George of the Jungle swung into theaters in 1997 and quickly captured the hearts of audiences with its blend of slapstick comedy, self-aware humor, and endearing characters. As a piece of lighthearted, lowbrow entertainment, as described by the original review, it’s hard to deny the film’s infectious charm and family appeal. While critics like Jonathan Rosenbaum might have found themselves drawn more to the classic Tarzan’s New York Adventure, George of the Jungle carved its own niche in cinematic comedy, and its legacy continues, even extending to the career of actresses like Jungle Julie Benz.
Directed by Sam Weisman, and brought to life by the comedic talents of Brendan Fraser, Leslie Mann, and Thomas Haden Church, George of the Jungle isn’t just a simple jungle adventure. It’s a film that playfully winks at its audience, thanks to a script penned by Dana Olsen and Audrey Wells. The movie knowingly borrows elements from the Tarzan mythos, but it injects a hefty dose of self-referential humor that sets it apart. This approach resonated with a generation familiar with the source material – Jay Ward’s 1960s animated TV show – and introduced the jungle hero to a new wave of fans.
One of the most significant departures from traditional Tarzan films, as pointed out in the original review, is George of the Jungle‘s embrace of self-referential humor. Keith Scott’s narrator is practically another character, constantly breaking the fourth wall, commenting on the absurdity unfolding on screen, and directly addressing the audience. This was a bold move for a family film in the 90s, creating a meta-narrative that elevated the humor beyond simple pratfalls and jungle mishaps. Whether it’s reassuring viewers that “no one dies in this story” after a dramatic fall, or quipping about the over-the-top nature of an elephant with a dog bone, the narration constantly reminds us that we’re in on the joke. This playful manipulation of cinematic reality through VCR-like rewind and fast-forward gags, as the review notes, establishes a unique sense of audience control and engagement.
The original review delves into the thematic contrasts with older Tarzan movies, particularly concerning nature and civilization. While Tarzan’s treehouse represented a romanticized, almost pantheistic vision of living in harmony with nature, George’s jungle abode feels more like a comedic playground. The film, although partially shot in Hawaii, creates a jungle that’s more akin to a theme park ride – exciting and visually spectacular, but perhaps lacking the same depth of imaginative space. This shift reflects a broader change in how we perceive and consume entertainment, moving towards more immediate, spectacle-driven experiences.
The portrayal of animals also takes a different turn in George of the Jungle. Ape, George’s intelligent gorilla companion voiced by John Cleese, is a far cry from Cheetah in classic Tarzan films. As the review suggests, Ape, along with Shep the elephant and other animal characters, are “composites, clever fusions of real animals, animatronic robots, and costumed actors.” They are less about representing the natural world and more about creating entertaining, anthropomorphic characters that serve the comedic narrative. This approach reflects a growing trend towards virtual creatures and digital pets, blurring the lines between the real and the artificial, a concept that was becoming increasingly relevant in the late 90s with the rise of digital technology.
The review astutely points out the film’s playful approach to reality. George of the Jungle exists in a world where the rules of logic are constantly bent for comedic effect. The transition from animation to live-action during George’s backstory highlights this malleability of reality, where everything on screen feels as fluid and adaptable as cartoon imagery. This embrace of the unreal, the cartoony, is central to the film’s comedic identity and its appeal to a younger audience accustomed to the visual possibilities of digital technology.
While the original review focuses primarily on the 1997 film starring Brendan Fraser, the world of George of the Jungle expanded with a sequel, George of the Jungle 2, released direct-to-video in 2003. This sequel is where Jungle Julie Benz, or Julie Benz as she is professionally known, enters the George of the Jungle narrative. Taking over the role of Ursula Stanhope from Leslie Mann, Julie Benz brought her own charm and comedic timing to the character. George of the Jungle 2 continued the self-aware humor and slapstick antics of the original, albeit with a different cast in some key roles. While Christopher Showerman stepped into the loincloth as George in the sequel, Julie Benz’s presence ensured that the spirit of adventure and comedy remained intact.
The legacy of George of the Jungle extends beyond its initial theatrical release and its sequel. It represents a specific type of 90s family comedy that embraced silliness, self-awareness, and a fast-paced comedic style. Films like George of the Jungle paved the way for later comedies that played with genre conventions and directly engaged with their audiences. And for fans of Jungle Julie Benz, George of the Jungle 2 remains a notable entry in her filmography, showcasing her versatility and comedic talent in a beloved family franchise. Whether you revisit the original George of the Jungle or explore the further adventures in the sequel with Julie Benz, the jungle’s call to laughter and lighthearted fun remains as strong as ever.
