Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts

More than a decade prior, Eddie Murphy was the star of “Dr. Dolittle,” the story of a doctor who has the talent to speak with animals. It made nearly $300 million worldwide and, not a surprise, had a sequel that made over $175 million more. As Murphy’s family-friendly comedies are, both films were really entertaining. After “Dr. Dolittle 2” in 2001, the franchise went direct-to-video. Kyla Pratt, who played the youngest daughter in the first two films, became the protagonist. Her character, Maya Dolittle, having the ability to understand animals passed down, continued talking to animals all throughout the three direct-to-video sequels. The last of them, “Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts,” came out in 2009.

The story is about Maya’s decision on whether to go to veterinary school or host a television show about animals. Her mother, reprised by Kristen Wilson, obviously wants her to go to school, but Maya has second thoughts after seeing how many years she will have to attend veterinary school. When a teenage heiress, Tiffany, played by Tegan Moss, asks for Maya’s animal talking ability to help her with her dog problems, she goes to Hollywood. In a funny part, she sees that the diva failed to see that her dog was male and ended up giving the pet an identity crisis by dressing him as a girl. After solving that problem, Maya and Tiffany become friends and are giving a joint hosting job by a producer looking to show Maya’s talent.

Clocking in at 87 minutes, this is a harmless movie that has got to keep younger children entertained. There isn’t much for the older demographic, unless they are Norm MacDonald fans. He comes back to voice the dog Lucky, just like he has throughout the entire franchise (only credited in the first). The Other Chad said in his review, “As Maya, Kyla Pratt has become a little too grown up for the role. Pratt, now in her early twenties, plays a character who has just graduated from high school. Looking quite womanly in a series of rather low cut dresses, it is questionable how many kids will relate to her anymore.”

This is what The Other Chad had said about the Blu-Ray disc: “A movie like this doesn't exactly need to exhibit a quality audio/video presentation, but this Blu-ray release this looks and sounds perfectly acceptable. The sharp picture benefits from bold, bright colors. The Blu-ray version is actually a two-disc set, with the second disc being a standard DVD of the movie. Comparing a few scenes, the Blu-ray has a crisper, more finely detailed picture. Audio is presented in 5.1 DTS-HD, but the soundscape is limited. The mix isn't overly complex and surround effects are not frequent. The dialogue remains clear and easy to understand throughout.”

Neither really good nor painfully bad, “Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts” should work just fine for kids who want to waste a day watching a movie. This installment was the last in the family franchise, which is nowhere near being unwatchable, but it looked like they realized that maybe this was a good place to stop at.

As already stated, I don’t think that this was a bad movie. I think that people will find enjoyment in it, and I think people should give it a chance. If people don’t really like the sequels, especially the direct-to-video ones, I can understand why. However, I think you should see all of the movies and judge it based on your own opinion. They are harmless and there isn’t anything really bad in them.

Thank you everyone for joining in on “Dr. Dolittle Month.” I hope everyone enjoyed it and stay tuned next month to see what I will review next.

Dr. Dolittle: Tail To The Chief

Maya Dolittle, reprised by Kyla Pratt, isn’t your typical high school graduate. When looking at veterinary studies, she has talent that no one else has. She has her father’s gift to talk to animals (which we have seen in the first two movies). However, speaking with animals might be innate, but getting them to listen is a different problem.

When Maya gets rejected by her local university due to low marks and much lower performance with a group of baby animals (who were more interested in bodily functions than assisting her), she goes home embarrassed and disappointed. How can she use her ability to get herself an education when everything is not working?

Luck is on her side because she’s not the only one having a tough time. The USA President, played by Peter Coyote, is also having trouble. Bethany Gustafson said in her review, “A recent attempt to persuade an African Crown Prince (Kwesi Ameyaw) to sign a deal preserving a priceless sliver of rainforest backfired when the Chief upchucked on the dignitary’s lap—thanks to a mouthful of bad oysters.”

Now, with only eight days left, the President decides a different attempt. He just needs to win over the Prince by winning over the Prince’s daughter. The best way to do that is have her spend time with a cute puppy. The only problem with that is that the White House only has one dog, and she’s recently forgotten everything she learned in obedience school.

Gustafson said, “In desperation, America turns to the ultimate in animal whispering accomplishments; the Dolittle family, and Maya jumps at the chance like a dog to a bone. No university is going to turn down a girl who has “saved the country” on her resume.”

However, preventing a large problem is easier said than done. Gustafson said, “Daisy, (voiced by Jennifer Coolidge) the “First Dog” is on a canine rampage, backed by her exotic friends who will use any weapon they can get their paws and claws on (including garbage and animal droppings). With time running out, Maya begins to wonder if this critter catastrophe may be more than even a Dolittle can handle.”

