FROM the streets of San Francisco to the backwoods of California, the funky vet turns Dr Love in this sequel to the 1998 hit.

Eddie Murphy returns as John Dolittle. He can still talk to the animals and keep his head above water on the family front as well. He's got more patients than ever, but he needs a challenge - and something more substantial than offered by the pizza delivery boy (rapper Lil' Zane), the boyfriend of his daughter Charisse (Raven-Symon).

Among the queue of creatures waiting at the Doc's door one night is a rocky racoon demanding Dolittle come and visit the God Beaver out in the woods as he has to make the Doc an offer he can't refuse - save the forest from destruction and be assured of the support of the animal kingdom for life.

The only way to keep his end up is for Dolittle to find a mate for the last remaining Pacific Western Bear in the woods - and the only mate he can find is a performing circus bear called Archie. Bears raised in captivity rarely take to life in the wild so Dolittle has his work cut out convincing Archie he is a real woods bear and getting the female, Ava, to accept him as a mate.

Meanwhile, his own love life ain't too hot; and his dog Lucky is struggling to get it on with a local wolf.

Does it all turn out right in the end? Do bears s*** in the woods?

It all rattles along quite pleasantly. There are plenty of funny lines - more than in the first film - and Murphy exudes a charming screen presence. Celebrity animal voices include Lisa Kudrow and an uncredited Arnold Schwarzenegger; while the support cast headed by Kevin Pollak and Jeffrey Jones makes the best of the titbits thrown from Murphy's top table which he shares with the animals.

Thoroughly inoffensive summer fare, then.

NICK CHURCHILL