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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. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

After a fender bender, Dr. John Dolittle (Eddie Murphy) gets back his childhood ability to converse with animals. But the gift turns out to be a mixed blessing when the good doctor finds himself besieged by boozing monkeys, injured owls and depressed lions who need his special assistance. When Dolittle's strange behavior catches the attention of his wife, Lisa (Kristen Wilson), he winds up in a mental institution. Luckily, he has some animal friends to help him out of his hairy situation.

Cast & Crew

Eddie Murphy
Dr. John Dolittle
Ossie Davis
Archer Dolittle
Oliver Platt
Dr. Mark Weller
Peter Boyle
Calloway
Richard Schiff
Dr. Gene Reiss
Kristen Wilson
Lisa Dolittle
Jeffrey Tambor
Dr. Fish
Kyla Pratt
Maya Dolittle
Raven-Symone
Charisse Dolittle
Steven Gilborn
Dr. Sam Litvack
Betty Thomas
Director
Nat Mauldin
Screenwriter
Larry Levin
Screenwriter
John Davis
Producer
Joseph M. Singer
Producer
David T. Friendly
Producer
Sue Baden-Powell
Executive Producer
Jenno Topping
Executive Producer
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Critic Reviews for Dr. Dolittle

All Critics (52) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (22) | Rotten (30)

  • Slim on story and rife with scatological jokes, the film may strike a chord with pre-teens but misses for an older crowd despite some nifty effects and broad humor.

    March 26, 2009

    Leonard Klady

    Variety

  • Murphy's likeable, the script's laden with a gaggle of one-liners, and there's even a vague message nestling beneath the zoological chaos.

    January 26, 2006 | Full Review…

    Derek Adams

    Time Out

  • Murphy himself is rather dull in the straight man role, and the jokes are pretty coarse for a family film. But it's certainly better than the lacklustre sequel, which finds Eddie playing second fiddle to a performing bear.

    July 24, 2001 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Neil Smith

    BBC.com

  • Quote not available.

    January 1, 2000 | Rating: 2/4
    USA Today

  • Doctor Doolittle seems to have borrowed the idea from the execrable Theodore Rex that if your anthropomorphic creature can't say anything interesting, you should just keep him talking fast in the hope no one will notice.

    January 1, 2000 | Full Review…

    Noel Murray

    Nashville Scene

  • A cloying, humorless motion picture whose only assets are the work of Jim Henson's Creature Shop and a couple of good one-liners by a pair of rodents.

    January 1, 2000 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review…

    James Berardinelli

    ReelViews
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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