My Movie Review on George of the Jungle (1997)
Aloha, Kemosabes.
This is your friendly film, TV show, and episode reporter here with another review.
Today, I'm gonna give you guys my take of Disney's "George of the Jungle".
Originally, I intended on starting this review off with a summary of the film. But, I felt that it was too complicated to say anything other than that it's a live-action adaption of the cartoon series and comics of the same name, starring Brendan Fraser in the title role and co-starring John Cleese, Thomas Haden Church, and Leslie Mann.
In all seriousness, this film is another that I fondly grew up with since childhood. I've been interested in doing an analysis of it for quite some time, so I figured to myself, "Hey, what better time to do it than now?"
And let me just say that, even today, this film's what I find to be one of the best Disney comedies ever! Also, despite not being acquainted with the cartoon and comics the film was based on, I have a feeling that this is something fans of it will be pleased with.
For instance, the direction by Sam Weisman, the story by Dana Olsen, and the screenplay by Olsen and Audrey Wells, were awesome!
A big thing I loved about the movie was that it had this incredible ability to not take itself too seriously while nevertheless being genuine and wholesome. The comedy throughout the film was hilarious, because each joke was executed so well that it was hard not to laugh. Along with that, the film contained a heart and passion that made it irresistible in more ways than one, the particular booster being the developing romance between George and Ursula. The hand-drawn animation used at the opening was entertaining too, having an amazing comic book style and a significant sense of bouncy fun.
The performances of the cast, casting, characters, and character development were brilliant as well. The performers took on their parts like they were born for them, and the amount of personality, emotion, and comedic-flavor they incorporated into their characters was hysterically enjoyable. The best part was that their portrayals managed to help their characters be alive and fully-realized while still fitting with the film's tone and sense of laughable ridiculousness. The characters themselves had dynamic development throughout the film.
If I had to pick what performers stood out to me the most in terms of sheer awesomeness, it would be Brendan Fraser as George, John Cleese as Ape, and Keith Scott as the Narrator. Plus, the characters of Kip, N'Dugo, and Baleto were quite the scene-stealers despite how minor the characters were, and Thomas Haden Church certainly did know how to make something fun out of a snob like Lyle van de Groot despite the character himself not being very likable.
Finally, the music by Marc Shaiman was a marvelous treat. His melodies matched the film's cartoony and comedic tone perfectly, and they were strong enough to get audiences to feel like boogying down and to tug at the heart. Plus, the film's rendition of "George of the Jungle" by Presidents of the United States of America and the use of Johnny Clegg's "Dela (I Know Why the Dog Howls at the Moon)" made this movie all-the-more excellent to watch.
In the end, "George of the Jungle" is a film that provides a rollicking good time. It's ridiculous and funny in the most joyful way possible, and it's also one of the best live-action films based on a cartoon and comic series ever. I'd definitely recommend this movie over the live-action Scooby-Doo movie any day, that's for sure.
So, I rate Disney's "George of the Jungle" five out of five stars.
