Zookeeper

MPAA Rating: PG

Entertainment: +1

Content: +1

Directed by Frank Coraci. Main Actors: Kevin James, Rosario Dawson, Leslie Bibb; voices of Alan Sandler, Cher, Nick Nolte, Sylvester Stallone.

FILM SYNOPSIS: Griffin (Kevin James), a zookeeper, loves the animals and his girlfriend Stephanie (Leslie Bibb), in that order. When Stephanie refuses to marry him because of his being a zookeeper, lovesick Griffin is comforted by the animals and discovers that after hours, the animals talk. These friends coach him on how to win back Stephanie in ways that will insure failure and their best friend’s remaining at the zoo. The whole plot is so silly, the humans so dumb and shallow, it’s painful to watch. The animals include a gorilla (Nick Nolte), a monkey (Adam Sandler), and lions (Cher and Sylvester Stallone).

PREVIEW REVIEW: Sadly, the animals outshine the humans, showing some intelligence, humanity and likability. Griffin acts like a 30 year-old going on 12, lacking any sense of worthiness. The gorilla becomes his best friend when Griffin sneaks him out of his lonely cave to celebrate the gorilla’s birthday at TGIFriday’s. The wolf (voice of Bas Rutten) advises the zookeeper that he must become an alpha dog by marking his territory to win back Stephanie. So of course Griffin does just that by relieving himself in the midst of his brother’s wedding rehearsal party. Griffin challenges Stephanie’s new boyfriend, predictably leading to a fight. The one human with an ounce of character is Kate (Rosario Dawson), the zoo veterinarian.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor:
Columbia Pictures

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: None

Obscene Language: None

Profanity: A few exclamatory omg’s

Violence: Slapstick, painful falls, animal attacks

Sex: None

Nudity: None

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: None

Drugs: Social drinking

Other: Crude display of public urination by man taking animal’s advice to mark his territory; monkey makes poop his favorite topic of humor; suggestive sexual comments

Running Time: 104 minutes
Intended Audience: Families


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