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Brendan Fraser, Leslie Mann, Thomas Haden Church, Richard Roundtree, John Cleese ... see more see more... , Greg Cruttwell , Abraham Benrubi , Holland Taylor , Kelly Miller , John Bennett Perry , Keith Scott

Jay Ward's fondly-remembered cartoon series about a klutzy king of the jungle gets the big-screen, live-action treatment in this comedy from Walt Disney Pictures. A young boy named George becomes lost... read more read more... in the jungles of the African nation of Bukuvu following a plane crash, where he's rescued and raised to manhood by an articulate ape called Ape (voice of John Cleese). George grows to become a strapping adult (played by Brendan Fraser) who is cheerful and good-hearted but not terribly bright, not to mention his nasty habit of running into trees while swinging on vines from one part of the jungle to another. Ursula Stanhope (Leslie Mann), an heiress from San Francisco, travels to Bukuvu for a safari, both to satisfy her thirst for adventure and because she's trying to get away from the snooty Lyle Van Der Groot (Thomas Haden Church), whom she is engaged to marry even though she doesn't like him very much. Lyle follows Ursula to Bukuvu, hoping to catch up with her and locate the legendary White Ape of the Jungle; when Ursula becomes stranded and is rescued by George, Lyle is determined to rescue her from the savage ape man, even though George is a greater threat to himself than anyone else. George finds himself infatuated with the lovely Ursula, and he hopes to win her heart, even though he's a bit rusty on the particulars of the human courtship ritual (Ape tries to help by lending him a copy of "Coffee, Tea, or Me?"). We also get to meet George's faithful pet Shep, an elephant who seems to have gotten the idea that he's a Cocker Spaniel. Blaxploitation legend Richard Roundtree also appears as Bukuvu dignitary Kwame. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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47% liked it

482,128 ratings

Critics

56% liked it

52 critics

PG, 1 hr. 31 min.

Directed by: Sam Weisman

Release Date: July 16, 1997

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DVD Release Date: December 2, 1997

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Stats: 18,135 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (18,135)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    September 15, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    George of the Jungle is decent little live action comedy from Disney. The film is definitely silly, but it manages to bring on good laughs. Brendan Fraser gives a decent performance here, nothing that great. The film is perfect to watch as a family, and it's is a film that will a... read moreppeal to all ages. George of the Jungle is simply put a fun comedy that though is uneven, manages to bring a few laughs. Unfortunately, the film too goofy at times, and that's why the film suffers a bit. The film is decent, but it never really that good to begin with. If you keep your expectation average, then you won't be disappointed. As far as a comedy is concerned, George of the Jungle does work, but at times it's clear that the film struggles to be something better, and doesn't quite get there. The cast do a decent job, and the film fun, but it's one of those films that aren't really memorable. Sure there are some good times to be watching this film, but it never does do anything interesting. The films biggest problem is that it lacks substance to the overall story. There's really nothing that good about the plot and it doesn't do anything really fun. The film is amusing, but you can see that the plot at times doesn't really work. But for what it is, George of the Jungle is a decent time waster; just don't expect anything truly great from this one.
  • DreamExtractor
    August 7, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    Pure crap. Its not funny, interesting, or good, its just stupidity and them thinking its going to be a straight A comedy, and its one of the worst Disney films I have ever seen.
  • murphmann93
    June 24, 2011
    murphmann93
    A childhood favourite and a classic!
  • coollala0910
    May 5, 2011
    coollala0910
    Now that I got my review of "Dudley Do-Right" out of the way, time to look at the best Brendan Fraser adaption of a Jay Ward cartoon. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm talking about "George of the Jungle". This is not only a guilty pleasure of mine, its one of my favorite film that I thi... read morenk I will never grow tired of.

    In this parody of the "Tarzan" story, a young explorer named Ursula travels to Africa with her annoying fiance, Lyle Van De Groot. Ursula can not stand Lyle and then gets her heart nabbed by the muscular, yet clumsy, jungle man, George, a man raised by apes since childhood. Wow, I've never used so many commas in one sentence! George than travels to Ursula's home in San Francisco where he gets a funny taste of our world.

