Recreating much loved children’s story through cinema
This Hollywood fantasy adventure is directed by Stephen Gaghan as a reboot of the Dr. Dolittle films. It is mainly based on and more faithful to The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle.
Robert Downey Jr. plays the title character while Antonio Banderas and Michael Sheen are in live action roles. Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, John Cena, Kumail Nanjiani, Octavia Spencer, Tom Holland, Craig Robinson, Ralph Fiennes, Selena Gomez and Marion Cotillard have rendered their voices for the rest of the cast.
Robert Downey Jr. electrifies one of literature’s most enduring characters in a vivid reimagining of the classic tale of the man who could talk to animals: Dolittle.
After losing his wife seven years earlier, the eccentric Dr. John Dolittle (Downey), famed doctor and veterinarian of Queen Victoria’s England, hermits himself away behind the high walls of Dolittle Manor with only his menagerie of exotic animals for company.
But when the young queen (Jessie Buckley, Wild Rose) falls gravely ill, a reluctant Dolittle is forced to set sail on an epic adventure to a mythical island in search of a cure, regaining his wit and courage as he crosses old adversaries and discovers wondrous creatures.
The doctor is joined on his quest by a young, self-appointed apprentice and a raucous coterie of animal friends, including an anxious gorilla (Oscar winner Rami Malek), an enthusiastic but bird-brained duck (Oscar winner Octavia Spencer), a bickering duo of a cynical ostrich (The Big Sick’s KumailNanjiani) and an upbeat polar bear (John Cena, Bumblebee) and a headstrong parrot (Oscar winner Emma Thompson), who serves as Dolittle’s most trusted advisor and confidante.
The film is now being screened at Liberty By Scope, Colombo City Centrr, Majestic Cinema, Empire Cinema, Sky Lite Malabe, Savoy Cinema – Colombo, Aruna Cinema – Kiribathgoda, Savoy Rajagiriya, Ruoo Cinema Katunayake, Regal Cinema – Gampaha and Milano – Kegalle.
(Compiled by Susitha Fernando)
