The most frustrating thing, however, about Dr. Dolittle 2 is its star. Watching Eddie Murphy play the straight man is like seeing Michael Johnson sprint in leg irons -- the man is hobbled.
Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:104
Fresh:42
Rotten:62
Average Rating:4.9/10
Consensus: Although there are laughs to be had in Dr. Dolittle 2, its preoccupation with toilet humor and Murphy’s restrained performance makes this a missed opportunity.
Runtime: 87 mins
Genre: Childrens
Synopsis:
Eddie Murphy returns as the doctor who can talk to the animals, in Dr. Dolittle 2, the sequel to the blockbuster 1998 comedy, which grossed over $290 million worldwide. This time, it’s Dolittle...
Eddie Murphy returns as the doctor who can talk to the animals, in Dr. Dolittle 2, the sequel to the blockbuster 1998 comedy, which grossed over $290 million worldwide. This time, it’s Dolittle versus Darwin in the ultimate man vs. nature show down, in the midst of the animal kingdom’s first strike.
In Dr. Dolittle 2, the now-famous doc has more patients – two-legged and four-legged – than he can handle. But his animal friends want more than office visits. But his animal friends want more than office visits. The outraged critters want to save their forest from unscrupulous human developers, and they’re seeking Dolittle’s help.
Dolittle concocts a plan to save the forest: Find an endangered species the law protects. He discovers a lone endangered Pacific Western Bear, Ava, living in the condemned forest. But she needs a mate – and Dolittle thinks he’s found one in Archie, a city-dwelling, wise-cracking, fast-food-loving, circus-performing bear. Although Archie initially resists the idea, Dolittle convinces him there’s live to be found in his natural habitat.
Dolittle and his dog Lucky head to the forest to try and teach Archie the ways of the wild. Unfortunately, it’s hardly a love connection for the mismatched bears, as Ava is unimpressed by Archie’s bumbling antics. And Lucky’s live life with the local wolf isn’t faring much better.
Will Dolittle’s animal friends start walking picket lines? Can her come up with the right prescription to bring Ava and Archie together, and save the forest? Will Lucky get lucky? It’s down to the wire, as Dolittle and company give the money-hungry land-grabbers a taste of real bargaining power – wilderness style. -- © 2001 20th Century Fox
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Lil' Zane, Jeffrey Jones, Kevin Pollak
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Lil' Zane, Jeffrey Jones, Kevin Pollak, Kyla Pratt, Raven Symone, Kristen Wilson, Steve Irwin, Norm MacDonald, Lisa Kudrow, Michael Rapaport, Molly Shannon, Steve Zahn, Anthony Anderson, Joe Bologna, Mike Epps, Phil Proctor, Reni Santoni, Renee Taylor
Director: Steve Carr
Director: Steve Carr
Screenwriter: Larry Levin
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Reviews for Dr. Dolittle 2
It's not Shakespeare, but it's all over before the average 3-year-old with a 16-ounce Hi-C will feel the urge to pee, and that is an art all its own.
A modest family comedy, probably fun for kids and reasonably cute, or at least not too insufferable, for most of the grownups who will take them.
The absence of a strong plot-related motivation for the movie has led to complete creative bankruptcy.
If there was ever a case against the making of sequels, this can be labeled exhibit A. This flick has everything wrong that one of these things can.
An energetic, pleasing family movie, with plenty of clever humor and a cast of endearing animals.
Like most other talking-animal movies, it winds up talking down to its audience.
It's not as clever as Shrek or as action-packed as Atlantis, but for my money, Dr. Dolittle 2 wins the prize for most charming kid flick of the summer.
If there's bad fallout to the success of 1995's Babe, you're lookin' at it.
I'm not sure Dolittle is bad enough to have original author Hugh Lofting spinning in his grave, but it ain't no Babe, either.
Have screenwriters become so lazy that they can't think of anything funnier than a bear sitting down on a toilet to take a dump?
Even with its flaws, Dr. Dolittle 2 is a decent matinee movie for the kiddies.
Without question, Dolittle 2 does entertain, but it just doesn't have enough heart and hardiness to let slide its deficiencies.
A pointless sequel to the 1998 hit, is superior to its hideously misguided predecessor, and yet it's still pretty bad.
Latest News for Dr. Dolittle 2
June 14, 2001:
Dolittle was shot during hibernation season, and its ursine star (a brother of Bart from The Bear) just wanted to nap all day. ![]()
More...
May 22, 2001:
Variety reports that Kevin Pollak and Jeffrey Jones are also aboard, though it isn't yet known whether they'll be playing humans or providing animal voices. ![]()
More...
May 22, 2001:
Rushing into production on an $80 million Eddie Murphy sequel apparently wasn't exciting enough for Twentieth Century Fox. ![]()
More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Dr. Dolittle 2 at Rotten Tomatoes
- Dr. Dolittle 2 at IGN
- Dr. Dolittle 2 at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.





