CGI animals are far from being remotely impressive, the characters lack personality (bringing an A-list actor doesn't guarantee anything), and the comedy is so astonishingly basic that I doubt kids will laugh at some of the jokes, and they laugh at everything. With a budget of 175M (!!!), it's not understandable how and why a studio would waste this much money on such an obvious flop. The voice work from the cast is good… and it genuinely could have been worse. This is the closest I can get to a positive.
Rating: D-
Cast & Crew of
Dolittle
Cast
... Dr. John Dolittle
... King Rassouli
... Dr. Blair Müdfly
... Lord Thomas Badgley
... Queen Victoria
... Tommy Stubbins
... Poly (voice)
... Chee-Chee (voice)
... Yoshi (voice)
... Plimpton (voice)
... Dab-Dab (voice)
... Jip (voice)
... Kevin (voice)
... Barry (voice)
... Betsy (voice)
... Tutu (voice)
... Lily Dolittle
... Lady Rose
... Dragon (voice)
... James the Dragonfly (voice)
... Arnall Stubbins
... Bethan Stubbins
... Arnall Stubbins Jr.
... Sir Gareth
... Archbishop
... Navy Man
... Captain William Derrick
... Lieutenant
... Don Carpenterino
... Jeff the Prisoner
... Postman
... Humphrey the Whale (voice)
... Beard Mouse and Leona (voice)
... Mini the Sugar Glider (voice)
... Clyde
... Mouse (voice)
... Mouse (voice)
... Army Ant (voice)
... Baby Animal (voice)
... Baby Animal (voice)
... Baby Animal (voice)
... Baby Animal (voice)
... Pirate
... Pirate
... Pirate / Animal Performer
... Prisoner
... Prisoner
... Animal Performer
... On Set Chee-Chee / Animal Performer
... On Set Yoshi / Animal Performer
... Animal Performer
Crew
... Associate Producer
... Music
... Director of Photography
... Screenplay
... Director
... Script
... Editor
... Editor
... First Assistant Director
... Art Direction
... Crowd Assistant Director
... Costume Design
... Producer
... Casting
... Production Design
... Producer
... Producer
... First Assistant Camera
... Supervising Art Director
... Sound Mixer
... Executive Producer
... Second Unit Director
... Screenplay
... Art Direction
... Art Direction
... Still Photographer
... Art Direction
... Art Direction
... Hairstylist
... Characters
... Character Designer
... Casting Associate
... Production Supervisor
... Hair Setup
... Production Manager
... Unit Production Manager
... Lighting Technician
... Special Effects Makeup Artist
... Conceptual Design
... Second Assistant Director
... Storyboard
... Location Manager
... Visual Effects Producer
... Script Supervisor
... Concept Artist
... Stunts
... Art Direction
... Second Assistant Director
... Third Assistant Director
... Draughtsman
... Special Effects
... Art Department Assistant
... Second Unit Director of Photography
... Transportation Captain
... Assistant Set Dresser
... Screenplay
... Makeup & Hair
... Post Production Supervisor
... Unit Manager
... Third Assistant Director
... Third Assistant Director
Videos & Photos of
Dolittle
Videos (2)
Photos 20
Similar Movies To
Dolittle
Shipwrecked (1990)
6.5/10
A young Norwegian boy in 1850s England goes to work as a cabin boy and discovers some of his shipmates are actually pirates.
Release: 1990-10-03
The Golden Compass (2007)
6/10
After overhearing a shocking secret, precocious orphan Lyra Belacqua trades her carefree existence roaming the halls of Jordan College for an otherworldly adventure in the far North, unaware that it's part of her destiny.
Release: 2007-12-04
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
7.1/10
Siblings Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter step through a magical wardrobe and find the land of Narnia. There, the they discover a charming, once peaceful kingdom that has been plunged into eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Aided by the wise and magnificent lion, Aslan, the children lead Narnia into a spectacular, climactic battle to be free of the Witch's glacial powers forever.
Release: 2005-12-07
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
6.6/10
One year after their incredible adventures in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Susan Pevensie return to Narnia to aid a young prince whose life has been threatened by the evil King Miraz. Now, with the help of a colorful cast of new characters, including Trufflehunter the badger and Nikabrik the dwarf, the Pevensie clan embarks on an incredible quest to ensure that Narnia is returned to its rightful heir.
Release: 2008-05-15
Doctor Dolittle (1967)
6.1/10
A veterinarian who can communicate with animals travels abroad to search for a giant sea snail.
Release: 1967-12-05
Paddington 2 (2017)
7.5/10
Paddington, now happily settled with the Browns, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy, but it is stolen.
