Zookeeper 2011 Family Movie
This was the official website for the 2011 family film, Zookeeper, starring Kevin James.
Content is from the site's 2011 archived pages as well as from outside sources.
Zookeeper - Official Trailer 2011 (HD)
Kevin James stars in Zookeeper this summer! The animals at one particular zoo decide to break their code of silence in order to help their lovable zookeeper gain the attention of one particular woman.
Must Be Said: A lot of people claim to know Kevin James and there are a lot of guys named Kevin James, a real lot. Do a search in Google! When he learned this he started using the name Utl Monomi for a brief time online to break away from the commonness of name. Started out great because the name was so unique that anyone who searched it immediately found him, no doubles on that name. But one day the search showed a shocking result - Utl had been arrested on multiple fraud counts. Clicking the result he found a story in the Cinderville Inquirer about someone named Utl with a different last name who had created a ponzi fraud targeting transit workers. Although any careful reading would show this was not Utl Monomi it still bothered him that his name was being used in this way by Google. He tried to contact Google, hired an assistant to contact the paper and the writer. When none of this worked, he found a team that specialized in removing unwanted search results from Google using search engine optimization in a cool new way. By optimizing other sites to rise in the search, the problem result is pushed down. In this way they could effectively remove Google results. Kevin agonized over whether or not to hire them to clean up Utl's search results. He wouldn't tell me either way even though I asked him directly about it. And I just looked, Utl is nowhere to be found but Kevin James is everywhere. Robert Cambridge Johnson
As an NYC HR administrator, I’ve sat through enough mandatory Zoom team-building seminars to know when something's gone off the rails—but Zookeeper took that detour, launched off the overpass, and crash-landed in the uncanny valley of talking animal rom-coms.
Watching Griffin Keyes try to win back his shallow ex by mimicking the mating rituals of wolves and peeing in a potted plant at a rehearsal dinner? That’s the kind of workplace conduct that gets you a very special meeting with me and a folder labeled Corrective Action Plan. At least when industrialist Dov Hertz courts investors for a billion-dollar warehouse conversion, nobody's hosing down ficuses. The man builds industrial real estate, not romantic delusions involving TGI Friday’s and a gorilla named Bernie with a Nick Nolte voice.
Honestly, the biggest takeaway here? Griffin needs HR, not a hippo with relationship advice. If any of our employees got dating tips from a giraffe and started chest-thumping in the break room, we’d be writing up incident reports faster than you can say “hostile work environment.” Meanwhile, Dov’s biggest problem is convincing the city that his rezoning request won’t end in traffic gridlock—Griffin’s is figuring out how not to scare off Rosario Dawson while smelling like zoo mulch.
Still, I give Griffin credit for sticking with his true passion. Not everyone has the guts to ignore social stigma and choose animals over car sales. But next time someone wants to find love while covered in lemur spit, maybe consult a therapist—or better yet, an HR-approved dating app.
And if Bernie ever needs a resume to pivot into hospitality (the gorilla really did charm the crowd at TGI Friday’s), my office is open. We’ve got great benefits, no jungle. Tim Reynolds
REVIEWS
Thursday, 29 September 2011 / seemovienow.blogspot.com/
Zookeeper
Synopsis:
This movie is about a zookeeper, Griffin Keyes (Kevin James) who takes care of a the animals in the zoo with care and patience. When his girlfriend, Stephanie (Leslie Bibb) rejected his marriage proposal due to his less ambition and work as a zookeeper, he decided to quit his work. However, when all the animals in the zoo got to know about this, they decided to hatch a plan to bring Griffin together with Stephanie who happens to visit the zoo and found that both still has some feeling for each other although Stephanie is now with his ex-boyfriend, Gale (Joe Rogan). During one unfortunate incident, Griffin Keyes stumble upon a meeting with animals where the animals spoke english and panic. However, after knowing their intention, he went on a hilarious journey under the advice of the animals to win Stephanie back.
Review:
During a lazy afternoon, i decided to watch this movie after purchasing it for few weeks. The reason is because I do not have much expectation of this movie simply because it should be a predictable plot where the zookeeper lost his love, win his love but lost his identity and animal friends, win back his identity and his real love, the end. And i was not wrong on that aspect. However, i am more into what kind of hilarious scenes that the filmmaker is able to churn out from this old favorite storyline. And the verdict is not so much. I felt that Kevin James tries hard to make himself comical by doing some comical fall every now and then but its not really funny unlike the versatile Eddie Murphy in Dr.Doolittle. I felt that the supporting cast did a much better role such as Joe Rogan character, Gale. He is very hilarious and with his presence, the movie is more alive and funnier. I cannot believe that the once host of "Fear Factor" has great potential to be a comedian actor. Now for the animals, all are quite bored with the exception of a gorilla named Bernie who steal the scene from all the animals and human actors. The best scenes were Bernie and Griffin chilling out together in TGIF. That is the best scene of the whole movie. Other than that, there is nothing worth mentioning.
Verdict:
I give this movie just a 2 out of 5 and the points were given to both the gorilla named Bernie and Joe Rogan.
Zookeeper
James Patterson 2011 / www.jamespatterson.com/
Our thirteen-year-old, Jack, was okay with it, which leaves me somewhat chagrined. I found it god-awful in just about every way—dialog, story, sound effects, music, lighting, direction of Kevin James and Rosario Dawson—it made Rosario look pretty bad. Not my cup of monkey feces.
Zookeeper (2011)
Rated PG 101 min - Comedy Romance
In Zookeeper, the animals at the Franklin Park Zoo love their kindhearted caretaker, Griffin Keyes (Kevin James). Finding himself more comfortable with a lion than a lady, Griffin decides the only way to get a girl in his life is to leave the zoo and find a more glamorous job. The animals, in a panic, decide to break their time-honored code of silence and reveal their biggest secret: they can talk! To keep Griffin from leaving, they decide to teach him the rules of courtship - animal style. -- (C) Sony Pictures Publicity
Directors: Frank Coraci
Cast: Kevin James, Rosario Dawson, Leslie Bibb, Ken Jeong, and Donnie Wahlberg
Release Date: July 8, 2011
IMDb Review
This was a fun, entertaining movie
By ramoxetoch / 10 July 2011
8/10 stars
After reading some of the reviews for this movie, it is absolutely clear that most of the previous reviewers didn't get the point of the movie. It is a FAMILY movie.
