It's like Kevin James is Adam Sandler's fall guy. He's part of the Happy Madison team and generally takes on the roles that Adam Sandler finds a bit too close to call - the sort of over-the-top comedy fare that Will Ferrell would usually thrive in. Both are funny, likable guys. Sandler works the charm and angry scenes to perfection, while James licks the schtick and let's face it, Wayne Knight was right, fat guys doing superhuman fat guy things... funny! In Zookeeper, Kevin James stars as... a shy zookeeper that needs a little help with the ladies.
Zookeeper is like a mash-up of Night at the Museum and Paul Blart: Mall Cop. Zookeeper's antics and visual effects may not be as epic as Night at the Museum, but the premise of a somewhat magical romantic comedy adventure in a public attraction is consistent. Paul Blart: Mall Cop is the other active ingredient... taking a seemingly ordinary security management job and turning it on its head for a bit of fun with Paul Blart's title actor, guess who... Kevin James.
The big difference is that the animals can talk... after they break their silence to help a guy out. Now before you write it off as another one of those talking animal movies aimed at kids... know that this one's different. The zoo's animals can talk, well at least that's how it sounds with an animal voice cast including: Nick Nolte, Adam Sandler, Sylvester Stallone, Cher, Jon Favreau, Judd Apatow, Maya Rudolph and even Bas Rutten. The live-action talking animal idea is tired, but don't give up on Zookeeper before you hear them out.
These voice actors are respected and don't just sign onto anything... especially when it comes to talking animals. Add the likes of Rosario Dawson as the leading lady, with Leslie Bibb, Donnie Wahlberg, Joe Rogan and Ken Jeong into the mix and you've got a pretty potent comedy ensemble. Round the production off with Frank Coraci, longtime Sandler collaborator and director of The Wedding Singer, Click and The Waterboy and that paper will self-combust!
Oodles of credibility is one thing, but execution is another. Zookeeper isn't meant to be taken seriously. Just like Night at the Museum was part fantasy, so is Zookeeper. Visit your local zoo at night, talk to the animals, run experiments... talking animals don't exist. Just like we believed that a boney Tyrannosaurus Rex could be a dog, you've got to take Zookeeper with a big pinch of salt and let go of it for maximum enjoyment.
This is a light-hearted, fun, rollicking comedy adventure where anything goes. That's the magic, it's totally unpredictable and gives you license to laugh, be silly and feel like a kid for a while. Awaken the child within... give it an earful of that nostalgic Adam Sandler-type soundtrack. The talking animals, the slapstick stunt work from Kevin James and the zoo wooing all point towards one thing... a little something called fun.
It does take a little while to get into the groove, but once you've accepted the basic premise... the floodgates open and thankfully not in an Evan Almighty kind of way. The romantic interplay is hilarious as our head honcho learns a thing or two about love from his animal counterparts. James is perfectly likable and automatically makes you want to enjoy the film even if it's just for his sake - whether he's jamming guitar with a gorilla or flying around a dance floor like a swan.
The secret to enjoying Zookeeper is that you've got to let it wash over you. Don't fight the suspense of reality, don't question the talking animals and don't try to make sense of the plot. Just like Joe Dirt, it's the sort of light-hearted, immature whirlwind adventure feel good fun that asks for a little slack. Enjoy the set pieces like an amusement park, let Kevin James get a bit ridiculous in a Steve Irwin sort of way and let those laughs out! Zookeeper isn't a laugh-a-minute misadventure, it's there to tickle, amuse and playfully win your heart over. Roll with it!
The bottom line: Breezy.
