George of the Jungle (PG, 1997)

The live-action GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE has George (Brendan Fraser) being whisked from the jungle to San Francisco. Abandoned as a baby in the wilds of the jungle, George, with the help of his talking ape mentor (John Cleese), grows to up swinging on (or into) trees, cavorting with monkeys, and remains ignorant of the existence of other humans, especially girls. A chance meeting with Ursula (Leslie Mann) leads to a series of misadventures -- the arrest of Ursula's nasty fiancé (Thomas Hayden Church), a trip for George to the urban jungle of San Francisco, and the capture of the talking ape. Can George capture Ursula's heart? Will the ape become a Vegas sideshow? Can George save the day?

This is a charming and entertaining film. With a buff Frasier, a gaggle of frolicking and high-fiving monkeys, nasty society folks, and various silly/charming jungle animals, the film provides good, clean silliness. Lovers of the cartoon may not find their sensibilities offended, either, as the film stays relatively true to its feel.

The movie includes charming performances by Mann (Big Daddy), Church (Wings, Sideways), Holland Taylor (It's a Living, The L-Word) as Ursula's nasty mother, and Richard Roundtree (Shaft) as the jungle guide.

Studio: Buena Vista
Director: Sam Weisman
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Leslie Mann, Thomas Haden Church
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 91 minutes
Theatrical release: July 18, 1997
DVD release: December 2, 1997
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: crude humor and mild violence, language and sensuality