Parents' Guide to

George of the Jungle

By Kelly Kessler, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Live-action take on popular tale is family fun.

Movie PG 1997 91 minutes
George of the Jungle Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 12 parent reviews

mattpmilburn
mattpmilburn Parent of 4 and 7-year-old
February 17, 2023
age 4+
doctora
doctora Parent of 6-year-old
September 17, 2022
age 6+

More of a dud, but Fraser and the narration save it

This only works because Fraser is so charming and because the film knows what it is and the narrator reminds us of that repeatedly. It is the film's only saving graces. They took the best parts of the comic and tried to include them in this film and it was an admirable job. I think I would have liked to see Tom Slick and Super Chicken make a cameo though...just saying.
See all 12 parent reviews

What's the Story?

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?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (12):
Kids say (8):

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about respect for other cultures and feelings of pride. Why are Ursula's parents hesitant about letting George into San Francisco high society?

  • How is the ape's treatment similar to the ways in which George is treated?

  • Why does Ursula accept George?

  • Why does Lyle reject him?

Movie Details

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