Lynn b. of our Hollywood Preview crew, went to a screening of a new family comedy film.. Here's the scoop on:

DR. DOLITTLE 2

Eddie Murphy's connection with animals is becoming legendary. As "Donkey" in the recent Shrek, he's delighted young and old world-wide. As Doctor Dolittle he talks to wise cracking critters and cracks jokes right back at them. He says "Of all the movies I've done, I get the most feedback on Dr. Dolittle. No matter where I am - all over the world--kids and teens would come up to me and say, 'Hey, Dr. D!'" He took on Dr. "D" 2 to please those kids and his own.

When a logging company and evil developers want to chop down a local forest, the animals ask Doctor Dolittle for help to save their homes. In order to protect the forest, Dolittle decides to find a resident endangered species protected by law and the developers will have to back off. He finds Ava, a Pacific Western Bear but she needs a mate or her species will die out in the area. Dolittle finds Archie, a circus bear who is sort of a ham and has no idea how to live in the wilderness. Taking Archie to the forest to teach him how to adapt isn't Dolittle's teen daughter Charisse's (Raven-Symone) idea of the perfect family vacation. She was expecting a trip to Europe. When her boyfriend Eric (Lil' Zane) follows her, Dolittle goes into over-protective over-drive. Ava isn't very impressed with city bear Archie and Dolittle must deal with the romantic problems of the bears and his own family unrest.

Archie manages to impress his lady bear but the bad guys frame him. It looks like he'll be hauled off and have to go back into show biz but Dolittle rallies the animals who launch a world-wide effort to save the forest. Charisse finally admits a secret she's been keeping and father and dad are closer than ever.
In "Doc 2", Eddie Murphy gives us the same sharp attitude and quick comeback stylings that make his brand of comedy work so well. We loved him as "Donkey" and this film reminds us that he's just as funny in human form.

I'm getting a little tired of animal films that feature critters "cutting the cheese", burping and generally stinking up the place but, although "Dolittle" has all that, it also contains some pretty clever lines and some interesting actors providing the voices. You might recognize Steve Zahn as Archie the bear, Lisa Kudrow as Archie's girlfriend Ava and Malcolm in the Middle's Frankie Muniz and pop star Mandy Moore as bear cubs.

The story here is family friendly as, while trying to make a match for Archie, the doc realizes that he's been too busy to pay much attention to his own family and marriage, especially his relationship with his teen daughter played by an incredibly grown up Raven Symone (remember the smallest daughter on the Cosby Show?). Recording artist Lil' Zane shows acting chops as her boyfriend Eric. There are some great small moments in the film, especially one funny bit in which a talking croc (the voice of Kevin Pollock) eats annoying t.v. crocodile hunter Steve Irwin. Some of the best lines belong to a "talking" chameleon from south of the border who is a wild combo of the Taco bell dog and those lizards from the Bud commercials. Tank, the bear playing Archie, was especially amazing and playful. 90 percent of the "critter" scenes are real animals performing, aided by animatronic puppets and computer work.

If you are burning out on watching things blow up this summer, then go see something cute and cuddly with "attitude".

Directed by	Steve Carr
Screenplay by	Larry Levin
Starring:	Eddie Murphy as Dr. Dolittle
	Kristen Wilson as Lisa Dolittle
	Raven-Symone as Charisse Dolittle
	Lil' Zane as Eric
And the voices of:	Steve Zahn as Archie
	Lisa Kudrow as Ava
	Jacob Vargas as Pepito