'George of the Jungle' is one fun goofball movie that most people will love. After all, the movie humor is based off the 1960's cartoon of the same name made by Jay Ward & Bill Scott, the same guys that help made 'the Rocky and Bullwinkle show'. A parody of author, Edgar Rice Burroughs's novel, 'Tarzan of the Apes'; the show and film tells a fish out of water story of an extremely clumsy and dimwitted, wild man named George (Brendan Fraser) trying to live with his wealthy love interest, Ursula (Leslie Mann) in the big city. However, the call of the wild is calling him back, to save the jungle, from some unwanted poachers wanted to capture, his friend/mentor Ape (Voiced by John Cleese). Without spoiling the movie, too much, if this plot sounds familiar, yes, it nearly a carbon copy of the plot of 'Jungle 2 Jungle', also released by Disney on the same year. Honestly, if you take away, most of clever take itself not so serious, self-aware humor from this movie, you're left with a generic somewhat cheesy tiresome plot with bad CGI, and men in badly made ape costumes. Thank goodness, the movie directed by Sam Weisman is so funny, that we can overlook that, and see it for what it is: a light-hearted parody. It's as close to being a live-action cartoon as possible. Surprising, that's a good thing since the plot is so plain. The way the movie was shot in slapstick form remind me, of the Looney Toons shorts with the Roadrunner and the Wyle E. Coyote. As the narrator explains, in this film nobody dies, but they will "get big boo-boos". George smashing into trees is particularly a Running Gag. Even without the dialogue jokes, the physical comedy is that universal. While, yes, the violence might led to kids accidentally hurting themselves emulating moves learned from the film, but I have to say, it's a risk worth taking, because physical comedy in a live action Disney movie has never been so funny. While, yes, there is some cringe-worthy dark moments, like apes wanting to rape the villain, Lyle (Thomas Haden Church) or a bird getting shove in somebody ass. For the most part, the childish slapstick and toilet humor, are used correctly to the point, that it's not too annoying, or offensive to watch. Surprising, most of jokes are not even that low brow. I like how the film has some wily humor to counteract the few amounts of juvenile absurdity. The way the film used cool, 'breaking the fourth wall' moments, risky sexual innuendos, exaggeration narratives, smart wordplay and puns, and some fun surrealism were great. Not only, did those jokes hit the funny bone for adults, but it was clear enough for kids to understand as well. Perhaps, that might turn off, some viewers off, but I do like comedies which the whole family can enjoy together. Also, I like how the actors delivered the jokes, throughout it. Fraser, Cleese, Mann & Thomas Haden Church gave us, some of the best facial reactions ever. I wouldn't call it, the best acting, but it was fine, for what they were given. All of the characters were pretty likable. Nevertheless, I like George the most. He's sweet, soulful, courageous, in touch with his emotions, and spends most of the movie running around in nothing, but a six pack chest and small loincloth. So, it was no surprise that most women love this movie. The title song is catchy, however, I can do, without the flashing light, title opening, after the cartoon, as it can potentially trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. I also can do, without the fake looking locations mixed with the real-life locations. It was a bit distracting. Plus, I didn't like the whole shooting in the head gag. It probably should had been change. Better yet, have it cut like the delete scenes, where George saving Ursula from a quicksand pit, George exploring the mall and Lyle returning from jail with a shaved head and eye patch. It was not funny. It was a bit disturbing. Still, it's weird that everyone thought this movie was going to flop, but its things like what I listed, that made this movie into a box-office success and relatively well-received with critics. Even Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert love this film. Indeed, Disney presents the smash hit comedy that families everywhere went bananas over! Overall: For a movie that clearly should've been dead on arrival, it's actually very enjoyable. Kids love it, adults seem to like it, what's not to enjoy? In the end, go ahead and swing on it. It's that fun to watch. Highly recommended.
