Doctor Dolittle 2 (Wide Screen) > Reviews > worth BEARing in mind

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Outstanding
How does it compare to similar films?	Good

Advantages:	Good effects, acting and jokes
Disadvantages:	didn't have Rodney from the first film

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

It was on the cards that there would be a sequal to Dr.Doolittle 1, it just took a little more time than usual to produce (probabaly down to Eddie Murpheys hectic work schedule). And here it is. You would be forgiven if you thought that this sequal would follow the trend of soooo many others in the way of being far less superior to it's original. Hmmm...as sequals go, this is quite a good effort and very entertaining but you decide for yourself.

There is a good storyline going through this film too, and as poor storylines are usually the downfall of sequals, this was on a winner from scratch. Basically Dr.Doolittle is now a well known, much respected vet in his home town and business is busier than ever. Then he is sent a message from a badger that a beaver wishes to see him and as the beaver doesn't visit anyone the doctor would have to go to HIM. This beaver turns out to be a sort of mafia-leader of a beaver and tells the doctor that large parts of a forest are being chpped down and all the animals are losing there homes. The only way the doctor can save the forest from being chopped down is to find a bear to mate with the forests endangered species - a happy-go-lucky bear w3hose voice is provided by Lisa kudrow (Phoebe from Friends)

So the doctor pleads with a performing bear called Archie to mate with this bear in order to save the forest. Being a little reluctant and stubborn at first the bear soon agrees to carry out the task after being promised fame which will make him "bigger than poo". The doctor then has a very difficult task of trying to teach Archie to behave like a wild bear in order to get the girl....this is done with hilarious consequences.

Apart from this main storyline there are other plots in the film aswell. DR.Doolittles' daughter is now involved in a relationship and is becoming a little difficult to deal with, however all is explained at the end of the film which is a tad predictable. There is also the Doctors troubles relationship with his wife who feels his work is now putting a strain on their marriage.

There are some great characters in the film. Lucky the dog returns from the first film as is as amusing as ever as is the french-whiskey-swilling-drunken monkey. However there is shock to learn that the lovable Guinea Pig Rodney doesn't make a return.

New characters include, ofcourse, Archie the bear and his target girlfriend. But there is also a chameleon lizard who is finding it hard to change colour to adapt to his surroundings, a mafia boss beaver and lots of other furry friends.

Acting in the film is superb and every member of the cast carries out there role brilliantly. The special effects of the animals movements and speech are also spectacular, noticably better than the original film. The voice overs for the animals suit there personalities very well and are convincing.

The film is aimed at older members of the family perhaps from age 10 and upwards and this is only because a lot of the jokes are more adult orientated and the little ones might start to look a little bemused. Other than that, this is a film that can be enjoyed by all. If you like your cute little animal films (and there are a number of them to choose from at the moment) then this is right up your street. And it's worth bear(haha)ing in mind that if you likes the original then you'll love this one. But if the original didn't float your boat then stay well away and go and watch something dull like Final Fantasy or something.