Release: 2017-11-09
Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018)
7.1/10
Thomas leads his group of escaped Gladers on their final and most dangerous mission yet. To save their friends, they must break into the legendary Last City, a WCKD-controlled labyrinth that may turn out to be the deadliest maze of all. Anyone who makes it out alive will get answers to the questions the Gladers have been asking since they first arrived in the maze.
Release: 2018-01-10
Seventh Son (2014)
5.3/10
John Gregory, who is a seventh son of a seventh son and also the local spook, has protected the country from witches, boggarts, ghouls and all manner of things that go bump in the night. However John is not young anymore, and has been seeking an apprentice to carry on his trade. Most have failed to survive. The last hope is a young farmer's son named Thomas Ward. Will he survive the training to become the spook that so many others couldn't?
Release: 2014-12-12
Vampire Academy (2014)
6/10
Rose, a rebellious half-vampire/half-human guardian-in-training and her best friend, Lissa -- a mortal, royal vampire Princess - have been on the run when they are captured and returned to St. Vladamirs Academy, the very place where they believe their lives may be in most jeopardy. Rose will sacrifice everything to protect Lissa from those who intend to exploit her from within the Academy walls and the Strigoi (immortal, evil vampires) who hunt her kind from outside its sanctuary.
Release: 2014-02-07
The Princess Diaries (2001)
6.8/10
A socially awkward but very bright 15-year-old girl being raised by a single mom discovers that she is the princess of a small European country because of the recent death of her long-absent father, who, unknown to her, was the crown prince of Genovia. She must make a choice between continuing the life of a San Francisco teen or stepping up to the throne.
Release: 2001-08-03
Hugo (2011)
7.1/10
Orphaned and alone except for an uncle, Hugo Cabret lives in the walls of a train station in 1930s Paris. Hugo's job is to oil and maintain the station's clocks, but to him, his more important task is to protect a broken automaton and notebook left to him by his late father. Accompanied by the goddaughter of an embittered toy merchant, Hugo embarks on a quest to solve the mystery of the automaton and find a place he can call home.
Release: 2011-11-22
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009)
5.7/10
Darren Shan is a regular teenage kid. He and his friend Steve find out about a Freak Show coming to town and work hard at trying to find tickets. They do, and together they go to "Cirque du Freak" where they see many strange acts including a wolf-man and a bearded lady
Release: 2009-10-23
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
7.6/10
Young Dorothy finds herself in a magical world where she makes friends with a lion, a scarecrow and a tin man as they make their way along the yellow brick road to talk with the Wizard and ask for the things they miss most in their lives. The Wicked Witch of the West is the only thing that could stop them.
Release: 1939-08-15
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)
7.7/10
As Hiccup fulfills his dream of creating a peaceful dragon utopia, Toothless’ discovery of an untamed, elusive mate draws the Night Fury away. When danger mounts at home and Hiccup’s reign as village chief is tested, both dragon and rider must make impossible decisions to save their kind.
Release: 2019-01-03
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
7.8/10
As the son of a Viking leader on the cusp of manhood, shy Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III faces a rite of passage: he must kill a dragon to prove his warrior mettle. But after downing a feared dragon, he realizes that he no longer wants to destroy it, and instead befriends the beast – which he names Toothless – much to the chagrin of his warrior father
Release: 2010-03-10
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
6.6/10
Alice, an unpretentious and individual 19-year-old, is betrothed to a dunce of an English nobleman. At her engagement party, she escapes the crowd to consider whether to go through with the marriage and falls down a hole in the garden after spotting an unusual rabbit. Arriving in a strange and surreal place called 'Underland,' she finds herself in a world that resembles the nightmares she had as a child, filled with talking animals, villainous queens and knights, and frumious bandersnatches. Alice realizes that she is there for a reason – to conquer the horrific Jabberwocky and restore the rightful queen to her throne.
Release: 2010-03-03
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)
6.2/10
Accident prone teenager, Percy discovers he's actually a demi-God, the son of Poseidon, and he is needed when Zeus' lightning is stolen. Percy must master his new found skills in order to prevent a war between the Gods that could devastate the entire world.
Release: 2010-02-01
The NeverEnding Story (1984)
7.2/10
While hiding from bullies in his school's attic, a young boy discovers the extraordinary land of Fantasia, through a magical book called The Neverending Story. The book tells the tale of Atreyu, a young warrior who, with the help of a luck dragon named Falkor, must save Fantasia from the destruction of The Nothing.
Release: 1984-04-05
The Jungle Book (2016)
6.8/10
A man-cub named Mowgli fostered by wolves. After a threat from the tiger Shere Khan, Mowgli is forced to flee the jungle, by which he embarks on a journey of self discovery with the help of the panther, Bagheera and the free-spirited bear, Baloo.
Release: 2016-04-07
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011)
6.1/10
The new found married bliss of Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen is cut short when a series of betrayals and misfortunes threatens to destroy their world.
Release: 2011-11-16