Dr. Dolittle: Tail To The Chief parents guide

Dr. Dolittle: Tail To The Chief Parent Guide

Overall B

When the President of the United States (Peter Coyote) has an animal emergency, who's he gonna call? The Dolittle family, of course! But will the good doctor's daughter Maya (Kyla Platt), who has inherited the talent of being able to converse with critters, be enough to save the first family from a pet-gone-berserk and the country from a national calamity?

Violence B+
Sexual Content A
Profanity A-
Substance Use A-

Why is Dr. Dolittle: Tail To The Chief rated PG? The MPAA rated Dr. Dolittle: Tail To The Chief PG for brief mild language and some rude behavior.

Run Time: 85 minutes

Parent Movie Review

Maya Dolittle, (Kyla Pratt) isn’t your ordinary high school graduate. When it comes to veterinary studies, she has an unusual advantage; she’s inherited her father’s ability to talk to animals (as seen in the prequel movies Dr. Dolittle and Dr. Dolittle 2). However, conversing with creatures might come naturally, but getting them to listen is a whole other story.

When Maya’s application is rejected by the local university because of her low marks and even lower performance with a pack of baby animals (who were more interested in bodily functions than cooperating with her), she goes home embarrassed and disappointed. How can she use her talents to land herself an education when everything seems to be going wrong?

Luckily for the aspiring student, she’s not the only one having a rough week. The President of the United States (Peter Coyote) is also in hot water. A recent attempt to persuade an African Crown Prince (Kwesi Ameyaw) to sign a deal preserving a priceless sliver of rainforest backfired when the Chief upchucked on the dignitary’s lap—thanks to a mouthful of bad oysters.

Now, with only eight days to spare, the President decides to try a different tactic. All he needs to do to win over the Prince is win over the Prince’s precious daughter. And nothing works better at softening the heart of a little girl than letting her spend some quality time with an adorable puppy. The only flaw with his plan is that the White House only has one canine, and she’s recently forgotten everything she learned in obedience school.

In desperation, America turns to the ultimate in animal whispering accomplishments; the Dolittle family, and Maya jumps at the chance like a dog to a bone. No university is going to turn down a girl who has “saved the country” on her resume .

But averting a national disaster is easier said than done. Daisy, (voiced by Jennifer Coolidge) the “First Dog” is on a canine rampage, backed by her exotic friends who will use any weapon they can get their paws and claws on (including garbage and animal droppings). With time running out, Maya begins to wonder if this critter catastrophe may be more than even a Dolittle can handle.

For parents, the greatest concern will be the inclusion of some potty humor, mean-spirited antics and brief teenaged rebellion. Yet the film’s messages of resolving issues through communication and valuing family could still make Dr. Dolittle: Tail To The Chief a recommendable prescription.

Starring Kyla Pratt, Peter Coyote, Kwesi Ameyaw.. Running time: 85 minutes. Updated

Dr. Dolittle: Tail To The Chief
Rating & Content Info

Why is Dr. Dolittle: Tail To The Chief rated PG? Dr. Dolittle: Tail To The Chief is rated PG by the MPAA for brief mild language and some rude behavior.

Although careful to keep an upbeat and family friendly message, this film is still speckled with some inappropriate humor. Animals of all shapes and sizes are seen chucking eggs, tomatoes, and even insects at unsuspecting humans. Their artillery also includes bird droppings, flatulence and buckets of moldering food. An out-of-control canine is shown relieving itself on a man’s foot, tearing up furniture, smashing ceramics and sneezing mucus onto defenseless pant legs. Among the humans, a rebellious teenager sneaks away to a late night party, but only stays a few minutes and later mends her ways. Some mild name-calling and teasing also takes place, but is later resolved in friendship. Also of note are some low cut dresses at a formal dinner.

Page last updated

Dr. Dolittle: Tail To The Chief Parents' Guide

Why does Maya choose to stay and try to help Daisy instead of giving up and going home? Do we ever have to make similar decisions in our own lives?

What does Maya tell Courtney that helps her strengthen her relationship with her father? Why is it important to accept who we are, even when it’s not always what we want to be?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Dr. Dolittle: Tail To The Chief movie is March 4, 2008. Here are some details…

Releasing directly to DVD, Dr. Dolittle: Tail To The Chief comes with the following menagerie of special features: Critter Casting Session, Working With Actors of a Different Breed, Goin’ Wild at Mountain View and Learning About Endangered Animals. Audio tracks are available in Dolby Surround 5.1 (English), with subtitles in English and Spanish.

Related home video titles:

Maya’s family also save the day in the movies Dr. Dolittle and Dr. Dolittle 2 (both starring Eddy Murphy). Based on the same novel by Hugh Lofting is the 1967 version of Doctor Dolittle, where Rex Harrison plays the title character. Another veterinarian plays an important role in Garfield: The Movie.