Fierce Creatures (1997)

Neither sequel nor equal to A FISH CALLED WANDA, this zoo-keeping 
British comedy reunites the original cast-- and a portion of the 
original production crew-- with looser, if not downright lazier 
results.  The timing isn't as sharp, the pace isn't as brisk, and 
the four characters aren't nearly as tight together as an ensemble.  
Both Michael Palin and Jamie Lee Curtis are wasted, but, hey, that 
leaves the door wide open for John Cleese and Kevin Kline to steal 
the show.  And they do.  Kline actually plays two roles, including 
his character's father.  His younger self is a slightly sillier 
variation on Otto, his Oscar-winning WANDA role.  Cleese treads 
equally familiar ground with an update of his "Fawlty Towers" 
television character.  His script (co-written with Iain Johnstone) 
rehashes several better-known Basil bits, which, for the newcomer, 
should have them in stitches.  The seasoned hotel guest, however, 
may react with less than total hilarity.  Sorry, sorry, sorry.  
(Rated "PG-13"/93 min.)

Grade: B-

Copyright 1997 by Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies in MOVIE HELL: January 26, 1997