Dolittle Is Now Available On Home Video

(from left) Dr. John Dolittle (Robert Downey Jr.) and parrot Polynesia (Emma Thompson) in "Dolittle," directed by Stephen Gaghan.

Dolittle, the latest incarnation of everybody’s favorite doctor to talk to pets, is now available for audiences to purchase on Digital/VOD.

Hugh Lofting published 14 books about Dr. Dolittle between 1920-1952.  There have been a few feature films about the character but Dolittle is based on the 1922 book, The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle.  Robert Downey Jr. leads the star-studded cast as the famous doctor who can understand and talk to animals.  For all of his eccentric quirks this version is nowhere near the comedic one we saw in the Eddie Murphy movies.

When we first meet him, he’s been living like a hermit at Dolittle Manor following the tragic death of wife Lily (Kasia Smutniak) at sea.  He’s the veterinarian of Queen Victoria’s (Jessie Buckley) England but when she falls ill, he has no choice but set to sea in order to find a cure.  If she dies, he loses his house!

Dolittle is joined on this journey by his new apprentice Stubbins (Harry Collett), gorilla Chee-Chee (Rami Malek), duck Dab-Dab (Octavia Spencer), ostrich Plimpton (Kumail Nanjiani), polar Bear Yoshi (John Cena), and trusted parrot Polynesia (Emma Thompson).

BONUS FEATURES ON 4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY, DVD AND DIGITAL:

  • TALK TO THE ANIMALS – Dolittle is surrounded by a motley cast of characters. Take a peek at all the fun the cast had giving each of the animals their unique voice.
  • ROBERT DOWNEY JR. & HARRY: MENTOR AND MENTEE – Acting opposite a legendary actor like Robert Downey Jr. can be an intimidating experience, but Harry Collett handled it like a pro. See the unique bond the two actors formed on-set, and how Downey took the film’s young co-star under his wing.
  • BECOMING THE GOOD DOCTOR – See the process of how this team of talented artists brought this film to life, and how Robert Downey Jr. transformed into the iconic Dolittle.
  • ANTONIO BANDERAS: PIRATE KING – Antonio Banderas discusses what attracted him to the project, his experiences working with Robert Downey Jr., and what he brought to the role of King Rassouli.
  • THE WICKED DR. MÜDFLY – Who is the nefarious villain Dr. Blair Müdfly? Michael Sheen dives into his character’s motivations for being Dolittle‘s foil.
  • A MOST UNUSUAL HOUSE – It takes a special home to accommodate humans and animals alike. Explore the unique rooms and modifications that allow Dolittle to house anyone or anything – big or small.

DIRECTOR:  Stephen Gaghan
SCREENWRITERS:  Stephen Gaghan and Dan Gregor & Doug Mand
CAST:  Robert Downey Jr., Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, Harry Collett, Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, John Cena, Kumail Nanjiani, Octavia Spencer, Tom Holland, Ralph Fiennes, Selena Gomez, Marion Cotillard, Jim Broadbent, Jessie Buckley, Frances de la Tour, Carmel Laniado, Jason Mantzoukas, Craig Robinson, Kasia Smutniak

Universal Pictures opened Dolittle in theaters on January 17, 2020. The film is now available on Digital/VOD with a 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray/DVD release coming on April 7, 2020. Grade: /5

Danielle Solzman

Danielle Solzman is native of Louisville, KY, and holds a BA in Public Relations from Northern Kentucky University and a MA in Media Communications from Webster University. She roots for her beloved Kentucky Wildcats, St. Louis Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, and Boston Celtics. Living less than a mile away from Wrigley Field in Chicago, she is an active reader (sports/entertainment/history/biographies/select fiction) and involved with the Chicago improv scene. She also sees many movies and reviews them. She has previously written for Redbird Rants, Wildcat Blue Nation, and Hidden Remote/Flicksided. From April 2016 through May 2017, her film reviews can be found on Creators.