The Animal

For people nicknamed "The Animal", seeThe Animal (nickname).For other uses, seeAnimal (disambiguation).

The Animalis a 2001 Americancomedy filmdirected byLuke Greenfield,written byTom BradyandRob Schneiderfrom a story conceived by Brady. It stars Schneider in the lead role, alongsideColleen Haskell,John C. McGinley,Guy Torry,andEdward Asnerwith supporting roles byMichael CatonandLouis Lombardi.The film depicts a police station evidence clerk who is critically injured and is put back together by a mad scientist who transplants animal parts, resulting in strange animalistic changes to his behavior.

The Animal
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Luke Greenfield
Screenplay by	Tom Brady Rob Schneider
Story by	Tom Brady
Produced by	Barry Bernardi Carr D'Angelo Todd Garner
Starring	Rob Schneider Colleen Haskell John C. McGinley Guy Torry Edward Asner
Cinematography	Peter Lyons Collister
Edited by	Jeff Gourson Peck Prior
Music by	Teddy Castellucci
Production companies	Revolution Studios Happy Madison Productions
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date	June 1, 2001(2001-06-01)
Running time	83 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$47 million
Box office	$84.7 million

Produced byAdam Sandler's production companyHappy Madison Productionsin association withRevolution Studios,The Animalwas released byColumbia Picturesin the United States on June 6, 2001. The film received negative to mixed reviews.

Plot

Marvin Mange is an evidence clerk at the local Elkerton police precinct who dreams of becoming an officer like his late father. However, he repeatedly fails the physical examination. Marvin receives little respect from the populace and is especially tormented by Sergeant Doug Sisk. He is smitten withenvironmentalistRianna Holmes but fumbles on a first encounter with her.

While alone at the station, Marvin receives an emergency call; with no officers available, he responds himself. While on the way, he drives off a cliff and is grievously injured. However, he is rescued by Dr. Wilder, a mad scientist, who saves his life by replacing his damaged body parts with animal organs. Days later, Marvin, unaware of what happened, resumes his normal life but discovers that he can now perform extraordinary physical feats and possesses keen animal-like instincts.

While visiting his friend Miles at an airport, Marvin sniffs out and apprehends a man attempting to smuggle drugs in his rectum. The event garners positive media attention and Marvin is promoted to full-fledged police officer assigned under Sisk.

Over several days, Marvin awakens from bouts of sleepwalking, hearing subsequent reports of attacks in the night being attributed to a savage beast. Wilder introduces himself to Marvin, cautioning him of his rising animalistic urges as side-effects of the operation. Despite continued predicaments and embarrassments caused by his instinctual animal behaviors, Marvin's abilities allow him to excel as an officer and bond with Rianna. However, Marvin is questioned after a brutal attack on a cow; apolice sketchimplicates Marvin as the culprit. Marvin is subsequently placed on leave.

Afraid of what he has become, Marvin barricades himself inside his home. Rianna arrives to comfort Marvin and the two spend the night together. The following morning, the police raid Marvin's home when they suspect him of mauling a hunter. Marvin escapes and flees into the woods. An armed mob headed by Sisk is formed, while Marvin's friends Miles and Fatty seek to warn him. Marvin encounters Wilder who confides the existence of another patient who had undergone the same procedure; he suspects the other patient is the real culprit.

Sisk's lone pursuit of Marvin results in a near-fatal fall into a chasm, but he is saved by the latter. Despite this, Sisk holds Marvin at gunpoint, but he is suddenly killed by Rianna; revealed to be Wilder's other patient. Rianna confesses that she was responsible for the hunter attack, justifying her actions in protecting an orphanedturkey vultureshe reared and released back into the wild. The mob arrives, threatening to kill Marvin. Miles makes a false confession to being the beast to protect Marvin and Rianna. Due to the racial implications in prosecuting Miles, a Black American, the mob casually pardons him.

One year later, Marvin and Rianna have married, starting a family and opening an animal sanctuary. While watching television, they witness Dr. Wilder being awarded theNobel Prizefor his transplantation procedure.

Cast

• Rob Schneideras Marvin, a police evidence clerk
• Colleen Haskellas Rianna, an animal activist
• John C. McGinleyas Sgt. Sisk, a police sergeant of the Elkerton Police Department
• Edward Asneras Chief Wilson, the elderly chief of the police department
• Michael Catonas Dr. Wilder, a mad scientist
• Louis Lombardias Fatty, a fellow police cadet at the police department
• Guy Torryas Miles, an airport security guard
• Scott Wilsonas the unnamed Mayor of Elkerton
• Michael Papajohnas Patrolman Brady

Additionally,Philip Daniel Bolden,Megan Harvey,Mitch Hollemanportray evidence room kids.Fred Stollercameos as a news reporter.Noel Gugliemicameos as a gang leader andNorm Macdonaldas a gang member.Adam Sandlerplays a townie, along withJohn FarleyandBrianna Brownwho are part of the angry mob.Wes Takahashi,former animator and visual effects supervisor forIndustrial Light & Magic,makes a cameo appearance as a news reporter at Chief Wilson's press conference.Cloris LeachmanandHarry Dean Stantonmake uncredited cameos.

Production

The script was originally sold toWalt Disney Pictures,who had placed the film into turnaround under new management and sold the script toRevolution Studios.

Reception

Box office

The Animaldebuted on June 1, 2001, grossing $19.6 million U.S. in its opening weekend (#3 behindShrekandPearl Harbor). With a production budget of $47 million, the movie grossed $84,772,742 internationally.

Critical response

On thereview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoes,30% of 84 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "While less offensive and more charming than recent gross-humored comedies,The Animalis still rather mediocre. "Metacritic,which uses aweighted average,assigned the film a score of 43 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.Audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film a grade B+.

Kevin Thomas of theLos Angeles Timescalled it "An outrageous and imaginative summer comedy." Robert Koehler ofVariety magazinewrote: "The Animal is never more nor less than stupid, but stupid in ways that deliver goofiness rather than rampant humiliation."

Peter Travers ofRolling Stonedescribed it as "an Adam Sandler reject" and wondered how this "raunchy innuendo wrapped in a PG-13 rating" got past the censors.

Controversy

Despite mostly negative critical reaction, at the time of its releasefilm criticDavid Manninggave the film critical praise. In late 2001, Manning was revealed to be a fictitious character created bySonyto fake publicity for the film. At the time, Sony claimed that the error was due to a layout artist who entered 'dummy text' into print advertisements during their design, which was accidentally never replaced with real text.

Sequel

In October 2022, it was announced a sequel is in development. In addition to reprising his role from the first film,Rob Schneiderwill also serve as director and utilize a script that he co-wrote with his wife Patricia Schneider and Jamie Lissow. Schneider will also serve as a producer on the movie alongside Michael McConnell. The project will be a joint-venture production between Content Partners,Revolution Studios,MarVista Entertainment,Zero Gravity Management, andTubi Original Films.Intended to be released viastreamingas an exclusiveTubimovie, the project is near being officiallygreen-litby the associated film studios.Principal photographycommenced in early-2023, with its tentative release which was scheduled for later that year but is currently delayed.

External links

• The AnimalatIMDb