For parents, a major worry would be including some bathroom humor, horrible antics and small teenage rebellion. However, the film’s message of solving problems through communication and valuing family can still make “Dr. Dolittle: Tail To The Chief,” released in 2008, a recommended movie.

This is another harmless movie for families to watch. Even though it may not be good for everyone, but I personally had no issue with it. The lesson at the end is a good one for everyone to learn and one that is probably needed for kids to learn. Check it out and give it a chance.

Look out next week for the finale of “Dr. Dolittle Month.”

Dr. Dolittle 3

Rich Thorne started his review by saying, “While I did say that I wasn’t going to bother watching this after having seen the lacklustre Dr. Dolittle 2, I ended up watching it recently anyway. You know what? It was better than I expected. Which perhaps isn’t saying a lot.”

Maya Dolittle, reprised by Kyla Pratt, has her father’s gift of speaking with animals, but she just wants to be a normal teenager and not some outcast who can talk to animals. Her mother, reprised by Kristen Wilson, decides to send her to Durango, a summer camp on a farm, where she can fully accept her gift – and to also have a fresh start.

Maya says her name is Maya Dolores Haines and acts like she can’t talk to animals. Her dog Lucky, voiced by Norm MacDonald, comes with her.

Durango is a farm which is struggling, and owner Jud Jones, played by James Evans from the classic sitcom “Good Times,” John Amos, might have to sell it to a nearby farm that is much better. This would be sad because Durango isn’t as bad as Maya thinks at first. On top of that, Jud’s son Bo, played by Walker Howard, is the most handsome cowboy that Maya has ever seen.

The supporting cast includes Luciana Carro as Brooklyn, Tommy Snider as Clayton, and Calum Worthy as Tyler.

Thorne noted, “Okay, let’s be honest. Even though I said it was better than expected, that isn’t to say it’s an outstanding film in any way. It’s a cliché-ridden, bog-standard teen film that went straight to video. But because I didn’t expect anything of it, let alone quality, I still found it reasonably enjoyable to watch.”

Eddie Murphy is nowhere in this film, even though he was the main character in the last two films. Thorne said, “This is actually a good thing. I don’t really have an opinion of the guy either way, but shifting focus to his daughter means the film can shift target audience a bit as well. You don’t have to try including adults in it, and that’s an improvement. Besides, cute talking animals!”

Brooklyn is there to be the villain for Maya and obviously they immediately don’t get along. Thorne noted, “Clayton is there to be the Fat Slob who keeps eating all the time (yay for reinforcing negative stereotypes) and provide occasional comic relief, as is weedy ginger Tyler. It’s simple, but it’s not meant to be anything else.” Obviously Bo is handsome and there will be challenges to face so that it’s a happy ending, like you’d predict.

“Dr. Dolittle 3,” released in 2006, is the type of film that you would watch on there’s nothing else to do and you’re bored because it passes the time.

I didn’t mind this film at all, even though it was direct-to-video. If you liked the other films, you should see this one and give it a chance. I thought it was enjoyable for what it was and thought that nothing was wrong with it. However, if you end up not liking it, I completely understand.

Look out next week when I look at the next installment in “Dr. Dolittle Month.”

Dr. Dolittle 2

When you look at it, “Dr. Dolittle 2,” released in 2001, is more entertaining than the first movie thanks to funnier animals and a great performance from Eddie Murphy. The first movie was about the appearance of a childhood talent to speak to the animals, but the sequel can turn its attention to a more basic story. That’s not to say that “Dr. Dolittle 2” has any great or original script. Andrew Manning said in his review, “Indeed, it's a typical sitcom standard where the Bradys or the Keatons or any other 30-minute American family has to save their favorite natural habitat from evil construction workers.” However, with this ordinary story is more suitable of a family film than 90 minutes of Dr. Dolittle discovering his innate ability. Instead of talking about a completely pointless story of why he can talk to the animals, we instead take his gift for granted and continue with everything.

When the local woods are threatened by land developers, the animals ask for help from Dr. Dolittle. Manning said, “To these ends, a group of animals comically organized like an Italian crime family send Joey the Raccoon (one of the funniest characters in the movie by far, voiced by Michael Rapaport) to get the good doctor. Dolittle reluctantly gets involved, and Joey takes him back to the woods to meet "The Godbeaver."” Together, they make a plan to save the forest. If Dolittle can get two rare Pacific Western bears to get together, then the forest will be called a home for endangered animals and cannot be trespass by the developers (Jeffrey Jones and Kevin Pollak).

