FIERCE CREATURES

UK, 1996, 93 minutes, Colour.
John Cleese, Kevin Kline, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Palin, Ronnie Corbett, Robert Lindsay, Cary Lowell.
Directed by Robert M.Young and Fred Schepisi.

Described as an `equal' rather than a sequel to A Fish Called Wanda, it is not. The basic premiss of a tycoon wanting a zoo to be profitable and the way that crowds are to be attracted is by featuring only `fierce creatures' is a good one. However, it is all a patchy affair (and had two directors, including Fred Schepisi). It is nice to see a more genial John Cleese, but Michael Palin who appears as a walking (and incessantly talking) encyclopaedia becomes tiresome. Kevin Kline has two roles. He goes over the top as the inept greedy son of the tycoon and grates. But his interpretation of a (somewhat) Murdoch-like New Zealand media baron is quite funny. This film will depend on mood as to how funny you will find it. Carry on Pythons at the zoo.

1.The work of the Fish Called Wanda team? The success of A Fish Called Wanda? The decision to make an ‘equal’? Audience expectations of the comedy, the acting, the characters, the humour?

2.The difficulties in production? The change of directors? Alternate filming and endings? How well did the extra material blend with the original?

3.The wealthy boardrooms of international companies? The zoo? The London settings? The exotic atmosphere of the zoo? The blend of realism and exaggeration? The musical score?

4.The title and the focus on animals in the zoo, people wanting to see fierce creatures? The advertising campaign? The environment for the fierce creatures? The message about the environment?

5.The satiric tone of the film? On characters and types? On social issues? Financial issues? Relationships?

6.The satire on contemporary tycoons? Media barons? The humour of having the tycoon come from the Antipodes? The satire on Rupert Murdoch and his style of management and wealth?

7.Kevin Kline as Rod McCain? His origins, his style, accent, vulgar? His domination of the board? Relationship with his assistants? Surrounded by yes-men? Despising his son? The plan for the zoo, the communication with Rollo Lee? The plan? The selling of the zoo? His interference? Willa? His clash with his son? His being shot? Vince impersonating his father? Finding a loving father in his death? The satire on crass wealth?

8.Kevin Kline's contrast in his portrayal of Vince? Weak, put-down? Criminal and skimming the wealth from the top? The encounter with Willa, the sexual advances? A farcical character? His role at the zoo, the clashes with Rollo, the demotion? The crass hoardings, the sponsorships - and the backing of the celebrities? The confrontation with his father? His father's death? The frantic disguise, the police? His father's will - and the future?

9.Jamie Lee Curtis and her style as Willa? Ambitions? Wanting to enter the McCain? empire? The encounters with Vince and his advances? Learning the ropes? The encounter with Rollo and the farcical relationship and jokes? The attraction? Sex scenes? The policy of the company, her change of heart? Her clashes with McCain?, with Vince? The staff? The ending and her participating in the disguise of Vince? A future with Rollo?

10.John Cleese and his style as Rollo? In Hong Kong, the McCain? communication, the plan, the encounter with the staff? The policy and his threat to kill the animals? Yet the soft side, saving the animals? The accidents - and his hiding, being (literally) exposed? The policy changes, Willa and the compromise? The confrontation with McCain?, Vince, the satisfactory ending?

11.Michael Palin as Bugsy Malone? The excess of(?) talk, the range of his expertise, attitude towards the animals, encyclopaedic? The shooting?

12.The picture of the staff, the range of characters, comic styles, their work, beliefs, loyalty to the animals, confronting Rollo? The changes at the zoo?

13.The themes of company greed, leisure industry and exploitation, the environment and its exploitation? A message film through comedy and farce?