GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE

1997, Walt Disney Pictures

Live action

Rating: PG

Approx. 92 mins.

THE STORY:

Baby George (Brendan Fraser) is lost in the jungle in a plane crash, and raised by a highly intellectual gorilla (John Cleese). Years go by, and more visitors come to the jungle: rich American heiress Ursula Stanhope (Leslie Mann), her smarmy, ill-intentioned fiance Lyle (Thomas Haden Church) and his dimwitted entourage.

When George rescues Ursula from a lion she joins him in his tree-house and he begins to endear himself to her. Lyle's malevolent side gets the better of him and he ends up in jail, but not before accidentally shooting George. Ursula then jets George to San Francisco to get him the best medical care possible. Hilarity ensues as George confronts the big city and its high society. 

Meanwhile, back in Africa, the poachers who were accompanying Lyle manage to capture George's gorilla father. When George gets the news, he immediately sets off to rescue Ape. Ursula follows and the two manage to free Ape. Lyle reappears eager to marry Ursula, but, ultimately, the good guy wins the girl.

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• stupid
• ass

VIOLENCE:

• there is some shooting and fighting, but it is all very over-the-top or suggested rather than explicit
• narrator makes clear at the outset that no one dies and there are just some 'booboos'

TEACHING POINTS:

• follow your heart
• good triumphs over evil

THE UPSHOT:

This was a hit with the adults and the 5 year-old in the room. It is silly and absurd and fun. It shares a lot with Dudley Do-Right beyond Brendan Fraser, but where the latter falls a bit flat, George of the Jungle is well-crafted.

What a change to watch a movie in which the male lead is scantily-clad and oiled up while the female lead is always fully clothed. While those who admire the male form will likely be impressed by Brendan Fraser's, the film is in no way overtly sexual or inappropriate for kids. 

4/5