IT'S HARD to imagine the irrepressible Eddie Murphy taking anything other than centre stage - his verbose, fast-talking style simply refuses to play second fiddle.

In Dr Dolittle 2, however, there is little room for his trademark comical remarks and, scene-stealing antics as he takes a back seat to the real stars of the picture - the talking animals.

These furry and sometimes not-so-furry creatures could teach even Murphy a thing or two about loquacity.

In this sequel, Murphy is once again the

Dr Dolittle whose ability to talk to animals built his renown. When a forest is

threatened by developers, the resident animals go to him for help.

If he is able to successfully introduce a lifelong circus bear with a penchant for singing and dancing to the wild, the forest will be saved from destruction.

Throughout the film, he must also contend with a neglected wife and complicated teenage daughter as extra obstacles are thrown in to add a sub-plot and domestic strand to a simple sequel idea.

There are perhaps one or two lines and deliveries that remind us of his vintage comedy but not enough to create a laugh-a-minute Murphy vehicle.

Instead, the onus is on the digitally animated animals to provide the humour, which they do, in varying degrees.

Archie, the annoying and unfunny

circus bear eventually becomes

endearing and somewhat amusing, while

a frustrated chameleon lacking the ability to blend into his surroundings keeps us all amused with his unyielding attempts to take on the appearance of household


Despite enjoyable moments, Dr Dolittle 2 is not as funny or as charming as the original.

If you take the kids to the cinema just once over the summer holidays, take them to

see Shrek in which Eddie Murphy displays

the sort of comic talent you thought he had laid to rest.