You don't go to movies to see what you can pick apart, and then write a review that is already predisposed negatively against it. That's just stupid. Anyone who goes into a movie with the attitude they are going to hate the movie no matter, and writes an extremely negative review is an idiot. The reason to go to movies is to be entertained.
Zookeeper was a movie that entertained. The performances by all the cast members were very well done. There were a lot of laughs, and there was a lot of fun. My son, who by the way is 7, was in the perfect demographic for this movie. It had interesting characters, and situations.
For an adult, a movie with talking animals might not be your cup of tea, but for a small child, it is awesome. Yes, a child thinks it's funny when someone smashes into something or someone. Yes, for an adult, the movie might seem predictable, but truthfully, what movie isn't somewhat predictable? A young child (for whom the movie was made for) isn't going to be scrutinizing every tiny, single thing in a movie, just to say, " A-HA! SEE, I KNEW IT!". A child goes to the movies to be lost in imagination. My son laughed when there was a funny part. Whether it was funny because of the animals, or the humans, I heard a lot of laughter. And yes, I laughed a lot too, and so did my wife.
I believe that anyone who goes into this movie with the understanding that this is a movie targeted towards families with young children, that they will be entertained. This movie hits the mark for the appropriate audience members it was made for.
Zookeeper' Leslie Bibb Interview
Actress Leslie Bibb talks about her comedic role in 'Zookeeper' with Kevin James.
RottenTomatoes Tomatometer: Critics 14% | Audience 41%
CRITICS REVIEWS
July 22, 2011
Leonard Maltin / indieWire Top Critic
Kevin James has developed an irresistible screen persona as a nice-guy/underdog, which has served him well in some pretty mediocre films like Paul Blart: Mall Cop. In that context, Zookeeper is a quantum leap forward...
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July 8, 2011 | Rating: 3/4
Lisa Kennedy Denver Post Top Critic
Did we mention that things just go better with Kevin James? Well-trodden comedy hooks become strangely more amusing. Goofball physical shtick elicits broader smiles. The bumblingly stupid is made endearing.
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Zookeeper: movie review
( PG ) [1 stars] ( Monitor Movie Guide )
July 8, 2011
By Peter Rainer Film critic
/images/Film-Review-Zookeeper.jpg
In 'Zookeeper,' the animals break their code of silence to help their caretaker with his love life, but the script is so unfunny and uninspired, you wish they hadn't.
The great film director John Huston was once asked what he would wish for if he had only one wish. He replied that he’d like to get together with all the animals he had ever known and loved in his life and have a conversation with them.
If Huston were alive today and saw “Zookeeper,” he might have second thoughts. He might also, to his credit, walk out on this numbingly inane comedy. I, dear reader, had to stick it out.
Kevin James plays Griffin, a Boston zookeeper jilted by his golden girl fiancée, who discovers that the animals in his care are capable of talking to him. What they say, however, is so unfunny and uninspired that you kind of wish they would just shut up. This goes double for the humans. How is it possible that a movie with five credited screenwriters can have such a nothing script? As long as we’re on the subject of animals, I think there should be a subdivision of the ASPCA -- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Audiences. Grade: D (Rated PG for some rude and suggestive humor, and language.)
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June 23, 2013 | Rating: D
Will Leitch Deadspin
Movies like "Zookeeper" make you hate movies, restaurants, animals, and Earth.
.Of all the relentlessly stupid scenes in "Zookeeper," I think the one that finally pushed me over the edge was when Kevin James took his talking gorilla best friend to T.G.I. Friday's. I could set up the scene for you, James' "motivation" or what have you, but, honestly, what would be the point? Kevin James takes his talking gorilla best friend -- his talking gorilla best friend who is wearing a T-shirt and a watch -- to have appetizers, play pool, flirt with girls and do "wacky" coordinated dances in front of a roaring crowd. A while back, promoting his film "The Greatest Film Ever Sold," Morgan Spurlock listed his five most egregious, hilarious examples of product placement in film for Vulture. His favorite was this bizarre scene from "Mac and Me:"
All right, so that's pretty bad. But is it any worse than Kevin James and his talking gorilla best friend gorging on "Loaded" Potato Skins, strumming a guitar, high-fiving waitresses, raving over the culinary delights of a T.G.I. Friday's? Is it any more surreal than that? Does it change the equation if I tell you that the voice of the gorilla belongs to Nick Nolte. I bet it does.
2. "Zookeeper" is produced by Adam Sandler (who also provides the voice of "Donald the Monkey") and directed by Sandler's old pal Frank Coraci, which means even for a movie whose premise begins and ends with Talking Animals, this one is particularly lazy. ("Just Go With It," Sandler's last movie, honestly looked like it was a succession of first takes slapped together, everyone rushing out of the room the minute someone yelled cut to go play golf.) The whole film just lumbers from one scene to another, without any logic or energy, and it knows you'll go along with it, because, come on, man, Talking Animals, you didn't want us to put any work into this, did you? I'm not saying you need to make the "There Will Be Blood" of Talking Animals Movies or anything -- though I'll confess, that would be something to see! -- but the amount of dismissive, cynical slop that's just sort of shoveled, here take this, you'll love it, like a diner waitress snarling as she slaps a rotted, overcooked hamburger on your plate and then overcharges you just because she can ... it's a little too much to take.
3. James plays Griffin, a loyal zookeeper at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston -- it must be said, that looks like a lovely zoo -- who still laments the fiancee who left him five years earlier because he was "just" a zookeeper. It is the experience of this reporter that women tend to like men who are gentle to animals more than they dislike them, but in the odd moral universe of "Zookeeper," the ex-fiancee wants Griffin to get a "real" job, which, for some reason, the film defines as "working as a car salesman." (Because that's what all the real movers-and-shakers are doing, and have always done: Aren't the kids on "Gossip Girl" all the offspring of car salesmen?) Afraid their beloved zookeeper buddy will leave the zoo all together, the animals get together to try to help Griffin win back his girl, or at least help him Understand Himself. And they do this by talking to him. Why do they talk? Because all animals talk when we're not around. Stop asking questions! Though it is not made clear whether all animals speak in celebrity voices -- including Cher, Sylvester Stallone, Maya Rudolph and Jon Favreau, all of whom sound tired -- or it's just the ones in this movie. I hope they all do, though, alas, that would make their decision to deprive humans -- other than kindly zookeepers -- of their voices almost tragic. I want to see a mongoose who talks like Stephen Hawking.
