From Deseret News archives:
George of the Jungle
Film review
A cheerfully silly spoof of "Tarzan," "George of the Jungle" is based on the cartoon series developed by the creators of "Rocky & Bullwinkle" a generation or two ago.
It isn't necessary to have a working knowledge of the cartoon to "get" the live-action version, though it might help to have a sense of humor somewhere south of a 5-year-old's.
The film is a hit-and-miss affair with emphasis on the latter as it takes an off-the-wall approach, with an unfortunate emphasis on dumb slapstick that often employs flatulence, urination and male characters getting kicked in the crotch.
On the other hand, it does have Brendan Fraser as an agreeably loopy George. He's delightful, playing the role as a buffed-up deadpan dope (can you say "Encino Man"?), who is naive, sweet and amusing, with the Doctor Dolittle ability to talk to the animals. (Except that his Johnny Weissmuller "Me Tarzan, you Jane" manner is less articulate than some of the animals'.)
And, of course, George is frequently admonished by those around him to "Watch out for that tree!" or whatever else that might be within striking distance of his swinging vine. (A gag that wears out its welcome rather quickly.)
The filmmakers have kept "George of the Jungle" remarkably faithful to the original cartoon, right down to having a dramatic narrator (Keith Scott), who occasionally interrupts things to talk to the actors or comment on the "really expensive waterfall set."
The story follows the "Tarzan" formula, explaining in animated form under the credits that George was lost in the jungle as a baby and was raised by animals. George's best friend and mentor is an ape named "Ape" (voiced by John Cleese), who reads, plays chess and speaks the King's English. George also has an elephant named "Shep" that thinks it's a dog (and performs as such, thanks to some startling computer animation).
The "Jane" of this picture is Ursula (played by helium-voiced Leslie Mann), who is engaged to the wicked Lyle (Thomas Haden Church). Along with a pair of bumbling bad guys (Greg Cruttwell and Abraham Benrubi), they are being led through the jungle by a guide (Richard Roundtree) and a trio of natives who pretend to speak only Swahili. (Some of the film's most amusing gags come from their banter about Lyle, revealed in subtitles.)
The main action centers around George rescuing Ursula from a lion, taking her home to his tree house and eventually traveling with her to San Francisco. (There, one of the film's best visual moments has George rescuing a hung-up hang-glider from the Bay Bridge.)
Despite a few bright moments, however, too much of the film is made up of the kind of flailing manic behavior that passes for slapstick these days, along with the aforementioned vulgarity, which seems wildly inappropriate for a picture aimed at kids or carrying the "Walt Disney" label.
"George of the Jungle" is rated PG for violence (including gunplay), vulgarity and brief partial nudity.
Recent comments
It was phony but funny. The characters were pretty
okay. The...
Marie | April 10, 1999 at 10:31 p.m.
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Leslie Mann, Thomas Haden Church, Holland Taylor, Richard Roundtree, the voice of John Cleese
Find a Movie Theater
- Two American pilots die in Iraq 12:47 a.m.
- Murder suspect is vetran, avid skier 12:47 a.m.
- MLB: Zambrano's mom kidnapped 12:32 a.m.
- Lambert surprisingly tops news 12:25 a.m.
- Philadelphia transit strike ends 12:25 a.m.
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd 12:24 a.m.
- 12 high schools ready for 'The Turf' 12:17 a.m.
- RSL unfazed by conference final 12:17 a.m.
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated 12:17 a.m.
- Today on TV 12:13 a.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
216 - House passes health care bill
202 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
151 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
129 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Thousands protest health bill
103 - Provo company innovating engines
102 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89 - BYU cuts Women's Research Institute
88
Once again we see a young player who signs for guaranteed $ millions and...
Proigram Worked for you, but did not work for me. I would have preferred...
The Obama depression is coming our way. Impeach the fool before he destroys...
At least you can continue preaching to the choir here at Des News. Never...
My candidate won, YOURS LOST! The American people voted for a President who...
this comes across as written by someone who lives their whole life based on...
I'm more worried about who the Jazz will pick with their own lottery pick...
Why would they walk over them? Why didn't they just walk around them?
About as funny as eight years with GWB, Cheney, Rove and the boys. Hopefully...
I actually think you have the most reasonable argument and prediction on...



