GIDDY `GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE' WORTH SWINGING INTO : THE FACTS.Byline: Janet Weeks Daily News Staff Writer ``George of the Jungle'' is a fruity frozen cocktail (complete with paper umbrella and pineapple wedge) served by a winking waiter in a tiki-appointed piano bar piano bar n. A cocktail lounge featuring entertainment by a pianist. . It's campy. It's tipsy fun. It's sweet. And with buff Brendan Fraser prancing about as the King of the Jungle in a mighty tiny loincloth loin·cloth n. A strip of cloth worn around the loins. loincloth Noun a piece of cloth covering only the loins Noun 1. , it's a visual treat, too. Eat your Bat-heart out, George Clooney George Timothy Clooney (May 6, 1961) is an American actor, director, producer and screenwriter who gained fame as the lead doctor in the long-running television drama, ER . Fraser doesn't need a rubber suit. As TV fans will recall, ``George of the Jungle'' started life as a cartoon, a sly Tarzan spoof developed by Rocky and Bullwinkle creator Jay Ward. Like Tarzan, George was abandoned in the jungle as a child and raised by apes. And like Tarzan, George grew up to command the animals in his realm. But in Ward's version, George's gorilla father figure was a genteel talking ape (named Ape) who was the gentleman and scholar that vine-swinging George would never be. George's best friend wasn't Cheetah but Shep, an elephant who thought he was a dog. And Jane was replaced by two look-alike bombshells, Stella and Ursula. The show lasted only four years, and there were only 17 episodes, each only 11 minutes long. Still, the cartoon earned a place in television history with fans of smart satire, who appreciated its borscht-belt humor. Fortunately, the Disney movie based on the cartoon retains all the charm, wit and wacky slapstick slapstick Comedy characterized by broad humour, absurd situations, and vigorous, often violent action. It took its name from a paddlelike device, probably introduced by 16th-century commedia dell'arte troupes, that produced a resounding whack when one comic actor used it to of Ward's creation. There are silly pratfalls (George smacks into more stationary objects than a pinball in a Bally's machine) and sassy sas·sy 1 adj. sas·si·er, sas·si·est 1. Rude and disrespectful; impudent. 2. Lively and spirited; jaunty. 3. Stylish; chic: a sassy little hat. wisecracks, many of them delivered by an off-camera narrator NARRATOR. A pleader who draws narrs serviens narrator, a sergeant at law. Fleta, 1. 2, c. 37. Obsolete. (``Meanwhile, at the expensive waterfall set ...''). There is Shep, who, with the help of computer animation, is a crazy cross between primate and canine. And there is book-toting Ape, with a voice supplied by John Cleese. By the way, don't leave when the movie finishes: During the credits, the movie breaks away briefly to show Ape performing ``My Way'' in Las Vegas complete with sequined se·quin n. 1. A small shiny ornamental disk, often sewn on cloth; a spangle. 2. A gold coin of the Venetian Republic. Also called zecchino. tr.v. jacket and back-up singers. The film differs from the cartoon when it comes to Stella and Ursula. In this version, there is only Ursula (played by a Melanie Griffith-imitating Leslie Mann), a San Francisco socialite who goes on safari to mull her engagement to the super-snobby Lyle (``Ned & Stacy'' star Thomas Haden Church). In the jungle, Ursula meets George, who saves her from peril. She falls for the big lug (1) (Linux Users Group) A formal or informal organization of Linux users who gather together virtually or in person to exchange information and resources. Some groups maintain mailing lists and send out newsletters for their members. and ultimately takes him back to San Francisco, where he discovers caffeine, Armani suits and Nikes. He eventually returns to his African home just in time to save Ape from thugs under the command of the jilted jilt tr.v. jilt·ed, jilt·ing, jilts To deceive or drop (a lover) suddenly or callously. n. One who discards a lover. Lyle. But the zany plot twists and kooky gags remain only the second best thing about ``George of the Jungle George of the Jungle bungling do-gooder. [TV: Terrace, I, 305–306] See : Ineptitude .'' The main attraction is Fraser, who treads dangerous ground here as he attempts to be both a cartoon hero and a real person. And, happily, he pulls it off with deadpan panache. The film: ``George of the Jungle.'' The stars: Brendan Fraser, Leslie Mann, Thomas Haden Church, Richard Roundtree, Holland Taylor and John Cleese (as the voice of Ape). Behind the scenes: Directed by Sam Weisman. Story by Dana Olsen, based on characters by Jay Ward. Screenplay by Olsen and Audrey Wells. Produced by David Hoberman, Jordan Kerner and Jon Avnet. Released by Disney. Running time: One hour, 32 minutes. Playing: Citywide. Our rating: Three stars CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: George (Brendan Fraser) is mentored by his friend Ape (voiced by John Cleese) in ``George of the Jungle.'' |
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