asoapboxopera There are plenty of tie-ins, and of course, the cast remains relatively intact, but the film itself, despite its few good surprises, is tremendously predictable and contrived. This is not to say there aren't good jokes; there are. And almost all of them come from or are at the expense of Vince, played by the marvelously funny Kevin Kline. A pet peeve of mine (and that truly was not a pun) is poorly done vulgarity; this is not a glowing endorsement of all vulgarity, but if you do it, do it correctly. The moments between Rollo (John Cleese) and Willa (Wanda- I mean Jamie Lee Curtis) are even more forced than in A Fish Called Wanda, which was at least part deliberate. The disbelief felt by Vince was so spectacular and of course intentional, but the unbelievability of it remained unmitigated. The strange thing is it almost seems they have less chemistry here than they do in "Wanda". It really is fully half as fun as A Fish Called Wanda, though, and since that one was an 8/10, technically this would be 4/10, especially due to the contrived and predictable moments, both of plot and reaction thereto. But those fun parts really do shine, as do the good quotes, almost entirely written for Vince, and perfectly portrayed by Kevin Kline.

studioAT This film is an obvious cash in on the success of 'A Fish Named Wanda', using many of the same actors, playing very similar roles.Lightning however rarely strikes twice, and this is a film that never moves from being 'sort of funny' to 'actually funny'. Cleese seems, as he always has, incapable of playing a role that isn't Basil Fawlty, so now we get Basil Fawlty running a zoo. How funny. Not.Depressingly, there's actually some very funny people in this film (Kevin Kline, Robert Lindsay, Ronnie Corbett) but they are either not supported by the script, or given very little to do.Even Cleese himself said that this film was a mistake. How right he truly is.

FlashCallahan Corporate conglomerate, Octopus Inc, run by shrewd tycoon Rod McCain, purchases a UK-based leisure company, and the failing London Marwood Zoo.Octopus hires a new manager, Rollo Lee, who promptly comes up with a way to increase profits, do away with all the animals except for the ferocious ones.This new Policy shocks zookeepers, led by unendingly talkative Adrian "Bugsy" Malone.Eventually, McCain's son Vince, along with business executive Willa Weston, take control of the zoo and revoke the Policy.Vince instead comes up with many schemes to attract customers-unauthorised celebrity endorsements, shoddy, overpriced zoo merchandise, and using robotic animals.Vince is also stealing from the zoo's funds, and when his father finds out, he rears to turn the zoo into a Japanese-owned golf course.But Willa has grown to love the zoo, and, along with her newly-reformed love interest Rollo, plot with the zookeepers to save the zoo from the McCains...The say lightning never strikes twice, and even though this movie has some very funny moments, it isn't a patch on A Fish Called Wanda. And the trouble is that the majority of the cast literally look like they are trying too hard.Kline is annoying in this (in both roles) and Cleese just looks a little bewildered. Palin is good, but again, over hamming it, and Curtis has the look on her as if to say, i'm the most famous one here.So thank heavens for the rest of the cast, they are truly hilarious and bring the film to life. If the film had been a little more scathing in it's humour, rather than cuddly, then it could have been a winner.it appears that it's trying to be too safe for it's own good, as if it wanted to appeal to a wider audience.Instead, it starts, charms a little with it's innuendo, and then goes, like a sweet great aunt.

bkoganbing If Fierce Creatures does not make you appreciate the number of people who volunteer to care for the exotic animals in today's zoos who were never asked if they wanted to leave their habitat to be on exhibit than I don't know what will. Even worse the thought of privatizing zoos to someone who is a philistine like the father that Kevin Kline plays.Kline plays the Rupert Murdoch like father who heads an international conglomerate and he also plays his wastrel and oafish son as well.Father Kline introduces what he thinks is a new policy, the zoo will only exhibit the most dangerous and Fierce Creatures to give the public thrills and chills. Obviously this lugnut has never heard of petting zoos. He sends new director John Cleese and Jamie Lee Curtis to run the place. Soon though they are on the side of the staff, but still have to make the zoo be a money maker to satisfy the boss.A lot of the humor in Fierce Creatures involves the various crazy marketing techniques designed. Since along with Cleese a whole lot of the Monty Python alumni are in this film you know it is going to be zany.Lots of Monty Pythonesque type humor in Fierce Creatures and that's always good.