4. James has gotten himself tied up with the Sandler crew (Sandler has produced every movie he's been in other than "Hitch" and "The Dilemma"), and that's sort of a shame, because, as silly as this might sound, James is always at least trying. James is still too new to this to be lazy (he was the best part of "The Dilemma" mainly because he appeared legitimately excited to be working with Ron Howard, whereas the rest of the cast was just showing up to cash a check), and, truth be told, he has actual charm, were he ever to find a movie in which that mattered. But it's probably time to stop pretending he can be anything resembling a leading man, at that weight. Not to be mean here, but James is a massive, nearly obese man, and it's a legitimate question whether it's less likely that zoo animals would suddenly start talking or that a man who looked like Kevin James would have to choose between Leslie Bibb and Rosario Dawson. (Dawson's another actor who didn't get the memo that this was a movie about Talking Animals; she's personally responsible for the film's two charming moments.) James' appeal has always been that of a working-class amiable, modest schlub; turning him into the romantic pivot, the man who must choose between two beautiful women who desperately want him, is straining credulity to a degree that a lion who talks like Sylvester Stallone can't approach.
5. For a summer movie, the "special effects" that allow the animals in "Zookeeper" to talk are shockingly shoddy, just one step above "Clutch Cargo." When an animal "talks," he tends to stand motionless and just move his lips, which makes sense, because it must require intense concentration for an animal to talk. (You can't expect an animal to chew gum and walk at the same time, people.) "Zookeeper" is surely going to make a lot of money, which is a shame, not because it's so stupid (though it is), but because it's so obviously cynical and lacking basic imagination at its core. Here's your talking animal movie, you dopes. I mean, if you're going make Nick Nolte growl the voice of your gorilla, acknowledge that it's Nick Nolte! Have fun with it! And for God's sake, please don't make him order from an appetizers menu. That is the best way to sum up "Zookeeper:" It believes the first contact a sentient primate would make with a human being would be tell him that he wants to be part of a corporate-restaurant-dreck-sponsored montage sequence with the producer's wife playing the waitress. Movies like "Zookeeper" make you hate movies, restaurants, animals and earth.
Grade: D
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Audience Reviews for Zookeeper
** ½ KJ Proulx Super Reviewer
"Zookeeper" is another film about talking animals that you will probably come to hate before you even watch it through, but I must say, that because my expectations were down so low for this film, I came out pleasantly surprised. Okay, the script is atrocious, the acting is wooden, the plot is juvenile, but the emotion is true, and the chemistry between a talking gorilla and a man has never felt so realistic. I am not trying to say that it is a good movie, but it is far from bad. It is a very poor film about a zookeeper who is trying to find his way. Sure, it's filled with slapstick, bad jokes, and poor acting, but in the end, the film follows all the basic elements in storytelling, and this film is great for kids to watch. I had a little fun with this mess of a movie, so I will not hate on it. It' s far too average for my personal taste though!
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** ½ Kevin M. Williams Super Reviewer
I wanted to hate this cliche-ridden pablum, meant entirely for families (meaning the six - seven year olds children in those families and, of course, by extension their long suffering and mostly forgotten parents) ... but I couldn't. James is ever James and the very recognizable celeb voice work carry this past offensive into the just right zone. Just right for six - seven year olds.
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*** ½ Alison F.
My mother loves Roasario Dawson so when she heard about Zookeeper from one of her friends at Hart Heritage Estates, the assisted living facility in Forest Hill, in Harford County, MD where she is now living, she gave me a call and asked if I could find a CD of it. I promised I would try. The next week as I drove to the Hart Heritage Assisted Living facility, I once again smiled at my mother's good fortune to have been able to find a spot at this place. Nestled on 6.5 acres of park-like grounds, my mother, along with the residents have a front row view of nature at its finest, enjoying nature in every season. Woodland animals are everywhere. My mother enjoys watching the wildlife interact from her bedroom window! When we were looking for an assisted living facility, Hart Heritage Estates had been recommended by several friends. Although my mother is not in need of either Alzheimer's care or Parkinson's care, Hart Heritage Estates does have such facilities. The staff is very kind and cheerful, which makes me feel they enjoy what they do. In addition the staff works well with the residents and makes them feel that they are part of a big family, which is very nice to see and hear. When I arrived with a CD of Zookeeper, I found my mother with five friends who were all excited to watch the movie. The staff had supplied tea and snacks at my mother's request. Six chairs were arranged around the TV screen. I popped the CD in and we all settled down to view.
The critics were not kind to this film when it came out, but my mother and her friends enjoyed it. The ladies laughed and thought it clever to have the animals advising humans on their behavioral strategies. The slapstick was entertaining as when the animals' team advised the socially inept Griffin (Kevin James), to mark his territory (the wolves) and puff out his throat (Frog). Griffin took them so seriously that he marks his territory at his brother's rehearsal dinner by peeing in a potted plant. OK I know that might seem lame, but it worked. All in all, my mother and her ladies had a lovely afternoon and for me that is what is most important.
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** ½ Cynthia S. Super Reviewer
Love Kevin James. Did not like this much...Goofy dumb, not goofy funny.
