Luckily, wild animals from around the world really can talk (and in English, no less). In spite of disliking most humans for their misleading offenses, Griffin’s new beastly buddies decide to break their code of silence to help their lovelorn keeper. Slapstick and scatological bits follow as the protagonist is coached to behave like an aggressive animal, even to the point of marking his territory. Of course, Griffin takes every preposterous suggestion to heart. Also helping is Kate (Rosario Dawson), a single, attractive co-worker with whom the zookeeper shares a natural rapport. Guess how this is all going to turn out?
Not that the film’s predictability is the reason for its failure. There are far more serious problems. The humor is lazy and uninspired, relying on too many throwaway gags that feature Griffin being knocked off of his feet again. Other comedic lowlights include weight-related jokes, in which the performer splits his pants while bending over or awkwardly discovers that he can’t fit into a sports car because of his hilarious girth. In fact, one might feel embarrassed and downright uncomfortable for its star and co-writer if he weren’t at least partially responsible for the film’s more questionable punchlines.
ZookeeperThe impressive, yet completely random group of actors cast for the animal voices include Adam Sandler, Cher, Maya Rudolph, Sylvester Stallone, Jon Favreau, film director Judd Apatow and Don Rickles. Nick Nolte fares best as Bernie, a sad, abused gorilla, yet even his more developed subplot turns to cheap laughs after he’s taken out to a local TGI Friday’s and uses his considerable animal magnetism on the restaurant’s female customers. The other voice performers are given even less material to work with and, at times, it feels almost as if the filmmakers had expected audiences to burst into laughter at the mere sight of a wacky talking animal.
As odd a pairing as it may seem, the budding romance between Kate and Griffin is sweet, and the two performers seem to naturally enjoy each other’s company. One wonders how effective the film could have been had it substituted a sharper wit instead of dialogue detailing the effectiveness of hurling turds. Children will be unimpressed with the film’s focus on Griffin’s romantic endeavors and adults will balk at the juvenile jokes,Watch Zookeeper Online Free.
