George of the Jungle Movie Review 1997

The '60s cartoon hero goes big screen and live-action with Fraser starring as the clumsy (but very hunky) jungle hero. While on safari, socialite Ursula (Mann) falls in love with George and takes him back to San Francisco, leaving behind obnoxious fiancee Lyle (Church). But when poachers capture George's "brother" Ape (voiced by Cleese), he returns to save the day (aided by various jungle companions). Fraser is an appealing lead, and the script is sweetly funny while retaining creator Ward's smart, subversive edge. The stunts are more impressive than you'd usually expect from a cartoon adaptation.

Distribution

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-1120, Toll-free: 800-723-4763, URL: http://www.bvhe.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 91 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Bridges, Jungle Stories, Adapted from Television, Wild Kingdom, Elephants, Monkeyshines, Adapted from a Cartoon, San Francisco, Otherwise Engaged, Africa, Culture Clash, Going Native, Top Grossing Films of 1997, Talking Animals, Monkeyshines

Screenplay

Dana Olsen, Audrey Wells

Cast

Brendan Fraser, Leslie Mann, Thomas Haden Church, Holland Taylor, Richard Roundtree, Greg Cruttwell, Abraham Benrubi, John Bennett Perry, Kelly Miller

Cinematography

Thomas Ackerman

Director

Sam Weisman

Music

Marc Shaiman

Other

John Cleese, Keith Scott

Producer

Jon Avnet, Jordan Kerner, C. Tad Devlin, Walt Disney Pictures, Mandeville Films, Buena Vista