George of the Jungle (1997)

George of the Jungle also starts with a cartoon. It's titles sequence is animated , since it was based on a late 80's early 70's Jay Ward cartoon. But the film soon becomes real. Yet, it's special effects and computer graphics, it's animatronics and sophomoric humor, make it a live action cartoon.

What saves most of this silly fun is Brendan Fraiser in the title role. He's cute and funny. And when he smiles, it's infectious. You even forget that he's done this before in "Encino Man" after about two minutes. The film is really good hearted diversion even if it is a bit slow at points. Kids under 6 or so will get a little bored. But the talking ape, the elephant that thinks he's a dog and George's acrobatic mishaps will keep most involved in the laughter.

Fraiser also has good chemistry with Leslie Mann, his love interest Ursula. She's goofy and cute. Of course, she has to play off of numerous baddies, although light-weight baddies, like Holland Taylor and Thomas Hayden Church. Also in the film are Richard Roundtree and John Cleese, as the voice of the talking ape named Ape.

The film's amusing, even though it gets sloppy and has a stunt double for Fraiser who has red hair and some pretty obvious fakey effects and choppy editing here and there. It's worth the time. Kids will like the animals and the sophomoric sight gags while there is enough adult dialogue and double entendre to keep us older folks laughing. Plus Fraiser is wearing little more than a "butt flap" (his term for a loin cloth) throughout most of the film. That alone is worth the six bucks!

Note:

Directed by Sam Weisman. Written by Dana Olsen and Audry Wells. Music Marc Shaiman.

(Review written in 1997)

Report Card

Script: C

Acting: B

Cinematography\Lighting: C

Special Effects\Make Up: A-

Music: A+

Final Grade: B-