Media Mogul Rod McCain purchases the failing London Marwood Zoo. He demands the zoo raise more profit, so the new zoo director, Rollo Lee, brings in a new "Fierce Creatures Policy" which orders that the park be rid of its cute, cuddly animals and display only "fierce creatures" in order to maximise ticket sales. Rod's son, Vince, plans to take over the zoo with the help of up-and-coming business executive Willa Weston...

Fierce Creatures (1997) was the follow up to 1988's A Fish Called Wand. It's only really linked by the fact that John Cleese plays the brother of the character he played in the first movie (this isn't obvious in the movie, but is explained in the book). Cleese returns, along with Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline and Michael Palin.

Cleese plays Rollo Lee, the new head of the zoo, who really doesn't have a clue what he's doing, but he knows he has to turn around the zoo's finances so that it makes a 20% profit. Curtis plays Willa Weston, who is sent to oversee Lee's management. Kline plays both the Australian Rod McCain, as well as his American son, Vince, who accompanies Weston because he is sexually obsessed with her. Kline turns in two impressive, over the top, performances. And finally, Palin plays one of the zoo's keepers - an annoying know it all. Everyone will know someone exactly like him, which makes his performance all the funnier.

The movie still holds some of its original charm, and for those who aren't fed up of seeing it on TV the crisp Blu-ray print makes it worth picking up.

The only extra is the film's original trailer. While it's not a movie that comes anywhere near close to capturing the magic of A Fish Called Wanda, it's still an enjoyable, if flawed, film.

7

Nick Smithson