Dr. Dolittle 2
© James C. Hess
When I first heard Eddie Murphy was making a sequel to the box office success "Dr. Dolittle", I experienced what can only be described as 'trepidation'.
Understandable, this. Yes, Murphy has demonstrated he can do more than just mouth off by way of foul remarks and a dirty mouth. Yes, Murphy has demonstrated he is more than Chris Rock (who will never amount to much). But, still. . .
A sequel? Especially to a movie like "Dr. Dolittle"?
Trepidation.
Unfounded, it seems, after the fact.
"Dr. Dolittle 2" is a fun movie. Albeit it crude and rude at times. For those who don't know the good doctor is a man who can talk to animals. He also listens, for that is worth.
While they, often, pass gas.
But never mind. This is just Eddie Murphy showing through.
Since the first movie things have happened: The good doctor now runs his own animal clinic. (Replete with recovery programs and therapy for ownerless mutts of all stripes.) His daughter, Charisse (Raven-Symone) is now 16 and starting to date. He has a yard and house filled with animals. And everything is just this side of a three-ring circus.
Albeit a cute and warm-hearted circus.
That quickly faces a crisis: A forest is about to be leveled by an enemy (Jeffrey Jones) of the environment. The animals of said environ, led by a Godfather-like beaver, seek the help of the good doctor, Dolittle, who quickly finds himself and his furry friends in over their heads: The slimy guy is represented by a rather slick and greasy attorney (Kevin Pollak), who runs legal circles around the circus in question.
But not to worry: Dolittle gets his lawyer wife to defend his side in court.
Question: Does Dolittle stand a chance of winning? I don't want to reveal too much, so I won't answer. I will tell that what transpires is pure Murphy.
Speaking of Murphy he fits well to this role. (Even though he does better in The Nutty Professor efforts, I think.) Will there be a third movie in this series? Why not? A certain other actor did well in the role of the Nutty Professor and we know what became of him.
He became a star.
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