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Sunday, December 10, 2023
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HOLLYWOOD ZOOKEEPER
EDITOR'S PICK
Rating: * and
1/2
There`s something particularly charming about literally hearing animals talk to
humans, a sub-genre pioneered by Hollywood. To thus see such a film fare so
badly with its cliche, is indeed a real treat.
Griffin (Kevin James), a zookeeper, is great with his animals but miserable with
girls. The animals, concerned about the love life of their beloved keeper,
conspire amidst themselves to get him hooked. However, when their plan fails,
they break the only code they have in the animal world: to never speak like
humans with humans even though they can very well do so.
There`s not original bone in the body of our Zookeeper. And that is
a shame considering that despite many such films previously, there was scope to
be original, at least with the story. Instead the story spirals down the roller
coaster at breakneck speed with a predictable plot, sub-plot, situations, humour
and everything else that comes in between.
What comes out in the end hence, is a story that is too immature for adults, and
with its crude jokes, unpalatable for young audiences. The film thus lands smack
in no man`s land.
Yet, for those who like and love animals, it has its funny though forgettable
moments - funny because animals syncing their lips to human dialogues is
interesting to watch; forgettable because the lines and jokes that the five
writers choose to put in their mouths is bad, crude and hackneyed from top to
bottom.
What`s worse is that even the physical antics of the humans and animals aren`t
funny or goofball enough to raise even a chuckle.
Instead all it raises is a been-there-done-that feeling. Why? Because you have
indeed been there and done that in countless other films, much better than our
poor and dull zookeeper starring in a poor and dull film.
Much of the problem of the film is in the second half. Though cliched, the first
half is bearable but it is the rush of the second that does the film in.
Dr. Dolittle wasn`t great, but it was good. Don`t expect this film
to even do little to humour you.
Yet if you love a giraffe screaming Mayday, mayday or a gorilla go
on a city outing and fooling humans including a hot chick into dancing with him,
or love to hear some star voice-over cameos (Sylvester Stallone, Cher, Adam
Sandler and Jon Favreau among others), this is a film for you. If not, you`d be
better off with a trip to the zoo.
