Review of Zookeeper (2011) by Rosie K — 16 Oct 2011

Thereâ(TM)s nothing wrong with being a zookeeper. However, there is something wrong with Kevin Jamesâ(TM) recent movie about a lovelorn zookeeper, who has to take advice from animals on romance. Zookeeper is a predictable, boring piece thatâ(TM)s little more than a rip-off of 50 First Dates, Dr. Dolittle, and Night at The Museum. Being that the movie was produced partially by Adam Sandler, and released via Sandlerâ(TM)s Happy Madison Productions, the sophomoric jokes and occasional sexual innuendo come as little surprise. For all the negatives that could be pointed out about Zookeeper, it can at least be said that it did have heart. And considering Sandlerâ(TM)s recent track record after Bedtime stories, itâ(TM)s nice to see him get back to something thatâ(TM)s at least semi-family friendly.

The one major problem with Zookeeper was the problem that plagues so many movies; suspension of disbelief. Griffin pines over Stephanie, his former love interest. He pines over her for five years after she rejected his marriage proposal. Most people in the real world would consider a subject like him to be deeply emotionally troubled. That instantly negates any ability of audiences to connect to Griffin. His reliance on the animals to make him a more attractive man makes him even less relatable. And it makes the story instantly unbelievable.

Another problem with the script is its predictability. Fast forward five years after Griffinâ(TM)s spurned marriage proposal and the storyâ(TM)s team of writers drop the answer of where the romance will go right into the laps of the audience. Thatâ(TM)s given right in the first scenes at the zoo. Though it wonâ(TM)t be revealed here, for those who have yet to see the movie.

If the predictability and the inability to suspend oneâ(TM)s disbelief arenâ(TM)t enough, the sophomoric jokes and occasional sexual innuendo add even more problems. Yes, Zookeeper received a PG rating. But scenes such as Griffinâ(TM)s âtraining sessionâ? with the bears, and with the wolf are moments that parents should be warned about. One of the bears makes a comment regarding the time he âbrought downâ? a female bear, and they start laughing. The wolf tells Griffin that he should mark his territory, to ward off other males. This obviously leads to a more than awkward moment, which wonâ(TM)t be revealed here. But it may be enough to make some parents uncomfortable.

Zookeeper is rife with problems. From the less than child friendly jokes and innuendo, to the very fact that itâ(TM)s anything but original, Zookeeper is anything but a keeper. The last time that Sandler did anything relatively close to family friendly, was 2008â(TM)s Bedtime Stories. After that, things took a turn for the worse. So itâ(TM)s nice to see Sandler get back to that, even if only momentarily. Zookeeper may not be entirely friendly, but it does make the attempt. And for that, itâ(TM)s worth at least one watch. And unless someone comes up with one âwildâ? script, chances are audiences wonâ(TM)t be seeing a Zookeeper 2 anytime soon.