Manning said, “Dolittle finds two such potential throwrugs: a circus performing bear named Archie and a forest dwelling she-bear named Ava. The problem is that Ava wants a "real man" who can provide for her, not a creampuff city bear like Archie.” For the entire movie, Dr. Dolittle and Archie make a plan to get Ava to fall in love with Archie.

Dr. Dolittle 2’s greatest strength is its cast of supporting animals. Michael Rapaport’s Joey the Raccoon, a drunken French monkey who can’t stop drinking (Phil Proctor), and a delusional chameleon named Pepito (Jacob Vargas) are the best. So many celebrities have cameo voices all throughout the film: Kevin Pollak, Isaac Hayes, Andy Dick, Joey Lauren Adams, Michael McKean, Cedric the Entertainer, Molly Shannon, John Witherspoon, Mandy Moore, Frankie Muniz (who you might remember from “Malcolm in the Middle”), and even Arnold Schwarzenegger, who parodies himself so well that it sounds like an impressionist is mimicking the Terminator.

Ironically, the three animals stars who get the most screen time are the ones who are the least interesting. Archie and Ava, voiced by Steve Zahn and Lisa Kudrow respectively, are a fairly boring bear couple. (Manning said, “Do any Friends and Mad About You fans out there agree with me that Kudrow's bear should have appropriately been named Ursula?”) Also Norm MacDonald, who returns as the voice of Dolittle’s pet dog Lucky, brings nothing but weak jokes mostly involving animalistic habits of creating space. Which leads into another serious problem in “Dr. Dolittle 2” – this movie has a fascination with bathroom humor. Manning said, “There is an unhealthy number of scenes involving spraying animals, something I don't find particularly interesting.”

Another story of “Dr. Dolittle 2” is the teen melodrama where Dr. Dolittle’s oldest daughter (Raven-Symoné), who has the usual boatload of adolescent problems, like falling in love (Lil Zane). Trying really hard to separate from her parents, she resentfully finds out she is more like her father than she would like to admit. Again, the story feels like it’s taken from a family sitcom, but so is pretty much the rest of the movie. At least everything is kept in context.

Kristen Wilson and Kyla Pratt are also back in here and it’s great to see the family together, even though this will be the last time we’ll see them together. Also, the late James Avery (who you’ll remember as Uncle Phil from “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and the voice of Shredder in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”) makes a brief cameo in here as Lil Zane’s dad.

I had seen parts of this movie as a teen, but it wasn’t until a few years back that I finally decided to watch the entire movie and I absolutely loved it. It was funny, entertaining, and I thought it was a good sequel. If you liked the first one, give this movie a watch and don’t hate on it like all the other critics have been doing.

Like I already mentioned, this is the last movie that has Eddie Murphy and Raven-Symoné. The remaining sequels will focus on Kyla Pratt’s character. If you want to know how they turned out, stay tuned next week in the continuation of “Dr. Dolittle Month” to find out.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

For this year’s “Independence Day Movie Review,” I thought that I would look at one of my absolute favorite movies, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” released in 1939. This is still a classic over 80 years after it was released in theaters and is a part of the Columbia Classics: 4K Ultra HD Collection.

Danielle Solzman noted in her review, “While the film has beautifully aged, the same couldn’t be said for its theatrical release in 1939.  It was slammed by many politicians.  Democratic Senate Majority Leader Alben W. Barkley wasn’t among the fans.  Nor was Joseph P. Kennedy, then the American Ambassador to Great Britain.  He was ticked and afraid of how the USA would look to the outside world.”

Jefferson Smith, played by James Stewart, is an optimistic senator from Montana. When Sam Foley dies in office, Governor Hubert “Happy” Hopper, played by Guy Kibbee, needs to choose who will replace Foley. His children want Smith to be the one since he is the head of the Boy Rangers. The rest you can tell.

When Smith arrives in Washington, Senator Joseph Paine, played by Claude Rains, hires him. Senator Paine was also a friend of Smith’s father. Smith falls in love with Paine’s daughter, Susan, played by Astrid Allwyn. Because of his personality and everything, the Washington Press makes him into a joke. Things become ugly and after Paine’s suggestion, Smith writes a bill with his secretary, Clarissa Saunders, played by Jean Arthur. Clarissa is a Washington veteran so she has the required experience in this field.

Solzman noted, “Sidney Buchman–pre-blacklist–bases his screenplay on an unpublished story about Senator Burton Wheeler (D-MT).” Once Frank Capra became the director of the film, he wanted to hire Gary Cooper on the crew. Sadly, Cooper was not available for the film. As a backup, Capra was able to sign James Stewart on loan from MGM. Solzman noted, “In another universe, the film would have been a sequel to Mr. Deeds Goes to Town.  What a sight that would have been!”

