George of the Jungle 1997

Watch out!

5.61 / 10   2005 vote(s)
PG
Adventure Comedy Family Romance

Deep in the African jungle, a baby named George, the sole survivor of a plane crash, is raised by gorillas. George grows up to be a buff and lovable klutz who has a rain forest full of animal friends: Tookie, his big-beaked toucan messenger; Ape, a witty talking gorilla; and Shep, a peanut-loving pooch of an elephant. But when poachers mess with George's pals, the King Of Swing swings into action.

Release Date 1997-07-15
Runtime 1h 32m
Directors Sam Weisman, Thomas E. Ackerman, K.C. Colwell, Xochi Blymyer, Steve Boyum, Steve Boyum, Darrell Woodard
Producers Jon Avnet, David Hoberman, Jordan Kerner, Lou Arkoff, C. Tad Devlin, Terry Austin, Paula M. Endara
Writers Audrey Wells, Dana Olsen, Dana Olsen, Jay Ward

Brendan Fraser as a goofy Tarzan-like ape-man along with sweetie Leslie Mann

An expedition to the heart of the Dark Continent discovers a white man (Brendan Fraser) raised by apes. Captured by the wild man, it doesn’t take long for the heiress from San Francisco (Leslie Mann) to see that George is a better man than her arrogant, condescending fiancé (Thomas Hayden Church).

“George of the Jungle” (1997) is an over-the-top spoof of Tarzan inspired by the 60’s cartoon which I’ve never seen. You have to be able to appreciate fun, goofy humor to enjoy this quirky family comedy/adventure. It helps that Fraser is both likable and amusing in the eponymous role (I should add that he really inspires guys to improve their fitness). Meanwhile Mann is as sweet & beautiful as Bernadette Peters in her prime. Everything clicks for great entertainment; I laughed through practically the whole flick.

The film runs 1 hour, 32 minutes and was shot in Kaua'I & Maui, Hawaii, and the San Francisco Bay area, California, as well as other parts of that state (Middle Fork American River, Stockton & Los Angeles).

GRADE: A-

Wuchak