I was very surprised when this movie debuted, as the reviews were generally quite good. And, since I had kids who were seven and three at the time, I took them to see this film. Unfortunately, while they liked it, I thoroughly hated it and felt that the film was designed almost exclusively for kids or those with very low standards. The problem was that Brandon Frasier was NOT enough to carry the film--even with the assistance of John Cleese as his best friend. And to make matters worse, the writing was just stupid and awful. The original George of the Jungle cartoons were pretty bad and it's a shame that this film didn't do much to improve on this. This film is strictly for young kids, as even teens will most likely think that this is a hokey mess.

What can I say? An entertaining and fun movie. It is however a little too overlong, Thomas Haden Church is underused and some of the story leans towards the predictable side of things. However, it is very nice to look at, the scenery is colourful and the sets are splendid. Even the cinematography is very good. The music is fun and catchy, it is probably just me but after seeing this film I have had the main title song stuck in my head for days. The script is witty and quotable and the jokes are funny. And then the performances really do add to the sense of fun. Brendan Fraser gives a very likable lead performance, and Leslie Mann is appealing as Ursula. As the intellectual ape "Ape", John Cleese is fitfully amusing. But the star of the show is the sardonic and hilarious narration from Keith Scott. Overall, a fun and entertaining movie, not perfect, but I recommend it. 7/10 Bethany Cox

George (Brendan Fraser) was lost in a plane crash in central Africa as a baby. He grows up with his animal friends talking gorilla Ape and Shep the elephant. Twenty five years later, heiress Ursula Stanhope (Leslie Mann) is on a safari. She is annoyed by the arrival of her fiancé Lyle Van de Groot (Thomas Haden Church) who is traveling with poachers Max (Greg Cruttwell) and Thor (Abraham Benrubi). George rescues Ursula from a lion and brings her back to his home. Lyle finds them and shoots George. Lyle is sent to African prison. Ursula takes George back to San Francisco. Her mother (Holland Taylor) refuses to accept the jungle man.

Brendan Fraser is essentially redoing Link from Encino Man. This is an one-joke character and he's does the one-joke great. The section I like the most is on the bridge. The rescue was fun and everybody gets to say "Watch out for that...!" The narration is reminiscent of the cartoon. The plot created around this character isn't that compelling. It can't expand beyond the animated shorts. I also think George needs to be dumber for him to be funny.