Dr. Dolittle

Critics Consensus

Doctor Dolittle finds some mirth in the novelty of wisecracking critters, but this family feature's treacly tone is made queasy by a reliance on scatological gags that undercut the intended warmth.

42%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 52

34%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 873,741
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Movie Info

Betty Thomas directed this adaptation of the classic children's stories by Hugh Lofting (1886-1947), updating the original concepts into the present day. When noted surgeon Dr. John Dolittle (Eddie Murphy) swerves his car to avoid hitting a dog, he hits his head on the windshield, triggering his long-dormant gift for holding conversations with animals. Friends, associates and his wife Lisa (Kristen Wilson), all express concern, but Dr. Dolittle is happy as he takes on new animal clients. Soon Dolittle's clinic becomes a haven for talking rats, birds, and other assorted members of the animal kingdom, and Dolittle's new four-legged and furry friends, in turn, teach him a few things about being human. The effects seamlessly combine Jim Henson Creature Shop animatronics, computer graphics, and real animals, but some viewers might yearn for a return of the Great Pink Sea Snail and Lofting's other imaginative creatures. The 1967 20th Century Fox musical Dr. Dolittle starred Rex Harrison in a strange storyline that began with Dolittle escaping from a lunatic asylum and leaving the Victorian village Puddleby-by-the-Marsh, England, to search the South Seas for the Great Pink Sea Snail. Along the way, he gathered diverse Dolittle denizens and animal anomalies, including the Giant Moon Moth and the famed, two-headed Pushmi-Pullyu. The earlier film spawned the Oscar-winning popular song success, "Talk To The Animals," along with numerous now-forgotten toys, books, and collectibles. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Cast

Eddie Murphy
as Dr. John Dolittle
Oliver Platt
as Dr. Mark Weller
Richard Schiff
as Dr. Gene Reiss
Ossie Davis
as Archer Dolittle
Peter Boyle
as Calloway
Kristen Wilson
as Lisa Dolittle
Jeffrey Tambor
as Dr. Fish
Kyla Pratt
as Maya Dolittle
Raven-Symoné
as Charisse Dolittle
Steven Gilborn
as Dr. Litvack
Chris Rock
as Rodney
Norm Macdonald
as Lucky
Albert Brooks
as Jacob The Tiger
Cherie Franklin
as Mrs. Parkus
Reni Santoni
as Rat #1
John Leguizamo
as Rat #2
Mark Adair-Rios
as Intern
Don Calfa
as Patient at Hammersmith
June Christopher
as Diane
Brian Kwan
as Busboy
Arnold F. Turner
as Animal COntrol Officer
Yule Caise
as Vet's Assistant
Kay Yamamoto
as Receptionist
L. Peter Callender
as Policeman
Kellye Nakahara-Wallett
as Beagle Woman
Richard Penn
as Mr. Galvin
Cliff McLaughlin
as Mounted Policeman
John Lafayette
as Reverend
Dari Gerard Smith
as John Dolittle (age 5)
Raymond Matthew Mason
as John Dolittle (age 3)
Beth Grant
as Woman
Charles Branklyn
as Security Guard
Ming Lo
as Cop #2
Karl T. Wright
as Reporter
Phil Proctor
as Drunk Monkey
Stan Sellers
as Cop #1
Jenna Elfman
as Owl
Julie Kavner
as Female Pidgeon
Brian Doyle-Murray
as Old Beagle
Ellen DeGeneres
as Prologue Dog
Gilbert Gottfried
as Compulsive Dog
Garry Shandling
as Male Pidgeon
Jeff Doucette
as Possum
Phyllis Katz
as Goat
Archie Hahn III
as Heavy Woman's Dog
Eddie Frierson
as Skunk
Paul Reubens
as Raccoon
Douglas Shamburger
as Pound Dog
Erik Todd Dellums
as Jeremy
Royce D. Applegate
as 'I Love You' Dog Voice
Chad Einbinder
as Bettleheim The Cat
Hamilton Camp
as Pig
Kerrigan Mahan
as Penquin
Jonathan Lipnicki
as Baby Tiger
James F. Dean
as Oranqutan
Tom Towles
as German Shepherd
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Critic Reviews for Dr. Dolittle

All Critics (52) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (22) | Rotten (30)

View All Critic Reviews (52)

Audience Reviews for Dr. Dolittle

  • Mar 17, 2012
    Hugh Lofting's Dr.Dolittle is really a bad decision to make an adaptation to the cinema. Both the original picture and this remake are a very dumb and honest... a piece of crap. Rotten.
    Lucas M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 11, 2011
    This is yet another awful remake of a classic film. Eddie Murphy plays Dr. Doolittle, and this is one of the films that he's done where his acting suffered quite a bit and his comedic delivery started to be quite boring. After this dreadful film, Eddie Murphy starred in Bowfinger which was great, but really Dr. Doolittle was the one that was one of many misfires to come from the actor. This is a boring, unfunny film that should never have been made. This film doesn't entertain, but it might entertain young kids and families looking for a good time, however this is mostly a moronic remake of a classic film, and everything about the film seems out of place. This is a pointless comedy that should never have been made, and the cast seem bored and the jokes were stale. The film gets tiresome very quickly and you simply want it to end. Eddie Murphy started making crap with this film, and like I previously stated, this was the first many horrible films he would make. I didn't enjoy this film and I thought it was overall very stupid with nothing good to offer. Eddie Murphy was once pretty funny, but with films like this, he shows that he has nothing left to deliver in comedy. After this one, he simply became worse. Avoid this film, and watch one his earlier efforts instead. Better yet, watch an actual funny film. If you're looking for a great comedy, this remake sadly doesn't deliver.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
  • Dec 02, 2011
    Dr. Dolittle was an agonizing experience with a few decent jokes and a talented voice cats gone to waste by a movie that does not know if its for kids or adults.
    Bradley W Super Reviewer
  • Oct 09, 2011
    just a standard movie, not memorable at all
    Paul A Super Reviewer
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