Quartile rating: 5.5/10 · 1 rating
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?
Zookeeper is a formulaic talking-animal comedy that hits every predictable rom-com beat without surprise. The plot is entirely by-the-numbers: lovable loser chases wrong girl, gets animal-world advice, discovers the right girl was there all along. Kevin James is likable but the material doesn't challenge him or the supporting cast. Cinematography is functional and unremarkable television-level work. Novelty is low — the talking-animal conceit was already well-worn by 2011, and the film brings nothing distinctive to it. The ending resolves exactly as expected with no earned emotional payoff. A middling, forgettable family comedy across the board.