Fierce Creatures

views updated

Fierce Creatures ★★ 1996 (PG-13)

This notreallyasequel features the same cast as “A Fish Called Wanda” and was jokingly known as “Death Fish II” until a more appropriate title was thought of. A failing London zoo gets a new lease on life, and officious new manager Rollo Lee (Cleese) by stocking only maneating predators. This plan has kindly, insect house manager Bugsy (Palin) tonguetied at the thought of destroying the zoo's cuddly current occupants. Kline is again in fine form with his dastardly dual role of zoo's Aussie owner Rod McCain and his idiot son, Vince. Curtis displays her obvious talents as Willa Weston, Vince's more sympathetic partner. Despite inspired moments, flick's not as tightly told or as wickedly funny as “Fish,” (an admittedly tough act to follow). A familyfriendlier attitude has effectively declawed this “Creature.” Many scenes were reshot after unfavorable advance screenings, necessitating a new director and the recall of the actors from far and wide. 93m/C VHS, DVD . John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin, Ronnie Corbett, Robert Lindsay, Carey Lowell, Bille Brown, Derek Griffiths, Cynthia Cleese; D: Robert M. Young, Fred Schepisi; W: John Cleese, Iain Johnstone; C: Adrian Biddle, Ian Baker; M: Jerry Goldsmith.