Bernie the Gorilla and Kevin James in "Zookeeper"
photo courtesy of Sony Pictures

“Zookeeper” (Sony Pictures)
Kevin James Tries Hard

Kevin James is the star of “Zookeeper” and the only reason to go see the film. He gives it his all, especially in the physical aspects of the role. Still this ends up being a movie only the most diehard Kevin James fans will love; all else will grow tired of the stale plot and the lackluster supporting roles.

The movie opens with Griffin Keyes (James) and his girlfriend Stephanie (Leslie Bibb) riding a horse on the beach. She spies a bottle in the sand and goes over and picks it up. Inside is a note asking her to marry Griffin. She says no because he is only a lowly zookeeper and she wants someone more ambitious.

Five years later Griffin is still at the zoo and Stephanie is out of his life. But then she shows up with a new boyfriend in tow. His name is Gale (Joe Rogan) and Griffin thinks he is a real loser. Now he is resigned to the fact that to get Stephanie back he will have to leave the zoo. This panics the animals and in order to try to keep him on his job, they let him in on the fact they can talk. This talking animal thing is the main joke of the movie.

James is endearing as Griffin but this isn’t his best role. He interacts with the animals better than he does the humans who are in the movie. Rosario Dawson plays his co-worker, and potential love interest, at the zoo. She has very few scenes with James and their chemistry does not have a chance to be explored.

Ken Jeong pops up as a worker with reptiles at the zoo. His name is Venom. It seems every other movie out of Hollywood these days has to have Jeong in it whether he is a good fit for the assigned role or not. In this movie he is just creepy.

As Stephanie, Bibb is not likeable in the least. Maybe it is just good acting combined with the way the role is written. In any event the audience does not warm to her at all and is uncomfortable during all her scenes.

James’ best moments are when he is sharing adventures with the gorilla at the zoo. Nick Nolte voices Bernie the gorilla and creates a loveable character that is basically a beast. When Griffin and Bernie go out for a night on the town the movie reaches its highest point of entertainment.

The movie is rated PG for mild profanity.

Kids will get some enjoyment out of the movie as will devoted Kevin James fans. All others will wish the movie had been better written and better executed. Maybe if the film has just been devoted to Griffin and his animals the film would have been more entertaining.

I scored “Zookeeper” a caged 5 out of 10.