George de la jungle

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

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.

Actually, a lot of fun.

Sure, it's lame. It's supposed to be lame. It pokes fun at itself for being lame. ("George can't die -- he's the hero.") Don't expect great special effects, real Nature, a solid plot, or Oscar-caliber acting. This is mind candy.

In a lot of ways, the plot is like "Titanic" -- nice new boy steals girl away from sleezebag fiancée she's just marrying to please her mother. However, since Ursula ditches Lyle before taking up with George, there's none of the moral bankruptcy that made Titanic such a stinker. "George of the Jungle" has the added benefit of not taking itself seriously.

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!!

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!