Dolittle

Robert Downey Jr. seems like a fine candidate to revive the Doctor Dolittle character for another cinematic go-around, although the cure for this turkey of a talking-animal movie eludes his grasp.

Downey’s appropriately quirky sensibilities only slightly boost this latest adaptation of the children’s books by British author Hugh Lofting — titled simply Dolittle — although this effects-driven adventure again fails to bring the written material to life.

As the movie opens, the title character is living as a recluse in his rural manor, still grieving the death of his beloved wife while his exotic pets — with whom he has the magic ability to communicate — keep up the house.

He’s coaxed out of his delirium by a summons from the ailing queen (Jessie Buckley), whose family he formerly treated. She’s in desperate need of a rare cure that sends the doctor on a perilous mission halfway around the world, accompanied by an eager teenage adventurer (Harry Collett) and bickering critters such as a gorilla, an ostrich, a polar bear, and a parrot. Their seafaring voyage is complicated by a sinister rival (Michael Sheen) who’s in constant pursuit.

Dolittle continues the unfortunate tradition of its character’s big-screen escapades, from the ponderous 1967 musical starring Rex Harrison to the low-brow comedies headlined by Eddie Murphy in the late 1990s.

As directed by Stephen Gaghan (Syriana), this version is not consistently charming nor amusing, instead relying on its uneven human story of redemption coupled with obligatory hijinks featuring a whole zoo’s worth of anthropomorphic species.

Downey too often is shoved aside in favor of his furry or feathered counterparts, likely to appease a target demographic that might best appreciate the broad slapstick and eccentric animal antics, along with the easily digestible lessons about courage, resilience and teamwork.

The film’s array of lifelike computer-animated creatures is impressive except for the awkward lip movements. The voice cast is peppered with recognizable names including Rami Malek, Emma Thompson, John Cena, Tom Holland, and Selena Gomez.

Plus, the attempt to make them wiser and wittier than their human co-stars feels strained. “Something smells wrong, and that’s coming from a guy who loves the smell of butts,” blurts out Dolittle’s bespectacled canine sidekick.

The visually ambitious big-budget project apparently was a troubled production, with reshoots and release delays among the red flags. Mostly, however, it’s the script that has gone to the dogs.

Rated PG, 101 minutes.