Summary
Kindhearted Griffin Keyes is one of the best-loved caretakers at the Franklin Park Zoo, but he's more comfortable with the animals than with females of his own species as proven by his failed marriage proposal to the self-absorbed Stephanie several years ago. The animals have listened to Griffin pine over her for years and, after she reappears in his life, they decide to help Griffin rekindle the relationship and become the alpha male she wants him to be. They inadvertently reveal their secret ability to talk and, after Griffin's initial shock, teach him the rules of courtship, animal-style. Surprisingly, the animals' advice really works and Griffin is about to get everything he's ever dreamed of--or is he?
Cast
Kevin James
Griffin Keyes
Rosario Dawson
Kate
Leslie Bibb
Stephanie
Joe Rogan
Gale
Nat Faxon
Dave
Ken Jeong
Venom
Steffiana De La Cruz
Robin
Thomas Gottschalk
Jurgen
Donnie Wahlberg
Shane
Brandon Keener
Nimer
Tom Woodruff Jr.
Bernie the Gorilla
Nick Bakay
Franky
Jackie Sandler
TGIF Waitress
Nicholas Turturro
Manny
Nick Nolte
Bernie the Gorilla (voice)
Adam Sandler
Donald the Monkey (voice)
Sylvester Stallone
Joe the Lion (voice)
Cher
Janet the Lioness (voice)
Judd Apatow
Barry the Elephant (voice)
Faizon Love
Bruce the Bear (voice)
Jon Favreau
Jerome the Bear (voice)
Maya Rudolph
Mollie the Giraffe (voice)
Bas Rutten
Sebastian the Wolf (voice)
Don Rickles
Frog (voice)
Jim Breuer
Crow (voice)
Richie Minervini
Ostrich (voice)
Katrina Begin
TGIF Secretary
Matthew R. Staley
Glenn
Gary Valentine
Pizza Guy
Tanner Blaze
Little Boy at Zoo
Tim Gage
Bike Guy
Gino Falsetto
Valet
Etienne Deneault
Acrobat
Robin Bakay
Rebecca
Michael Burton
Car Customer
Todd Zeile
High Roller
Mookie Barker
Grandfather
Tara Giordano-Dean
Shana
Daniel Guire
Salesman
Mark DellaGrotte
Salesman
Ellen Colton
Shane's Mother
Barry Bernardi
Cab Driver
Juston McKinney
Upscale Restaurant Manager
Garon Michael
Bernie the Gorilla
Dan Marshall
Zoo Visitor (uncredited)
Crystal the Monkey
Donald the Monkey (uncredited)
Bart the Bear II
Jerome the Bear
Crew
Director
Frank Coraci
Screenplay
Kevin James
Screenplay
Nick Bakay
Screenplay
Rock Reuben
Screenplay, Story
David Ronn
Screenplay, Story
Jay Scherick
Reviews
Wuchak
June 18, 2018
8
Fun, heartwarming dramedy with Kevin James, Rosario Dawson and… talking animals
RELEASED IN 2011 and directed by Frank Coraci, "Zookeeper" is a dramedy/fantasy/romance starring Kevin James as a (you guessed it) zookeeper in Boston who enlists the aid of the zoo’s animals in his attempt to win the affections of model Stephanie (Leslie Bibb) or, maybe, fellow zoo-worker Kate (Rosario Dawson).
This amusing and heartwarming movie succeeds where “Doctor Dolittle” (1998) barely gets by. It’s also more relevant to adults in light of the romantic shenanigans, albeit still family friendly. Everything hinges on whether or not the movie can pull off the animals as (talking) characters while keeping you invested in the drama. And it does, incredibly. I actually found myself caring about one of the animals in particular. As always, James makes for a likable every-guy protagonist. And Dawson is winsome.
THE FILM RUNS 1 hour, 42 minutes and was shot in Franklin Park Zoo & Boston, Massachusetts, as well as Central Park, Manhattan (for the bike race). WRITERS: Jay Scherick, David Ronn, Kevin James, etc.
GRADE: B+/A-
Media
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$80,000,000.00
Revenue:
$169,900,000.00
