Robert Downey Jr. returns to the big screen in Dolittle as an eccentric rich man who takes a young orphan under his wing while demonstrating a tendency towards creating wacky gadgets and talking with animals. I know, it sounds quite similar to his role as Iron Man, but in Dolittle, the British kid gets to keep his own accent. And there are multiple animals, instead of just a talking raccoon. To be fair, Tom Holland may have kept his real accent too… he voices a dog. (The less that is said of Downey’s variable accent, the better.)
We had seen the previews for Dolittle repeatedly and thought it would be an entertaining pair of hours. It’s not high quality literature or cinema, it doesn’t even address the personal and social issues that Eddie Murphy delved into as Doctor Dolittle in his incarnation of the role. The over-arching plot is that Dolittle and sidekicks must search for a miracle cure for the Queen on an undiscovered island, using only notes that Dolittle’s late wife left behind… after they retrieve those notes.
Most of the animals have ongoing issues that Dolittle is supposed to be solving, including a gorilla who’s so frightened of confrontation, he is hesitant to play chess; an injured squirrel who amuses viewers with his occasional commentary; and an emotionally stunted tiger living in the shadow of his brother, who as everybody knows, eats poachers. The silliness is increased by an over-the-top villain who is clearly envious of Dolittle’s rapport with animals and is desperately trying to outdo him on anything.
This movie’s good for a few laughs. If you happen to see it at a theater that sells alcohol (and you’re of an appropriate age), the alcohol will probably help. Especially when Dolittle helps the dragon.