Common Sense Note
The movie is raunchier than the usual PG, with a lot of bathroom humor and sexual references (kids may ask what it means to be "in heat"), but it's much milder and sweeter than other Murphy vehicles like the PG-13-rated first episode and the Nutty Professor movies.
Families who see this movie could talk about the difficulty of responding to the needs of the family and the responsibility to help others. They may also want to talk about the way that kids sometimes feel embarrassed by their parents, and the importance of listening to the people you love.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Nell Minow
Before the opening credits are over, we've seen bathroom jokes and sexual humor, but at least this time it's rated PG.
It really is a shame, because Eddie Murphy is just great as Dr. Dolittle, content to be the straight man to an adorable assortment of wise-cracking animals. And the story is a cute one. It's a twist on the old classic Born Free. Dolittle is charged with introducing a tame bear into the forest so that he can mate with the last female of their endangered species, in order to protect the forest from developers. Steve Zahn and Lisa Kudrow provide voices for the two bears so deliciously perfect that we want them to get together as much as Dolittle does.
Meanwhile, Dolittle has some problems at home with his teen daughter Charisse (played by TV's Raven) who has a new boyfriend (rapper Lil' Zane) and a secret she isn't ready to discuss.
Watch for the fun cameo by Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. Other celebs do voice cameos, including an uncredited Arnold Schwarzenegger, but this segment offers the most laughs.
Families who enjoy this movie will also enjoy Cats and Dogs. They might like to see the original Dr. Dolittle movie-musical starring Rex Harrison.
Rate It!
| Content | ||||
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| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual ContentComic sexual references. |
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ViolenceSome comic peril, but no one is hurt. |
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LanguageSome mild profanity and sexual references. |
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Message |
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Social BehaviorDepicts a strong, sympathetic, loving African-American family. |
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Commercialism |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoOne animal has a drinking problem. |
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