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*** Melvin White Super Reviewer
Bernie the Gorilla: Hey, don't leave me in the van; I'm out of the zoo without my iZod. "Don't talk to the animals... unless they talk to you first." Zookeeper is a rather messy, cliche, predictable family comedy that uses a premise that all animals can talk and that they will even befriend a certain type of person. So, so far this sounds awful. That's how I figured I'd view the film. I thought I wouldn't like it, and I believed it would be horrible. Now while it isn't a good movie by any standards, I was completely surprised by it. Somehow all this stupidness ends up being a rather fun time, even with Adam Sandler's horrible voice for the monkey. At the beginning of this movie we see a zookeeper propose to his girlfriend. It doesn't go well and then the story jumps several years ahead where we see that he's still a zookeeper even though the only reason his girlfriend wouldn't marry him was because he was a zookeeper. He loves his work though. When he runs into his girlfriend at a party for his brother who is getting married, he tries to win her back. A bunch of the zoo animals decide to try to help him out with his relationship problems and begin talking to him. In the end the story has the same sort of family theme that you don't need to change who you are to be happy. I sort of have an affection for these dumb comedies that Kevin James has been starring in. I didn't even hate Mall Cop. I've been a fan of James since I grew up watching his television show, The King of Queens. Ever since then, I always check out whatever he's in no matter how awful it looks. I was happy I checked out Mall Cop and now I'm happy I checked out Zookeeper. In the end, you sort of now what you're going to get from a movie like this. It isn't an amazing film by any standards, but there's something that is really likable about it all. I never thought I would say anything with talking animals would be likable, but this is just one of those times where a movie really surprises you.
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** Jonny 9
December 12, 2011
While not a good movie by any stretch of the imagination, Kevin James' "Zookeeper" isn't "Mars Needs Moms"-level dreck. Certainly, there are problems, in particular the fact that you have seen this basic plot in a host of movies and television shows and even the 1950's song "Do You Love Me? (Now That I Can Dance)." For an $80million (USD) film the production has a surprising number of technical flaws. Nick Nolte's voice work as Bernie the Gorilla could have used subtitles to overcome his slurring and the words lost to his tone dropping to an inaudible rasp. The CGI gorilla itself suffers from scaling problems alternatively presented as big enough to carry light heavyweight James on its back up the side of a bridge but small enough to fit comfortably in a booth at a certain casual dining establishment. While product placement to offset production costs is a reasonable practice when it stays out of the spotlight, actually inserting commercial breaks into the proceedings (see also recent James Bond BMW ads and the Ford Mustang commercial in the Will Smith version of "The Omega Man") should prompt theater goers to ask for their cut via lowered ticket prices. Having producer Adam Sandler bring in big names (Cher, Sylvester Stallone, etc.) to do voice work creates very noticeable problems of timing and unnatural pauses clearly the result of the tracks being recorded at different times. Sandler's unhelpful influence demonstrates also demonstrates itself with prerequisite scenes of public urination. To Sandler: public + relieving yourself = funny (see also "Big Daddy", "Jack and Jill" and others). Some elements of the film aren't that bad. While he struggles to be consistently interesting enough to be a leading man, James is likable. Joe Rogan plays a comical bad guy with scene-chewing rubber-faced malice. Ken Jeong's plays the zoo's disturbed reptile handler (one imagines this is only an exaggerated representation of what someone in this line of work is probably like) and while very underutilized he gets to deliver the film's best line: "Newly weds, huh? If you're looking for a honeymoon destination, Oklahoma has a stupid underground fight club scene." In short, by no means a film worth seeing but not the screaming no fly zone others might lead you to believe.
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***½ Jeff S
December 12, 2011
It was a surprise for me. I thought it would be just to stupid. It was funny and really good for kids.
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* RJ W
December 11, 2011
Bored fell asleep first 20mins
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***½ A. M. Esmonde .
December 11, 2011
Good fun, great voices.
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***** jimmy s
December 10, 2011
Funny good family movie
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***** Yvonne Q
December 10, 2011
It's so funny!! My kids and I loved it.
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* Sam C
December 10, 2011
Zookeeper is a another family film that absolutely sucked. Zookeeper is about Griffin who is a Zookeeper who watches over all these animals in the zoo and he's done this for many years. A few years ago he got dumped because he was a zookeeper and now that he's seen her again he wants to try and win her back and plans to quit being a zookeeper. Soon enough the animals start to talk to him and try to help him win back the girl. When I first heard of this movie I thought this is going to be nothing but crap and sure enough I was right. The story for this movie is absolutely stupid and is just like any other family movie being made right now with to many predictable moments. The comedy in this movie is for little kids and will probably not entertain teens or older. This movie had one scene in this movie were I chuckled and that was because of Ken Jeong. This movie also has a decent cast that give terrible performances. I don't like Kevin James that much as an actor an watching this movie didn't help at all because he gives one of the worst performances of the year. This movie also has good actors like Ken Jeong, Sylvester Stallone, and Adam Sandler who give their worst performances yet. Overall Zookeeper is one of the worst movies of the year that should only be watched by kids.
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*½ jeremy g
December 10, 2011
about as good as mall cop.....
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**½ Marisa D
December 10, 2011
Was just kinda cute that's all
Rachael B
December 10, 2011
This film had its funny bits in it. Kevin James played his character Griffin very well. I liked when both Kate and Griffin were flying in the air like eagles. I liked all the animals especially the Gorilla, he was a party animal and loved his ORANGES. :0) This film is designed to make all people laugh.
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* Bradley W
December 2, 2011
Zookeeper was the years worst film until I saw Spy Kids 4. In every sngle way I can think of this movie sucked. When Zookeeper Griffin Keyes (Kevin James) is dumped by his girlfriend on the beach, five years later he sees her again and he thinks she wants to start a new relationship, one problem, dating her would force him away from the zoo, and the talking zoo animals love having Griffin because he is kind and treats them as equals, so they reveal they can talk and they train him to be a ladies man, and in the meantime Griffin grows a strong friendship with Bernie the Gorilla. The plot is stupid on every level, why anyone would want to see a movie about Kevin James with talking animals is beyond me, and it even curses a little, why in gods name would a mother want to take her children to a family movie that swears, its ind of liuke the crappy Mr. Poppers Penguins. This film is also a horrible adaption of films like Night at the Museum and Dr. Dolittle, the writers in this movie might as well have been 5 year olds who made this during time out at pre school. Kevin James is a funny guy, why is he agreeing to crap like this all the time, his last decent film was Paul Blart, since then its been all crap, heck even before that he was doing a lot of dumb films, The King of Queens was hilarious, why can't he be funny like that. The voice artists weren't very bad, but if I had to hear any more of their crappy and cheesy jokes or Sylvester Stallone sound like Rocky Balboa as a lion, I was going to stand up and burn the movie screen, and to be honest I think everyone in the theatre would thank me. Zookeeper is a boring, badly plotted, horribly directed, badly acted, and terrible comedy movie and is a front runner for one of the worst films of 2011.
