Osmosis Jones (2001)

Frank (Bill Murray) works at the zoo.  Today, his daughter (Elena Franklin) is advising him on improving his diet and fitness.  He is less than eager.  Instead, he gets in a fight with a monkey over his hardboiled egg.  Despite the monkey having put the egg in its mouth and the egg then falling to the ground of the monkey enclosure, Frank eats it anyway.  His daughter is disgusted.  Meanwhile, in Frank's mouth, Osmosis Jones (Chris Rock), a white blood cell, seeks to intercept a variety of germs that hitched a ride on the egg.  This goes badly as the germs get sucked into the lungs by an ill-timed yawn.  Despite orders to return to his station, Osmosis keeps chasing a fleeing germ.  A poorly-aimed shot from his sidearm causes a massive leg cramp that leaves Frank sprawled on the doorstep of his house.  The politics of the cells that inhabit Frank are explored.  There is Mayor Phlemming (William Shatner) who is entirely focused on a re-election campaign against the upstart Tom Colonic (Ron Howard), who thinks that steps should be taken to improve Frank's health.  As it turns out, something far more serious was in that egg: Thrax (Lawrence Fishburne).  He is out to kill Frank while convincing everyone that he is just a common cold.  The character of Thrax is played excellently and one of the most intimidating animated villains around.

Overall, it's a mixed bag.  William Shatner is absolutely awesome as the mayor.  His continued efforts to avoid dealing with Frank's growing illness lest it damage his re-election chances are hilarious.  Rock and David Hyde Pierce - who plays Drixenol the Cold Pill - are great together.  As a peculiar animated buddy cop film, it works.  What doesn't work so well is the live action.  Bill Murray is phoning it in.  Here is a man whose wife died and whose daughter is concerned about his health and he is actively pursuing the most unhealthy lifestyle he can.  Sure, it's meant to be funny, but it didn't play that way.  Though I generally like Chris Elliott, he is also weak in his role.  He's matching Murray's minimalist performance.  Really, of the live action parts, Elena Franklin and Molly Shannon are the only ones making an effort.

Just okay.  Worth seeing Rock, Fishburne, and Shatner.