Dolittle

In 'Dolittle,' Robert Downey Jr. stars as the eccentric Dr. John Dolittle, a famed physician and veterinarian in Victorian England. After the loss of his wife, Dolittle isolates himself behind the walls of his manor, with only exotic animals for company. But when Queen Victoria falls gravely ill, Dr. Dolittle is reluctantly called upon to find a cure. Setting sail on an epic adventure to a mythical island, he is joined by a young apprentice (Harry Collett) and his strange menagerie of animal friends, voiced by a star-studded cast including Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, and Tom Holland. Along the way, they encounter wondrous creatures and face a host of challenges, rediscovering courage and friendship in their quest.

The reception for 'Dolittle' has been largely negative from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 15% rating, with the consensus reading, 'Dolittle may be a hit with younger viewers, but they deserve better than a middling adventure scattered with a few moments of fun.' IMDb users rate it a 5.6/10, indicating a mix of displeasure and faint praise among audiences. Metacritic assigns it a score of 26/100, suggesting generally unfavorable reviews. The New York Times describes it as 'a fantasy misfire, weighed down by lifeless gags and a disjointed plot.' Varietal Review notes, 'Despite an enthusiastic performance by Robert Downey Jr., the film's lackluster CGI and uneven script squander its promising premise.' On the other hand, there are more positive takes as well. Common Sense Media highlights, 'Kids may enjoy the animal antics and colorful visuals.' And The Guardian mentions, 'Robert Downey Jr.'s charm is undeniable, even if it's not enough to save the film entirely.' Overall, 'Dolittle' has garnered a mixed yet generally unfavorable consensus from critics.