New Release: Zookeeper DVD and Blu-ray

Release Date: Oct. 11, 2011
Price: DVD $30.99, Blu-ray $35.99, Blu-ray/DVD Combo $40.99
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment


ZookeeperOne more movie with talking animals helping some clueless person, Zookeeper wasn’t exactly the king of the jungle at the box office.

In the comedy, Kevin James (The Dilemma) returns to the same awkward-guy-who-can’t-get-the-girl character he played in Hitch and Paul Blart: Mall Cop. He’s the titular zookeeper, who decides to leave his job so he can attract the girl of his dreams (Leslie Bibb, Miss Nobody). But the animals don’t want to see him go, so they break their code of silence around people to help him score.

The cast also boasts Rosario Dawson (Unstoppable), funny man Ken Jeong (Couples Retreat) and the voices of Nick Nolte (Cape Fear), Adam Sandler (Just Go With It), Sylvester Stallone (The Expendables), Cher (Burlesque), Jon Favreau (Swingers), Faizon Love (Big Mommas Like Father Like Son), Maya Rudolph (Bridesmaids), Don Rickles (Toy Story 3) and even comedy director Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin).

Rated PG, the movie grossed a decent $76.8 million in theaters, despite dismal critic reviews and even a low approval rating from audience members (46% according to Rotten Tomatoes). According to USA Today critic Scott Bowles, “It’s hard to think of a human finding much to laugh about in this wounded beast.” And New York Daily News critic Joe Neumaier wrote, “A children’s comedy about talking animals that feels as if it were written by children or, perhaps, by talking animals.” Ouch!

On disc, Sony is pricing the movie higher than usual, which of course will be discounted by retailers. But the DVD and Blu-ray versions are packed with bonus features.

All versions will have these extras:

  • “Laughing is Contagious” blooper reel
  • deleted scenes
  • “Bernie the Gorilla” featurette
  • “The Furry Co-Stars” featurette
  • “Creating the Visual Effects” featurettes
    • “Making the Animals Talk”
    • “Riding an Ostrich”
    • “Animal Meeting”

The single Blu-ray and Blu-ray/DVD combo also have these special features:

  • “Be the Bear” featurette
  • “Behind the Stunts” featurette
  • “The Cast of Zookeeper” featurette
  • Sony’s MovieIQ BD-Live feature with real-time information on the cast, music and trivia playable during the movie
  • and a demo of game Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One playable on the PlayStation 3.

 

Buy or Rent Zookeeper
Amazon graphic
DVD | Blu-ray |
Blu-ray/DVD Combo
DVD Empire graphicDVD | Blu-ray |
Blu-ray/DVD Combo
Movies Unlimited graphicDVD | Blu-ray | Blu-ray/DVD Combo Netflix graphic

About S. Clark

Sam Clark is the former Managing Editor/Online Editor of Video Business magazine. With 19 years experience in journalism, 12 in the home entertainment industry, Sam has been hooked on movies on since she saw E.T. then stared into the sky waiting to meet her own friendly alien. Thanks to her husband’s shared love of movies, Sam reviews Blu-ray discs in a true home theater, with a 118-inch screen, projector and cushy recliners with cup holders.