    This is my favorite Brendan Fraser role. I haven't seen "Crash" yet. He really acted like the original cartoon character with his performance. Leslie Mann (It took her years to get where she is now!) is funny and sweet as Ursula and Thomas Haden Church (This is my favorite of his roles) and dim-witted and funny. Even though John Cleese played an ape in this, he still acts goofy and witty and always look like he tries to hide it. That is what I love about Cleese. But my favorite of the supporting cast is the narrator. Witty, random, and always breaking the fourth wall in a good way.

    If a movie is based on a cartoon, its definitely something that should not be taken seriously. The script even sounds like it isn't taking itself seriously and that is what makes the magic of this movie come alive. With its goofiness and memorable cast, "George of the Jungle" is a live action cartoon adaption that works and can easily entertain.

    "I said "awe". A-W-E."
  • ythelastman89
    January 25, 2011
    ythelastman89
    Probably one of the more kooky live action Disney movies. It feels like a cartoon a lot, but in a good way. Brenden Fraser revisits his performance in Encino Man and takes it to the next level. I really like how he was matched against vile Lyle, played flawlessly by Thomas Haden ... read moreChurch. With talking apes and tree swinging action, it's a nutball classic that's mostly comic gold.
  • 3niR
    May 26, 2010
    3niR
    Not bad. Not that funny though.
  • deano
    March 18, 2010
    deano
    Thumbs up! This live-action smashing comedy film based on the characters from the original cartoon TV series is heaps of laugh. The title character is simply just a Tarzan parody.
    The animals are definitely the best. The ape, especially the elephant. Very funny and spectacular! ... read more
    Brendan Fraser is fantastic as George - he is one of the most talented actors out there at the moment - though this film doesn't test his range much, he shows a nice comic flair. Leslie Mann is a lovable foil for our hero, though her squeaky voice is at times too cute.
  • FilmFanatik
    February 23, 2010
    FilmFanatik
    Brendan Fraser playing a role he plays best...brain-dead good guys.
  • fb733768972
    January 14, 2010
    fb733768972
    fantastic fun times that the entire family is sure to enjoy! This is a funny and very original movie!
  • SirPant
    September 28, 2009
    SirPant
    ?Watch out for that tree?! Love the theme music but that?s about it.

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Critic Reviews

Desson Thomson
October 18, 2008
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Surprisingly pleasant. Full Review

Leonard Klady
July 23, 2008
Leonard Klady, Variety

Not quite inspired lunacy, the film has a game, likable quality and strong sequel potential. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
June 18, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

A pleasant surprise, one of the most witty, entertaining family films to come out in some time. Full Review

Liam Lacey
April 12, 2002
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

George George, George of the Jungle. Boom boom BOOM BOOM . . . Oh, please shut up. Full Review

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

There is not a banana's worth of plot in the Dana Olsen and Audrey Wells script to offer narrative nourishment. Full Review

Lawrence Van Gelder
January 1, 2000
Lawrence Van Gelder, New York Times

George of the Jungle may be unsophisticated, but it is enjoyable. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The comedy in George of the Jungle is not sophisticated, but it is frequently audacious and irreverent. Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Part screwball romance, part special-effects adventure. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
January 1, 2000
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

An amiable, highly ingratiating piece of lowbrow entertainment, and the audience of mainly young children and parents I saw it with on Saturday night clearly had a ball. So did I. Full Review

Louis B. Parks
January 1, 2000
Louis B. Parks, Houston Chronicle

What really makes this work is Fraser, who plays it to the hilt.

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    • Max: Thor, didn't I tell you not to wear 20 pounds of black leather in the jungle? Didn't I tell ya?
    • Ape: Ladies and gentlemen I present you The King of the Jungle.
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George of the Jungle Trivia

  • Which movie contains the catchy theme song with the words "watch out for that tree" ?  Answer »
  • George watch out for that tree?  Answer »
  • In what movie did Brendan Fraser refer to his choice of clothing as a "butt-flap"?  Answer »
  • Brendan Fraser plays a klutzy and lovable jungle man in what movie?  Answer »
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