DOLITTLE (PG)

★★ ★★★

FOLLOWING the death of his adventurer wife (Kasia Smutniak), gifted veterinarian Dr John Dolittle (Robert Downey Jr, pictured) closes the doors to his animal hospital.

He becomes a recluse, surrounded by a menagerie of chums including bespectacled lurcher Jip (voiced by Tom Holland), macaw Polynesia (Dame Emma Thompson), gorilla Chee-Chee (Rami Malek), polar bear Yoshi ( John Cena) and ostrich Plimpton (Kumail Nanjiani).

The unexpected intrusion of a boy called Tommy Stubbins (Harry Collett) coincides with an urgent summons to Buckingham Palace. Queen Victoria ( Jessie Buckley) has been poisoned with a pernicious variety of nightshade and the only remedy is the fruit of the mythical Eden tree.

Dolittle and fledgling apprentice Tommy embark on a madcap mission to save the ailing monarch with jealous rival Dr Blair Mudfly (Michael Sheen) in hot pursuit.

Dolittle is a special effects-clogged odyssey inspired by Hugh Lofting’s 1922 book, which does little to engage viewers of any age.

■ Download/stream from June 1 and on DVD from June 15.