Zookeeper: movie review

In 'Zookeeper,' the animals break their code of silence to help their caretaker with his love life, but the script is so unfunny and uninspired, you wish they hadn't.

Kevin James (r.) and Jackie Sandler are shown in a scene from the new film 'Zookeeper.'

Columbia Pictures-Sony/AP

By Peter Rainer, Film critic

July 8, 2011

The great film director John Huston was once asked what he would wish for if he had only one wish. He replied that he’d like to get together with all the animals he had ever known and loved in his life and have a conversation with them.

If Huston were alive today and saw “Zookeeper,” he might have second thoughts. He might also, to his credit, walk out on this numbingly inane comedy. I, dear reader, had to stick it out.

Kevin James plays Griffin, a Boston zookeeper jilted by his golden girl fiancée, who discovers that the animals in his care are capable of talking to him. What they say, however, is so unfunny and uninspired that you kind of wish they would just shut up. This goes double for the humans. How is it possible that a movie with five credited screenwriters can have such a nothing script? As long as we’re on the subject of animals, I think there should be a subdivision of the ASPCA -- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Audiences. Grade: D (Rated PG for some rude and suggestive humor, and language.)