Not even the executives at Disney could have predicted the runaway
success of this live-action movie inspired by Jay Ward's goofy 1960s
cartoon character. Not only did George make a killing at the box
office, but Disney's marketing wizards turned it into one of their
best-selling videos. It's hard to begrudge the movie's success, even if
this is the kind of mindless entertainment that caters to the lowest
common denominator. In any case, it's obvious that kids love this movie,
in which the idiotic George (Brendan Fraser) repeatedly swings into
trees and attracts the attention of a lovely jungle explorer (Leslie
Mann) who decides to call off her engagement to a wealthy snob (Thomas
Hayden Church) in favor of the vine-swinging hunk with an elephant named
Shep (that thinks it's a dog) and an ape named Ape (with a proper Brit
voice provided by John Cleese). Filled with slapstick gags and some
funny special effects, the movie can be a bit of a trial for adults, but
it's a hilarious treat for its intended audience. --Jeff Shannon
