Not all films are going to be great cinematic experiences. Sometimes, you just come up with a decent story and have some fun with it. That’s what I got from “Zookeeper”. I hate to say it, but keep your expectations of this film low and you’ll really enjoy it. There really isn’t anything all that awful about the movie. Isn’t that refreshing to hear?
“Zookeeper” follows the misadventures of Griffin played by Kevin James. I really liked Kevin in “Hitch”, but since then I don’t think there’s been anything all that great about the work he’s done. (I recently saw “Grown Ups” and there was nothing there either.) In this story, James is playing a dedicated zookeeper that truly cares for his work and the animals, but his love life is in shambles. When the threat of Griffin leaving the zoo leaks to the animals, the animals decide to take matters into their own hands. It turns out the animals can talk! They try to patch together Griffin’s love life thinking this will keep him at the zoo.
The love life storyline is predictable, but the great part is: I didn’t care. Rosario Dawson turns up in this movie out of seemingly nowhere. I can’t remember the last thing I saw her in! Anyway, she is fantastic in this and I couldn’t help but think that maybe Rosario should try her hand at more romantic comedies. There’s something very down-to-earth about her and it plays well in this genre. Hello, Ms. Dawson, are you listening? Try it!
As for the talking animals, they could have been funnier. The voices of Cher, Sylvester Stallone, Adam Sandler, and Nick Nolte all help to create a colorful cast but they are ultimately underused. I kept hoping for something really gut-busting to happen with the animals. Don’t get me wrong there are some good moments! I guess I was just hoping for a little more. All in all though, “Zookeeper” kept me entertained and chuckling through most of the film. It’s nothing to go crazy for, but if you need a little no-brainer brand of movie for a chuckle then this could be the film for you!
Predictable love story, some funny scenes with talking animals, charming actors in the leads, and a easy to watch story make “Zookeeper” worth the time. Enjoy!
…and that’s it for this edition of THE REEL VOICE.
The Reel Voice 