Zookeeper

Talk to the Animals
Zookeeper, PG,***, Kevin James, Rosario Dawson, Leslie Bibb, Voices of Nick Nolte, Adam Sandler, Sylvester Stallone, Cher, and several others. Columbia film. Director Frank Coraci. Length 104 minutes.

My first memory of visiting a zoo was probably not exactly what most people remember. I remember watching this tiger pacing back and forth in a cage. As I thought about the tiger, it occurred to me that he could not be happy walking back in forth in a small cage. As time passed, it appears tigers, lions, and many other animals are on the endangered species list. So maybe it is best to keep them in a zoo. I know some people would never see the animals if it were not for a zoo. I just believe we should do what we can to assure that animals do not become extinct. The next generation deserves an opportunity to see these wonderful creatures.
I remember a college professor saying, “Students in Memphis living within a mile of the zoo had never been there to see the animals.” Plans were made to take them to the zoo.
In this movie, the zookeeper is Griffin (Kevin James.) He takes care of the animals, and treats them as they should be treated. The caretaker for the animals at the zoo is Kate (Rosario Dawson).
Griffin thinks he is in love with Stephanie (Leslie Bibb). He wants to marry her, but she believes in the American Dream of money. Griffin is happy doing what he does with the salary he makes. After all it is being happy with one’s job and life that is important.
The animals in the zoo understand what true happiness is. When they observe that Griffin is considering taking another job, and leaving them to be taken care of by someone else, they begin to talk.
Bernie the Gorilla (Nick Nolte) is a sad fellow, but he has a reason. He has been mistreated by another worker at the zoo. Griffin does not know about this.
Donald the Monkey (Adams Sandler) gives several speeches, Joe the Lion (Sylvester Stallone), Janet the Lioness (Cher) and several others deliver their advice, and it is obvious that it comes from the heart.
The focal point of the movie is accepting people and animals as they are. The movie is predictable and fun with a great message.
The physical humor could have been toned down, but overall it is a movie worth taking the youngsters to see.