George of the Jungle

A lot of movies have been fashioned after cartoons, but not all of them are successful. "George of the Jungle" is one of the few that score a hit in that department. The movie captures the slapstick feel of the original cartoon. Brendan Fraser plays his part well, as the dimwitted but lucky George. And I can't really imagine a different voice for the ape named Ape than that of John Cleese!

Big screen adaptation of the much beloved cartoon character recounts how George (admirably played with affable density by Brendan Fraser) met his wife Ursula (played by the adorable Leslie Mann). The only thing standing between them being Ursula's mom (played by Holland Taylor), Ursula's obnoxious fiance Lyle (Thomas Haden Church) and poacher duo. Helping George is his loyal elephant/dog Shep, the toucan, and the Ape Named Ape (voiced with biting cynicism by John Cleese).

Yeah it's not great cinema but hey, it's not a misfire either. It's funny most of the time and it shows that Fraser has cornered the affable stranger in a strange land market. Very few actors can play characters who are essentially idiots without losing audience sympathy or credibility, but somehow Fraser manages to do it.

Best gags include include the smart ass narrator, George getting hyped up on coffee, the women at Ursula's party fawning over George's deep spiritual connection with animals, George swinging into various objects (most notably the San Francisco bridge sequence) and George's climatic battle with the poachers.

"My noble kinsmen, thou has served me well. Now stand aside while Shep doth dispatch these villains." - George speaking ape

George of the Jungle is a seriously goofy film. A slapstick live-action summertime cartoon aimed directly at young kids. One might be tempted to review it with bumpers; because it's for kids, give it a break. But George of the Jungle is better than that. It's a smart, witty family comedy, bursting with charm and good cheer. It may be silly, but it's a real film, with real filmmaking qualities, and a real heart.

The movie is based on the short-lived 1960s Jay Ward cartoon of the same name, but the words 'based on' are misleading. George of the Jungle takes the basic vibe (and banging theme song) from the show for use in an original comedic tale of a meathead Tarzan knockoff (Brendan Fraser) and the wholesome romance that sparks between he and Leslie Mann's big city heiress, Ursula. In the way is her slime ball fiancé Lyle (Thomas Haden Church) and the requisite 90s goon partners who want to capture the swinging white ape. The premise is excellent comedic fodder. Early jungle shenanigans are great fun, showcasing a confident, free-wheeling slapstick spirit. Writers Dana Olsen and Audrey Wells are unbound to the lazy conventions of the family comedy, instead having an obvious blast with inside jokes, fourth wall breaking narration, and knowing winks to the parents, before that became cliche unto itself. And of course there's the pratfalls too.

But better than that is the fish-out-of-water turn the film takes when George is taken to San Francisco. George of the Jungle separates itself from its contemporary self aware live-action cartoons (a big craze in the late 90s and early aughts) with a downright charming love story at its center. Brendan Fraser and Leslie Mann are doing deceptively impressive work as the puppy lovers. Fraser gives a role broader than a barn door an amazingly lovable sweetness. Almost any other actor on the planet would be an abrasive embarrassment as the sculpted dork. Fraser is adorable. His goofy naïveté is more naturally enchanting than maybe any rom com lead I've seen. Mann, on the other end, is equal to Fraser's masterful clown act. She's a winsome presence as the uncommonly cute city girl who falls for George. Here's another tricky acting challenge, trying to straddle the line between cartoon character and real girl. She might have been a disaster if she pushed too far in either direction, but she turns out wonderful.

Wonderful. Apply the word to everything about George of the Jungle. It's a movie I have cherished since the days watching it religiously with my cousin and brother on my Grandma's ancient VCR. Some of my most beloved memories are attached to Sam Weisman's innocent little kid's flick (I'll proudly admit to tightly lacing up a pair of Nikes and running shirtless through the middle school football practice field like George through the African savanna). Nostalgia is a powerful drug. It's the primary reason for George of the Jungle's spot among my top 10 all-time favorites. But nostalgia is not all this delightful film has going for it. Squint your eyes, and between all the hilarious absurdities, the apes named "Ape" that sound like John Cleese, the elephants that play fetch, the "Oo oo, ee ee, tookie tookie"s, you'll find genuine sweetness. A real air of good-humored joy. I'm always surprised that such a goofy, screwball adventure picture would end up feeling so impressive, but George of the Jungle is really that good at what it does. I could call it "a very funny live-action comedy, with a playful stupidity that delighted the kid in me, and a core of clever wit that tickled my adult sensibilities too", but that wouldn't tell the whole story. I see a more special quality in this colorful entertainment. A sense of truthfully felt innocence. Most childhood favorites don't stand up to adult scrutiny. George of the Jungle does one better. It keeps growing in my appreciation as the years pass.

88/100

Thumbs up to the director and the stars of George of the Jungle. They have made one of the funniest children's films that you will ever see. You know that they had a great time making it because it's clearly evident on the screen. George of the Jungle is simply just a Tarzan parody. (Ape-man meets girl, falls for girl, leaves for city, returns to jungle). But the predictable plot doesn't destroy the performances and the movie is peppered with some laugh out loud jokes.

Of course the special effects are impressive - a talking ape, an elephant that thinks he's a dog - but it's the humans that steal the show. Fraser is fantastic as George - he is one of the most talented actors out there at the moment - though this film doesn't test his range much, he shows a nice comic flair. Mann is a lovable foil for our hero, though her squeaky voice is at times too cute. None of the other characters disappoint. Both Mann's parents are great in supporting roles and Lyle as Mann's nasty fiance is sensational.

Kids will love this. Adults, I think will find a lot to enjoy in it also, but don't bring along any cynics. They'll miss out on all the fun!!

Years after a plane crash in the heart of Africa saw him separated from his parents as a baby, young George has been brought up by the animals, specifically his friend Ape (who is an ape). Many decades have gone by when George's quiet existence is interrupted by a group of explorers and their guides. When two of the party get attacked by a lion George is forced to intervene and carries the unconscious Ursula back to his tree house. As her boyfriend tries to track down the mysterious "white ape", George and Ursula get to know one another.

Opening with a cartoon opening sequence and a wonderfully absurd and catchy theme song, the switch to live action doesn't affect the tone of the film at all as it remains as silly as the opening. Of course in many ways this is a problem because the whole thing is very silly and you really need to buy into it to stop yourself being annoyed by it. But if you do get into it then it is actually quite a fun little piece of nonsense that can be watched in mixed groups of adults and children. The material is very obvious but the knowing humour and cartoon-style delivery make it work on this level and although I laughed only once or twice I generally found the energy of the film quite engaging. The plot is not really important but it does just about enough to hold the whole thing together.

The cast are very much secondary to the whole air of the piece but they do well to buy into it. It is strange to see Fraser in this now as he has since been a "good actor" and also an "action star", but here he is a good sport and takes to the role pretty well even if he is found wanting in anything other than daft moments. Mann is obvious and lacks the material to have a good time. Church is the butt of many a joke and wears it well, matching the material and tone. Cleese is always welcome and is amusing while minor support from Taylor and Roundtree is good fun. Scott's narration sets the tone well and he has nice lines to deliver.

Overall this is a very silly film that will annoy anyone who doesn't get into the right mindset really early on. However to those that enter its own daffy universe, it is actually quite good fun – unrelentingly childish and silly, it does have a cartoony energy to it that somehow manages to work, producing a film that will please children and some adults.