`DR. DOLITTLE' TICKLES FUNNY BONE WITH GAGGLE OF TALKING CRITTERS.

Byline: Glenn Whipp Daily News Film Critic

Eddie Murphy does, indeed, talk to the animals in the newly updated version of ``Dr. Dolittle.'' It would be nice, though, if this frequently funny film would also occasionally speak to its audience above the level of, say, an 8-year-old. As it stands, ``Dr. Dolittle'' will appeal mostly to kids and soft-hearted animal lovers who will enjoy the film's entertaining and often sympathetic stable of chattering critters.

With its computer-generated effects that bring the animals and their verbal skills to life, the movie undoubtedly will remind many of that porcine classic, ``Babe.'' ``Dr. Dolittle'' certainly can match that movie laugh for laugh, but director Betty Thomas (``The Brady Bunch Movie,'' ``Private Parts'') is unable to wring any poignancy from the pedestrian script. What we're left with is cute animals and sight gags involving pigeon poop.

Not that there's anything wrong with that - up to a point. This remake is vastly superior to the 1967 musical, a movie so bad it almost bankrupted 20th Century Fox. There are no sappy songs here - just a cute little guinea pig (voiced by Chris Rock) who does a mean version of Bob Dylan's ``Blowin' in the Wind.'' Murphy's doctor is much more engaging than Rex Harrison's M.D., although in fairness to Harrison, he did try to escape the project when he realized just how bad it was going to be.

This ``Dolittle'' never sinks to that level, mostly because it never aspires to be anything more than a funny movie for kids.

When we first meet Dolittle, he's a young boy conversing with the family dog. His father (Ossie Davis) thinks that's a little odd, particularly after the little Dolittle greets his new school principal by sniffing his butt. Following that episode, Dad sends the pooch away and the child comes to believe that he should keep his unique gift to himself.

Flash forward 30 years and Dolittle is a family man with a wife and two daughters (who would have thought we'd ever buy Eddie Murphy as a patriarch?) and a thriving medical practice. Then one day, he starts hearing those voices again. And they're not inside his head - the cacophony of conversation is coming from the family guinea pig, stray dogs he sees on the street and mice in garbage cans. He can understand every word and, just as significantly, they can understand him. Dr. Dolittle soon becomes a magnet for every creature in need.

The film's premise - a man who dismisses animals as a nuisance suddenly can't stop hearing what they have to say - works well and creates many funny situations. The animals and computer effects blend to produce some memorable characters, including a wisecracking stray terrier and a monkey whose beverage of choice is Jack Daniel's. The vocal talent is uniformly good, too, including performances by Norm MacDonald, Albert Brooks, Garry Shandling and the aforementioned Rock.

Unfortunately, the movie never goes beyond its premise. Would-be heartfelt moments involving a sick circus tiger, a stay by Dolittle in a mental hospital and some father-daughter bonding all fall rather flat. And although the movie runs for less than 90 minutes, its novelty begins to flag after about an hour. It's at this point that a decent script would have come in handy.

Still, in a time where the nation's favorite television character is a taco-loving Chihuahua, there's bound to be an audience who just wants to listen to the animals - even if they don't have much of anything original to say.

THE FACTS

The film: ``Dr. Dolittle'' (PG-13; crude humor and language).

The stars: Eddie Murphy and the animals.

Behind the scenes: Directed by Betty Thomas. Written by Nat Mauldin and Larry Levin. Released by 20th Century Fox.

Running time: One hour, 25 minutes.

Playing: Citywide.

Our rating: Two and One Half Stars.

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Photo

Photo: Eddie Murphy discovers a latent talent for communicating with animals in the title role of ``Dr. Dolittle.''