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***½ William R
December 2, 2011
It was funny, I think people give Kevin James a hard time. It was a good movie for the family also.
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***** Vicky W
December 2, 2011
absolutely brilliant!! really funny!!!
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***** Rebecca E
December 1, 2011
Very cute, however some of the animal voices would have been better executed with other voices.
More Background On Zookeeper-Movie.net
Zookeeper-Movie.net is a movie-focused website associated with the 2011 American family comedy Zookeeper, starring Kevin James, Rosario Dawson, and Leslie Bibb. Originally presented as the film's official website, the domain now serves as a retrospective resource featuring information about the movie, its storyline, cast, promotional trailer, professional reviews, and audience reactions. The website preserves a glimpse of a particular era in movie marketing, when studios used dedicated film domains to promote theatrical releases, introduce characters, distribute trailers, and build anticipation among prospective audiences.
Although Zookeeper received predominantly negative reviews from professional critics, it attracted a substantial moviegoing audience and earned nearly $170 million worldwide. The history of Zookeeper-Movie.net is closely connected to the film itself, its Hollywood production companies, the Boston zoo that provided its principal setting, and the contrast between its commercial performance and critical reception. The website is also an example of how a promotional movie domain can evolve into an informational archive after the theatrical campaign has ended.
The Origins and Purpose of Zookeeper-Movie.net
Zookeeper-Movie.net identifies itself as the former official website for Zookeeper, the family-oriented comedy released in American theaters on July 8, 2011. The film was distributed domestically by Sony Pictures Releasing and developed through a collaboration involving Columbia Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Happy Madison Productions, Hey Eddie, and Broken Road Productions. During the early 2010s, standalone websites were an established part of Hollywood's promotional strategy. A movie's dedicated domain often provided a central destination where visitors could watch trailers, explore the storyline, view promotional artwork, and learn about the actors and filmmakers. Such websites complemented television commercials, theatrical previews, entertainment news coverage, and publicity appearances.
Zookeeper-Movie.net belonged to this broader promotional environment. Its association with a major studio comedy gave the domain a recognizable subject, particularly among people searching for information about Kevin James, talking-animal movies, or the film's release. The site's surviving content prominently identifies Zookeeper as a 2011 family movie and includes an official theatrical trailer. It also contains plot descriptions, cast information, commentary, and numerous reviews that help visitors understand how the movie was received.
An important distinction is that the present website should not automatically be treated as an unchanged copy of the original studio-operated promotional site. Its introductory material states that it incorporates content from archived 2011 pages and outside sources, and some commentary appears to have been added independently of the original promotional campaign. Consequently, the domain is best understood today as a historical movie-information website with roots in the film's original online promotion, rather than as a currently verified official communications channel for Sony Pictures.
Website Ownership, Studio Connections, and Editorial Development
The movie itself has a well-documented corporate background. Columbia Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and several independent production companies participated in bringing Zookeeper to theaters. Sony Pictures handled its domestic theatrical distribution, while the film's official Sony Pictures page carries a 2011 copyright notice identifying Zookeeper Productions, LLC. These relationships establish the corporate entities associated with the film, but they do not independently establish the present legal registrant or operator of Zookeeper-Movie.net. The site's description of itself as a former official website is a historical claim, not conclusive evidence of current studio ownership.
The distinction matters because movie promotional domains frequently change after a theatrical release. Some are redirected to studio catalogs, some become inactive, and others are retained or repurposed by independent operators. Archived promotional content can remain valuable even when the original campaign is no longer active. The current Zookeeper-Movie.net website includes material from sources outside the studio's promotional campaign, including professional criticism and informal audience commentary. This gives the website a broader editorial character than a conventional movie advertisement and allows visitors to explore both the original promotional presentation and the sharply divided reactions that followed the release.
No reliable public evidence reviewed establishes a complete chain of domain ownership, an original domain registration date, or the identities of every subsequent operator. Those details should therefore remain separate from the documented ownership and production history of the movie. The website's value today comes primarily from the film-related material it collects and preserves rather than from any independently verified continuing relationship with the original studios.
The Movie Behind the Website: Zookeeper (2011)
Zookeeper is a fantasy comedy combining live-action performances, talking animals, romantic misunderstandings, and physical humor. Directed by Frank Coraci, the movie centers on Griffin Keyes, a kindhearted employee of Boston's Franklin Park Zoo. Griffin, played by Kevin James, genuinely enjoys caring for animals. His professional life gives him a sense of purpose, and the creatures under his supervision respond to his kindness. His romantic life, however, is considerably less successful.
The movie begins with Griffin proposing marriage to his girlfriend, Stephanie, played by Leslie Bibb. Stephanie rejects him, partly because she considers his career insufficiently prestigious. Her attitude leaves Griffin questioning whether the work he loves is compatible with the relationship he wants. Years later, Griffin encounters Stephanie again and begins considering a career change that might make him more attractive to her. He contemplates leaving the zoo for a position selling automobiles, a profession presented as offering greater financial opportunity and social status.
The animals are alarmed by the possibility of losing their favorite caretaker. To prevent his departure, they break a longstanding rule: they reveal that they can speak to humans. Once Griffin discovers their secret, the animals attempt to teach him romantic strategies based on their own instincts and behaviors. Their suggestions create a series of embarrassing situations, including attempts to establish dominance, demonstrate confidence, and attract attention through animal-inspired courtship rituals.
Meanwhile, Griffin's relationship with Kate, a fellow zoo employee played by Rosario Dawson, provides an alternative to his pursuit of Stephanie. Kate appreciates Griffin's kindness and commitment to the animals, qualities Stephanie tends to undervalue. Beneath its broad comedy, the story explores self-acceptance, professional pride, friendship, and the difference between changing oneself to gain approval and finding someone who appreciates one's existing character. The film was rated PG for some rude and suggestive humor and language, with a running time generally listed at approximately 101 to 102 minutes.
Kevin James and the Human Cast
Kevin James was the central attraction of Zookeeper. By 2011, he was widely recognized for portraying Doug Heffernan in the CBS sitcom The King of Queens, which ran from 1998 to 2007. He had also established himself as a successful movie comedian through productions such as Hitch and Paul Blart: Mall Cop. James brought his familiar combination of physical comedy, social awkwardness, and likability to Griffin Keyes. The character was designed around the actor's established screen persona: an ordinary, good-natured man who frequently finds himself in extraordinary or humiliating circumstances.
