George of the Jungle
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 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.