George of the Jungle MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -1/2

Based on the 60s cartoon character, GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE comes to life on the big screen. George (Brendan Fraser) is raised from birth by intelligent apes. One day, Ursula (Leslie Mann), a rich socialite from San Francisco, comes traipsing through the jungle on one last adventure before she settles into her boring life with her debutante fianc, Lyle. Lyle chases her down in the jungle and insists on tagging along, so he can get her back to the city as soon as possible. Ursula and Lyle get lost, and a lion approaches. Lyle runs and Ursula barely escapes when George swings from a tree and rescues her. He takes her back to his tree house and cares for her. Unknowingly, he gives her what she has wanted her whole life -- adventure. Meanwhile, Lyle tracks her down and shoots George. Ursula flies George back to San Francisco and tries to get him adjusted to city life. But George cant make the change, and eventually leaves when he receives news that one of his animal friends is in danger. Its quite an adventure as Ursula travels back to Africa to win Georges heart while trying to avoid Lyle. Kids will giggle and holler at the constant slapstick humor, and parents will laugh occasionally as the movie also has some genuinely funny scenes.

George represents innocence and untainted heroism. He genuinely cares for his animal friends and mothers them unselfishly. Ursula is a perfectly pure maiden. She looks for character in a man, not money or status. Despite these redeeming qualities, the movie focuses too much on slapstick violence and crude humor. George frequently slams into trees, slamming his head and whole body. He also falls on several limbs which hit him in the groin. He wrestles a lion like a professional wrestler, and the scene becomes excessively violent. When fighting the bad guys, he relies on repeated punches and groin kicks to defeat them. The movie also contains a closeup of a tripping mans face plunging into a pile of elephant dung, an elephant urinating with great force, and an ape who passes gas for humorous effect. Minor elements in the movie include a reference to joojoo or luck, a possible reference to evolution as George calls his ape friend brother, and partial rear nudity as girls ogle over George when he steps out of a shower.

Preview Reviewer: Jason Shepherd
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521