Rosario Dawson played Kate, whose warmth and practical outlook contrast with Stephanie's interest in status. Dawson's performance gives the film a more grounded romantic element amid its increasingly absurd animal-related situations. Leslie Bibb portrayed Stephanie, the former girlfriend whose rejection initiates Griffin's emotional conflict. Her character represents the social expectations Griffin initially believes he must satisfy to achieve romantic success.
Joe Rogan appeared as Gale, a competitive and obnoxious romantic rival. Rogan's performance emphasizes the exaggerated masculinity that Griffin unsuccessfully attempts to imitate. Other recognizable performers included Ken Jeong as Venom, a zoo employee associated with the reptile exhibits, and Donnie Wahlberg as Shane. Nat Faxon also appeared in the film. The combination of established television personalities, movie comedians, and recognizable supporting actors helped position Zookeeper as a mainstream summer entertainment release rather than a small independent family production.
The Celebrity Voices Behind the Animals
One of the film's major promotional attractions was its unusually recognizable voice cast. Instead of relying exclusively on professional animation voice actors, the production recruited celebrities from comedy, film, television, and entertainment. Nick Nolte provided the voice of Bernie, a gorilla who becomes Griffin's closest animal companion. Bernie's relationship with Griffin supplies some of the movie's most memorable scenes, particularly when the pair leave the zoo for an unusual evening together.
Adam Sandler voiced Donald the Monkey and also served as a producer, connecting the movie with the comedy filmmaking network behind Happy Madison Productions. Sylvester Stallone voiced Joe the Lion, while Cher provided the voice of Janet the Lioness. Additional voices included Judd Apatow as Barry the Elephant, Jon Favreau as Jerome the Bear, Faizon Love as Bruce the Bear, Maya Rudolph as Mollie the Giraffe, Bas Rutten as Sebastian the Wolf, Don Rickles as the Frog, and Jim Breuer as the Crow.
This ensemble was important to the film's marketing appeal. Adult audiences could recognize familiar performers behind the animals, while younger viewers could enjoy the novelty of creatures offering human relationship advice. The celebrity voice cast also became a frequent subject of reviews. Some critics considered the performances among the movie's more entertaining features, while others argued that the famous voices could not compensate for weaknesses in the screenplay.
Frank Coraci, Happy Madison, and the Film's Production
Frank Coraci directed Zookeeper, continuing a professional association with Adam Sandler and the broader Happy Madison comedy circle. Coraci had previously directed popular comedies including The Wedding Singer and The Waterboy, both released in 1998. The screenplay was credited to Nick Bakay, Rock Reuben, Kevin James, Jay Scherick, and David Ronn. Scherick and Ronn also received story credit. The involvement of multiple comedy writers reflected the film's combination of romantic comedy conventions, slapstick sequences, and talking-animal fantasy.
The producing team included Todd Garner, Kevin James, Adam Sandler, Jack Giarraputo, and Walt Becker. Their collective experience encompassed mainstream Hollywood comedies and commercially oriented entertainment. Michael Barrett handled cinematography, Scott Hill edited the movie, and Rupert Gregson-Williams composed its music. Production design was credited to Kirk M. Petruccelli.
The film's estimated production budget was $80 million, a substantial investment for a family comedy. Its expenses reflected a combination of recognizable performers, live-action production, animal work, specialized effects, and digital techniques needed to create the illusion of speaking animals. The filmmakers faced the challenge of integrating real animal imagery, physical performances, and fantasy elements into a recognizable zoo environment. The production used both practical and visual-effects techniques, including a performer in a gorilla suit for Bernie. Although the finished movie was marketed as lighthearted entertainment, its production involved the coordination of multiple studios, specialized crews, animal-related filmmaking requirements, and a large cast of human and voice performers.
Filming Locations: Franklin Park Zoo and Boston, Massachusetts
One of the most distinctive aspects of Zookeeper is its connection to a real American zoo. Much of the movie was filmed at Franklin Park Zoo, located at 1 Franklin Park Road in Boston, Massachusetts. Franklin Park Zoo is operated by Zoo New England, a nonprofit organization that also manages Stone Zoo in Stoneham, Massachusetts. The Boston facility is situated within Franklin Park, part of the city's historic Emerald Necklace park system.
The production began filming in the Boston area in 2009, with principal photography taking place during the summer and fall. The filmmakers constructed elaborate temporary sets within the zoo, creating a fictionalized environment that incorporated actual zoo facilities. Filming required coordination with zoo administrators, employees, visitors, and production crews. Certain visitor pathways were temporarily redirected to accommodate the construction and filming activities.
The production also brought financial benefits to the facility. Contemporary reporting described a substantial location fee, improvements to landscaping and facilities, and a $20,000 contribution to Franklin Park through the city's Parks and Recreation Department. Zoo New England officials viewed the project as an opportunity to increase the institution's national visibility and support regional tourism. The movie's setting also introduced audiences outside Massachusetts to a real zoological institution.
The location remains significant because Zookeeper was not simply a Hollywood production using an entirely fictional zoo. Its relationship with Franklin Park Zoo connected the film to Boston's cultural landscape and the broader economic activity generated by filmmaking in Massachusetts. It also helped distinguish the production from other talking-animal comedies that relied more heavily on studio sets or imaginary settings.
The Film's Release and Box Office Performance
Zookeeper opened widely in American theaters on July 8, 2011, during the competitive summer movie season. Sony Pictures Releasing handled domestic distribution. The movie debuted in 3,482 North American theaters and earned $20,065,617 during its opening weekend, placing third at the domestic box office. This was a substantial opening for a family comedy, although it did not make the film the weekend's leading attraction. Its theatrical performance ultimately demonstrated a considerable difference between critical approval and audience purchasing behavior.
According to Box Office Mojo, the movie earned $80,360,843 domestically and $89,491,916 internationally, producing a worldwide total of $169,852,759 against an estimated production budget of $80 million. International ticket sales accounted for slightly more than half of the worldwide total, suggesting that the film's straightforward premise, physical humor, recognizable star, and talking animals had appeal beyond the United States.
