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Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey! (G, 2010)

common sense media says

Cross-country caper with mild peril is OK for preschoolers.

parents & educators say
  • 60% say there are positive messages
See all 6 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that some of the fast-moving train scenes present some perilous moments. But what would a road movie be without a little taste of adventure? There are some themes of abandonment and separation from family, but everyone is brought together for a happy ending.

Educational value: As the train passes different cities and states, Ted points out where they are. Geographical landmarks help illustrate these points: the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, the Golden Gate Bridge in California.
Positive messages: Curious George might have the wits of a toddler, but he sure has a big heart. He tries to reunite his elephant friend, Kayla, with her family in California. The Man with the Yellow Hat (aka Ted) concentrates more on his career than on his loved ones. His priorities change in the end, when he realizes how valuable his friends and family are. Decent mixture of gender and race representation among cast members.
Positive role models: Curious George is a good friend to Kayla, trying to help her get home to her family in California. Everyone (except for the misguided Mr. Wolf) tries to help each other when their friends are in need of help.
Violence & scariness: Some perilous scenes where the Man with the Yellow Hat falls from a cliff (but is saved by an elephant), and where he falls out of a moving train. More peril when characters parachute from a plane. Nobody is hurt. Mr. Wolf puts handcuffs on George, Kayla, and the Man with the Yellow Hat, and catches Kayla with a net.
Consumerism: Cell phones and gadgets are a mainstay for the adults in the movie.
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More on Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey!

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

  • Families can talk about imitating behavior. How did Curious George learn about the train station? How did he learn to juggle and do magic tricks? He imitated adults who modeled behavior. Kids imitate behavior too. Here are some resources to illustrate when kids begin imitating adults and how adults can help them to learn appropriate behavior.

  • When Curious George and his friend Kayla get hungry, they reach for fruit, nuts, and fresh bread. Thank goodness, too! Young viewers are bombarded with junk food promotion in the most unlikely places. At least this movie promotes the eating of healthy food. Like Ted says when he eats some fresh berries: "It's like there's a party in my mouth!"

  • Why had Kayla been separated from her family? Did Picadilly know what he was doing when he took her away? Why does George want to help her get back to her family?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Curious George (voiced by Frank Welker) has a wish: he wants to go to the Picadilly Circus. Once he gets his friend, the Man with the Yellow Hat, or Ted, as his human friends call him (voiced by Jeff Bennett), to take him to the circus, he befriends an elephant named Kayla, whom he decides to take home to her family in California. Of course, the circus ringleader, Mr. Picadilly (Tim Curry) is aghast that his elephant has escaped, and Ted is terrified that Curious George has gotten in over his head. George has figured out how to get Kayla on a train to California, and the two of them begin an adventurous ride across the country. But it's not fun-and-games for Mr. Wolf (Jamie Kennedy), the head of security of the theatre from which Kayla was taken. He turns George's innocent adventure into a full-scale kidnapping fiasco, alerting news agencies and police across the nation. How can Ted save the day, while saving his job? Can Kayla find her family? Will George get in trouble? Have fun finding out!

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Beautifully produced (by Ron Howard and Brian Glazer) and lovingly played, this addition to the Curious George oeuvre will please all members of the family. Kids will love the adorable troublemaker, George. Parents will appreciate the self-deprecating humor of Ted ("I've gone from museum director to... boxcar hobo.") While there are some sad moments where abandonment and separation from family might alarm little ones, the reunion at the end gives the impression that good things do happen to good people. Even when those people are little monkeys named George.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Director: Norton Virgien
Cast: Frank Welker, Jamie Kennedy, Tim Curry
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 81 minutes
Theatrical release: February 6, 2010
DVD release: March 2, 2010
MPAA Rating: G
This review was written by Joly Herman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

3
Based on 5 parent & educator reviews:
  • 60% say there are positive messages
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

tiaceleste
parent of 3 year old
2
 
Close Second to the First
The man in the yellow hat lets George get away with more than he should. He may be a monkey but he does need parenting. I think kids watching this who are older might think they can do what George does and it'd be fine. My 2.5 year old loves it though and will watch it over and over. I also do love the music and it's mom and kid friendly.
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helped me decide (12) | had useful details (12) | read my mind (14)
mdpack
parent of 5 and 5 year old
3
 
Fun and easy to watch
My 4 year old thought that the "bad" guy who chases after George and The Man with the Yellow Hat was scary. Overall this was a nice film, it fit in well with the Curious George TV series.
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helped me decide (11) | had useful details (12) | read my mind (10)
AKAmber
parent of 4 year old
3
 
Good, silly fun for even the youngest of audiences.
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helped me decide (11) | had useful details (12) | read my mind (10)
LittleRatersGirl
kid, 13 years old
2
 
I'm older but i enjoyed this movie! It's for anyone! Anything bad that happens is fixed.
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (8)
mmof2
parent of 3 and 4 year old
2
 
Great movie for anyone
Since my daughter was 2 she has watched Curious George and loved him. This was all she could talk about wanting to see. She laughed the whole time at the elephant and she wanted George to help her get home to her family.
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (7)
mozard
parent of 4 year old
4
 
good
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (8)

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