Solzman continued, “One of the most impressive things I love about the film is the attention to detail with recreating the United States Senate on camera.  It’s more than just the Senate but offices, monuments, etc.  When you’re looking at the chamber, you’re looking at a complete reproduction on the Columbia lot.  It’s honestly amazing how authentic it is.”

One of the things that the film does perfectly is how realistic the politicians are easily corrupted. It’s completely wrong and one of the saddest parts when we look at American politics. That might be the reason behind a lot of Washington politicians didn’t like the film in 1939. Solzman noted, “This is why the Oscar-winning (Best Writing – Original Story) film stands the test of time.” Jefferson Smith is a politician that we don’t see anymore. That is why “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” is still one of the best political films ever made.

If you haven’t seen this film yet, why are you reading this review? You need to see this movie, especially since it fits well with today. Go out and see this movie immediately because it’s one of the best ever made. Everyone should see this, especially with such memorable scenes, like the final sequence.

Happy Independence Day everyone! I would suggest no one go out for the fireworks tonight because of everything going on. If you do, then please stay safe. Check in next week for the next review in “Dr. Dolittle Month.”

Dr. Dolittle

For quite some time now, I have been considering on reviewing the “Dr. Dolittle” franchise, but I never got around to reviewing them until now. All throughout the month of July, I will be looking at the franchise, starting with the first movie, which came out in 1998.

John R. McEwen started his review by saying, “It's always a bit depressing to me when Hollywood does a modern remake of an old children's classic movie, because it always says something to me about our changing tastes. Since censorship has been radically relaxed since the old days, new versions of those innocent old films almost always devolve into something rather cheap and crude. I can just imagine future releases: Bambi with diarrhea, the tin man rusting up because he wets his pants, and Willy Wonka having an illicit affair with one of the Oompa-Loompas.”

McEwen continued, “Don't get me wrong; I can enjoy an occasional off-color joke as much as the next guy, but I prefer if they're not written into the old movies I loved as a kid.” That is the case with 20^th Century Fox’s 1998 remake of “Dr. Dolittle,” directed by Betty Thomas and starring Eddie Murphy as the protagonist. This rewrite of Hugh Lofting’s 1927 novel, written by Nat Lauldin and Larry Levin, is really different from Leslie Bricusse’s 1967 original.

John Dolittle has been able to talk to animals since he was a child, played by Raymond Matthew Mason at 3 and Dari Gerard Smith at 5. However, his father, played by Ossie Davis, forced him to kill his talent, afraid that he would become a loner in the world. Not until he becomes an adult and a successful M.D. does the talent come back. Just as he and his colleagues, played by Oliver Platt and Richard Schiff, are about to make a huge deal with a large company including their small practice, John starts hearing voices from stray dogs and guinea pigs.

After some time of denial, he accepts his gift and helps a rat who is having stomach pains. He gets really famous in the animal community and is soon overwhelmed with so many patients, all having different types of illness. Confusing his colleagues, his wife (Kristen Wilson), and two daughters (Kyla Pratt, Raven-Symone), he must make the decision on saving his relationships with people or his large animal patients. Or maybe he could balance between the two.

Eddie Murphy is one of those actors I have always found to be funny in everything he does. Even though this may not be one of his best movies, he is really enjoyable in here, with the other actors just staying out of the way during his parts. The human part of the story is really weird. It is obviously just there to give a small support for the animal plot.

McEwen noted, “But the most fun aspect of this film (for me) is trying to guess at the multitude of celebrity voices featured as the animals.” SNL comedian who also was the star of “The Norm Show,” Norm Macdonald (Lucky the dog) and Chris Rock (Rodney the guinea pig) are easy. They’re featured characters. However, there are so many TV and movie actors’ voices playing small roles in the entire movie, each with different characterizations. Listen for Albert Brooks, Reni Santoni, John Leguizamo, Julie Kavner, Garry Shandling, Ellen DeGeneres, Brian Doyle-Murray, Jenna Elfman, and Gilbert Gottfried, among others.

McEwen ended his review by saying, “While this film, with its toilet paper and fart jokes, cannot possibly aspire to the kind of magic created by the 1967 version (I'll never forget that huge snail and butterfly), it does pack a few laughs and a great diversity of funny cameos.”

I remember seeing this movie at a second cousin’s house and found it to be hilarious. I was laughing at all the parts with Murphy, Macdonald and Rock. I believe I must have seen it twice in my teens, but when I rewatched it a few years back, I still found it to be funny. I do think that everyone should see this movie because it is a very enjoyable, entertaining movie for the whole family to sit through and watch. You’ll love it, especially those who aren’t so rough on Murphy’s family-friendly movies.

Look out tomorrow when I review a yearly “Independence Day Movie Review.”