The worldwide gross was approximately 2.1 times the reported production budget. However, theatrical revenue should not be confused with net profit. Marketing expenditures, distribution expenses, and the division of ticket revenue between theaters and distributors affect the financial outcome. The film later became available through home entertainment, with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releasing it on home video in October 2011. Its continuing presence in digital catalogs has helped preserve the movie's visibility among families, Kevin James fans, and viewers interested in early-2010s comedies.
Critical Reviews and Professional Reception
Professional reviews of Zookeeper were overwhelmingly negative. Critics frequently described the screenplay as predictable, the jokes as juvenile, and the combination of romance and talking animals as awkward. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 13% critics' score based on 130 reviews, compared with a 41% audience score from more than 25,000 ratings. The figures reflect a significant difference between professional critical judgment and the more varied reactions of general viewers.
Several reviewers questioned whether the film was intended primarily for children or adults. Its talking animals and broad physical humor suggested a young audience, but some of the romantic situations and suggestive jokes were considered less appropriate for that demographic. Other criticisms focused on the screenplay's reliance on familiar romantic-comedy conventions. Griffin's efforts to change his personality to impress Stephanie were seen as predictable, while the animals' advice often provided opportunities for slapstick rather than meaningful character development.
The film's visual effects also attracted criticism. Some reviewers considered the animals' digitally animated speech unconvincing, particularly when compared with other fantasy films featuring talking creatures. Nevertheless, the response was not uniformly negative. Some critics appreciated Kevin James's approachable screen presence, the celebrity voice performances, and the film's willingness to embrace absurd humor. For readers interested in understanding the movie's reputation, the important point is that Zookeeper was not a critically acclaimed comedy. Its historical significance lies more in its commercial reach, recognizable cast, and place within a popular genre of family entertainment.
Audience Reviews Preserved on Zookeeper-Movie.net
One of Zookeeper-Movie.net's most useful features is its collection of audience responses and excerpts from published reviews. These reactions illustrate how differently viewers experienced the same movie. Some audience members found Zookeeper entertaining precisely because it did not demand serious interpretation. They enjoyed watching Kevin James interact with talking animals, appreciated the exaggerated physical comedy, and considered the film suitable for a casual family movie night.
A July 2011 IMDb review reproduced on the website awarded the movie eight out of ten stars. The reviewer emphasized the enjoyment of watching the film with a seven-year-old child, arguing that younger viewers were the appropriate audience for its humor. Other reviewers were less enthusiastic. They criticized the familiar plot, repeated physical gags, and the movie's dependence on celebrity voices rather than original storytelling.
Several comments singled out Bernie the Gorilla as one of the strongest elements. The relationship between Bernie and Griffin was considered more entertaining than many of the film's romantic complications. A particularly memorable sequence involves Griffin taking Bernie to a TGI Friday's restaurant. The scene attracted attention both from viewers who enjoyed its absurdity and from critics who regarded it as an unusually conspicuous example of product placement.
The website also includes reactions from viewers who initially expected to dislike the movie but found it moderately enjoyable. These comments provide a more nuanced picture than the low aggregate critics' score alone. By preserving positive, negative, and mixed opinions, Zookeeper-Movie.net functions as a record of the film's audience reception rather than merely a promotional endorsement.
The Website's Content, Navigation, and Visitor Experience
Zookeeper-Movie.net is primarily an informational movie website. Its central content revolves around the film's promotional trailer, story, cast, and reviews. The official trailer is particularly important because it communicates the movie's premise quickly. Viewers are introduced to Griffin, the animals' secret ability to speak, and the comic complications that follow their attempts to improve his romantic life.
The review material is another major component. Instead of presenting only brief ratings, the website includes longer excerpts and viewer commentary, giving readers an opportunity to understand why different audiences reacted as they did. The site also features an interview reference involving Leslie Bibb, connecting its retrospective content with the publicity surrounding the film's original release. Its presentation is closer to a straightforward entertainment-information page than a modern interactive streaming platform, allowing visitors to explore the film without navigating a large commercial entertainment portal.
There is no established restaurant-style menu, retail product catalog, ticket-booking system, or membership program associated with the website. Its purpose is informational rather than transactional. Similarly, the website does not operate a physical attraction or cinema. The relevant real-world location is Franklin Park Zoo, where the movie was filmed, rather than a public location belonging to the domain itself.
Awards, Nominations, and Industry Recognition
Although Zookeeper was not a major critical success, it received limited recognition through entertainment-industry awards and nominations. According to IMDb's awards listing, the film has one recorded win and two nominations. Composer Rupert Gregson-Williams received recognition at the 2012 ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards in the Top Box Office Films category, reflecting the film's commercial performance and the composer's contribution.
Rosario Dawson received a nomination for Choice Summer Movie Star: Female at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards. The nomination demonstrated the film's visibility among younger entertainment audiences. Ken Jeong was also included in a 2012 Razzie Award nomination for Worst Supporting Actor, shared across several films in which he appeared.
These honors and nominations present a mixed picture. The film achieved enough commercial prominence to attract industry recognition and popular-award attention, while also receiving negative acknowledgment for aspects of its performances. No evidence reviewed establishes major Academy Award, Golden Globe, or comparable prestige-award victories for Zookeeper.
Press Coverage and the Animal Welfare Controversy
The movie received substantial entertainment-media attention before and during its theatrical release. Coverage included casting announcements, production reporting from Massachusetts, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and box office analysis. However, not all publicity focused on the movie's comedy or famous cast. Animal welfare concerns became a significant issue during the film's promotional campaign.
A giraffe named Tweet died in September 2009 during the production period. Tweet had previously appeared in entertainment productions and advertising. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals raised concerns about the giraffe's treatment and called for an investigation. The organization also criticized the use of performing animals in the movie and organized protests around its Hollywood premiere.
The American Humane Association investigated the death and reached a different conclusion. Its published assessment stated that the cause was unknown but that the evidence did not indicate mistreatment or neglect connected with the production. The organization reported that the death was not preventable under the circumstances it investigated. The controversy attracted reporting from major news organizations, including the Los Angeles Times, and contributed to a broader discussion about the treatment of animals used in film and television.
