Fast forward to 2020 and you now have the latest film attempt to capture some of that magic. It’s loosely based on Lofting’s second book, The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle that was originally published way back in 1922. It gives lead actor Robert Downey Jr a chance to break out of the MCU and franchise straitjacket for well, another franchise.

Downey is his usual charismatic self and it’s a good thing as the film doesn’t aim very high. It’s a contented work that settles quite happily for providing an easy to digest escape into a literary character that has a built in fan base, at least for those that still read books. It’s also always fun with movies like this to guess who provides the voices behind the completely computer generated animals.

Charming if not a bit juvenile, Dolittle makes the most out of a minimal storyline and a maximum voice cast who all sound like they had great fun doing what they do. There are few surprises in store but it is quite good at providing a satisfying sense of spectacle. It also answers the age old question, can a dragon break wind and not burn up?

Rob Hudson
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Dr. John Dolittle lives in solitude behind the high walls of his lush manor in 19th-century England. His only companionship comes from an array of exotic animals that he speaks to on a daily basis. But when young Queen Victoria becomes gravely ill, the eccentric doctor and his furry friends embark on an epic adventure to a mythical island to find the cure.

Dolittle hits Australian cinemas January 16!

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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 (Dunkirk’s Harry Collett) 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 Kumail Nanjiani) 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 also stars Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen (The Queen) and Oscar® winner Jim Broadbent and features additional voice performances from Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard, Frances de la Tour, Carmen Ejogo, Ralph Fiennes, Selena Gomez, Tom Holland, and Craig Robinson.

Directed by Academy Award® winner Stephen Gaghan (Syriana, Traffic), Dolittle is produced by Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum under their Roth/Kirschenbaum Films (Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent) and Susan Downey (Sherlock Holmes franchise, The Judge) for Team Downey. The film is executive produced by Robert Downey Jr., Sarah Bradshaw (The Mummy, Maleficent) and Zachary Roth (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil).
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Recently separated from her husband, (Michael Sheen), Alice decides to start over by moving back to her hometown of Los Angeles with her two young daughters. During a night out on her 40th birthday, Alice meets three aspiring filmmakers who happen to be in need of a place to live.

Alice agrees to let the guys stay in her guest house temporarily, but the arrangement ends up unfolding in unexpected ways. Alice’s unlikely new family and new romance comes to a crashing halt when her ex-husband shows up, suitcase in hand. HOME AGAIN is a story of love, friendship, and the families we create. And one very big life lesson: Starting over is not for beginners.

Directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer and starring Reese Witherspoon, Michael Sheen, Candice Bergen and Lake Bell – Home Again is IN CINEMAS OCTOBER 19.
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Competition will be drawn 17 October 2017, winners will be notified by mail.