Zookeeper review: Talk about animal magic

By James O'brien

Last updated at 12:18 AM on 29th July 2011

Zookeeper: (PG)

Verdict: Slapstick animal charm

Rating:

Zookeeper Griffin Keyes (Kevin James) values job satisfaction and the animals that create it far more than he does material rewards.

This would not be a problem, were he not in love with beautiful bimbo Stephanie (Leslie Bibb), who values material rewards more than anything.

Kevin James stars in the Zookeeper with Jackie Sandler - and they share this scene with a huge gorilla

Five years after she blamed his lowly status for rejecting his proposal, Stephanie sashays back into still smitten Griffin’s life with the possibility of reviving romance — if he finds lucrative employment.

So far so romcom, especially given the presence of Kate (Rosario Dawson), a zoo colleague to whose beauty and obvious affection Griffin is apparently blind.

Yet there is nothing formulaic about what follows. Dismayed at their keeper’s woeful mating efforts, the animals decide to teach him their own — and reveal the ability to speak.

Thus a dizzying array of vocal talent — Sylvester Stallone as a misogynistic lion; Cher as his wise wife, to name but two — instruct Griffin in the arts of romance: dog, bear, monkey and lion-style.

The ensuing slapstick has more than a touch of the curate’s egg, but James’s deft comic touch ensures more hits than misses.

Unambitious it may be, but there is plenty of childish humour and, thanks to Dawson’s perfectly-judged performance, just enough story to satisfy grown-ups of a sentimental disposition.

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