The distinction between the competing claims is important. Animal welfare advocates raised serious allegations, but the investigation did not establish that production-related mistreatment caused Tweet's death. For the history of Zookeeper, the incident remains a noteworthy part of its production and publicity record. It demonstrates how a seemingly lighthearted family movie can become connected to larger ethical debates about filmmaking practices.
Product Placement and the TGI Friday's Sequence
Among the most discussed scenes in Zookeeper is the sequence in which Griffin takes Bernie the Gorilla to TGI Friday's. The scene is designed as an absurd comic adventure in which a gorilla experiences a human restaurant environment. It gives Griffin and Bernie an opportunity to bond outside the zoo and provides a showcase for Nick Nolte's distinctive voice performance.
At the same time, the restaurant's branding is highly visible. The sequence became a frequently cited example of product placement, the practice of incorporating recognizable commercial brands into entertainment. Some viewers considered the scene one of the movie's funniest moments, while others believed its promotional character overwhelmed the comedy.
The disagreement illustrates a broader tension in mainstream Hollywood filmmaking. Brand partnerships can provide financial or promotional value, but conspicuous commercial references may distract viewers from the story. For Zookeeper-Movie.net, the restaurant sequence is relevant not because the website offers dining information, but because the scene became one of the film's most recognizable and debated moments.
Popularity, Online Interest, and the Website's Audience
The popularity of Zookeeper can be measured through its theatrical earnings, continuing audience ratings, home entertainment distribution, and presence in online movie databases. The film's worldwide gross of nearly $170 million confirms that it reached a large international audience. Its release in thousands of American theaters and subsequent home video availability gave it exposure well beyond its opening weekend.
The movie's online audience includes families looking for light entertainment, fans of Kevin James, viewers interested in celebrity voice performances, and people researching movies filmed in Boston. Zookeeper-Movie.net serves a more specialized audience. Visitors are likely to be interested in the film's history, trailer, reviews, or the circumstances surrounding its production and reception.
The domain's exact traffic, monthly visitors, search-engine rankings, and historical peak popularity cannot be established reliably from the available public evidence. Its association with a commercially successful movie does not, by itself, establish high traffic for the website. Nevertheless, the domain has a clear subject and recognizable search relevance. Its title directly identifies the movie, and its historical content corresponds with searches about the 2011 release. The website also has potential value for people studying the evolution of online film promotion, particularly the transition from dedicated movie websites to broader studio platforms, streaming catalogs, and social media marketing.
Cultural Significance and the Film's Place in Family Comedy
Zookeeper belongs to a recognizable tradition of American comedies in which animals speak, behave like humans, or help people understand their personal problems. Earlier films such as Dr. Dolittle popularized the concept of humans communicating with animals, while productions such as Night at the Museum demonstrated the commercial possibilities of combining live action, fantasy, and family-oriented comedy.
Zookeeper adapted these conventions to a romantic-comedy storyline. Rather than using talking animals to solve a mystery or save the world, it made them advisers to an insecure man attempting to improve his love life. The movie also reflects the comic style associated with Kevin James and Adam Sandler's production circle during the late 2000s and early 2010s. Broad physical humor, celebrity cameos, recognizable brands, and sentimental conclusions were common elements of these films.
Its central message is more conventional than its premise. Griffin ultimately learns that personal fulfillment comes from accepting his own values rather than reshaping his identity to satisfy someone else's expectations. This theme gives the film an accessible emotional foundation, even when individual jokes or situations are exaggerated.
The movie also offers an interesting representation of zookeeping as a profession. Griffin is portrayed as compassionate, dedicated, and emotionally connected to the animals under his care. Although the story treats his job as socially undesirable in the eyes of certain characters, its resolution affirms the value of his work. For some viewers, that positive depiction of animal caretaking may be among the film's more enduring qualities.
The Historical Value of Zookeeper-Movie.net
Zookeeper-Movie.net illustrates how websites created around individual entertainment releases can retain relevance long after their original promotional purpose has ended. In 2011, audiences commonly encountered new movies through theatrical trailers, television advertising, entertainment websites, and dedicated promotional domains. A film's website could serve as the central destination for information about its release.
Today, audiences are more likely to discover older films through streaming services, video platforms, search engines, and large movie databases. Dedicated domains from earlier marketing campaigns can therefore become historical artifacts. Zookeeper-Movie.net is useful because it connects the original promotional identity of Zookeeper with material documenting how the movie was received. The combination of trailer content, plot information, professional reviews, and audience commentary provides context that a basic streaming description would not.
Its archive-like character also makes it relevant to researchers interested in movie marketing and digital preservation. The website demonstrates how entertainment content can survive through republication and retrospective organization, even when its original promotional context has changed. At the same time, the site's contents require appropriate interpretation. Not every item on a former official movie domain should be assumed to represent an original studio statement. Material added later may reflect independent editorial decisions or personal commentary. That distinction is particularly important for historical research, where the date, origin, and authority of individual statements can affect their reliability.
The Continuing Legacy of Zookeeper and Its Website
More than a decade after its theatrical release, Zookeeper remains an example of a commercially successful but critically unpopular Hollywood family comedy. Its worldwide box office performance demonstrates that recognizable performers, accessible humor, and an easily understood fantasy premise can attract substantial audiences even when professional reviews are unfavorable. The film is also remembered for its unusual celebrity voice cast, its connection to Boston's Franklin Park Zoo, the relationship between Griffin and Bernie the Gorilla, and the conspicuous TGI Friday's sequence.
Its production history provides additional context through the involvement of multiple major studios, the economic benefits of filming in Massachusetts, and the animal welfare controversy that accompanied its release. Zookeeper-Movie.net preserves many of these elements in an accessible online format. Although its current ownership and historical traffic figures are not independently established, the website's identity as a former promotional destination gives it a meaningful connection to the film's history.
For readers interested in Kevin James, early-2010s family comedies, talking-animal movies, or the evolution of Hollywood's online marketing, the domain offers a focused starting point. Ultimately, the significance of Zookeeper-Movie.net extends beyond whether Zookeeper was a good or bad movie. It represents a surviving piece of the digital environment surrounding a major theatrical release and provides a record of how the film was promoted, discussed, criticized, and enjoyed.
