Review of George of the Jungle (1997) by Michael H — 27 Apr 2012

Based on the 1967 animated series created by Jay Ward and Bill Scott (The men responsible for Rocky & Bullwinkle and Cap'n Cruch) This live-action adaption made 30 years later follows the story of how George meets his beloved Queen of the Jungle, Ursula.

The film starts with an cartoon opening sequence, a tribute to it's animated predecessor. The theme tune telling the story of how a young boy named George was on a plane which crashed into the dense Jungles of Bukuvu. Befriending a variety of wild animals. Namely, his best friend and 'brother' An overly intellegant Ape named Ape, voiced by John Cleese and his trusted "great big peanut loving poochie" Shep...the elephant. And setting up George's penchant for swing on vines into trees while onlookers shout "Watch out for that tree!" a kind of catchphrase for the franchise. Once the live-action kicks in, the cartoonish slapstick humour and sound effects still remain, with a Narrator who often breaks the fourth wall, interacting with characters, and George himself breaking the fourth wall often talking to the camera.

The film starts with Ursula Stanhope, played by Leslie Mann, hiking through the Bukuvu jungles with her guide Kwame. Soon after Ursuala's fiance Lyle Van de Groot, portrayed by Acadamy Award winning Thomas Haden Church, manages to track down Ursuala and accompany her to Ape Mountain. Dragging Ursula into the jungle alone, Lyle soon becomes confronted by a Lion, as he flees, he falls unconscious leaving Ursuala alone with the lion. Even with the shortest and most basic character introduction, Lyle is already obviously not a likable character. Mocking the guides, Bring poachers along with him who seem intent of capturing the legendary "white ape" of Ape Mountain and of course, putting his wife-to-be in a situation leaving her face to face with a wild Lion.

Luckily, George of the Jungle comes to her rescue, in the form of Brendan Fraser. Swinging face first into a tree.

George is friends to all animals in the jungle, often helping them with their problems. His messenger, A Toucan referred to as the Tooky Tooky bird (called such due to his distinct call "Ah Ah Ee Ee Tooky Tooky") contacts George whenever an animal is in need.

George of the Jungle is a family movie with plenty of laughs. George's mating techniques, which he learnt from Ape the Ape is a great example of some the comedy. And some of the sceens in America have some nice stunt work which modern films just seem to be missing due to the abilities of CGI.

In Conclusion, This 1997 adaption of George of the Jungle is an entertaining, if not entirely mature, family comedy wth an overlaying moral. Despite advertisty, you should always just be yourself. As George himself says "Sometime George smash into tree. And sometime George fall out of treehouse. But not feel stupid. Something good always happen later. George just lucky I guess.".