The film serves as a biting parody of Rupert Murdoch-style corporate takeovers. Roger Ebert noted that Cleese essentially channels his "Fawlty Towers" energy into the role of the stressed-out Rollo.
Elements of the script actually date back to a 1967 concept co-written by Terry Jones and Michael Palin , giving it a classic British slapstick feel. What the Critics Say
The plot kicks off when a ruthless media tycoon, (Kevin Kline), acquires the Marwood Zoo and demands a 20% profit margin. To hit this goal, the new director, Rollo Lee (John Cleese), institutes a "Fierce Creatures" policy: only dangerous, man-killing animals are allowed to stay, while the harmless ones are ordered to be put down.
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