TAKING THE CHILDREN; Then the Tiger Says To the Doctor . . .

By Suzanne O'Connor
Published: July 05, 1998

Dr. Dolittle

Eddie Murphy, Ossie Davis, Kristen Wilson and the voices of Norm Macdonald, Albert Brooks, Jenna Elfman

Directed by Betty Thomas

PG-13 90 minutes

Ms. Thomas's movie adapts the Hugh Lofting stories and the 1967 film with Rex Harrison. As a child, John Dolittle (Mr. Murphy) enjoyed the unusual talent of being able to talk with animals. Once he became a doctor, he suppressed his gift, but to his horror it resurfaces involuntarily after he nearly kills a dog with his car. Although his wife (Ms. Wilson) has him temporarily committed, an owl puts the word out among the animals of San Francisco that he can understand them and thus treat their illnesses and injuries. Performing death-defying surgery on an ailing circus tiger, the doctor comes to re-evaluate his ''weirdness'' and actually revel in it.

VIOLENCE: Except for the near-miss with the dog, none.

SEX: None; the needy animals interrupt any attempt.

PROFANITY: Lots of bathroom humor involving coarse slang for body parts and functions.

For Which Children?

AGES 5-10: There is the language to consider, but despite the film's slow start, small children should take to the idea of communicating with animals.

AGES 11-14: They may find the idea corny, but the film may pleasantly surprise them. And they'll no doubt get the message: everyone has a difference of some sort that makes them special.

AGES 15 AND UP: They'll consider themselves too sophisticated for such fare, but Mr. Murphy's fans will find some laughs. SUZANNE O'CONNOR