George of the Jungle

George of the Jungle has more wit and absurdity than most children movies, but fans of the '60s cartoon had best stay away from this live adaptation. It's not that director Sam Weisman hasn't tried to incorporate the vision creator Jay Ward brought to George, Rocky & Bullwinkle, and other animated classics. The clever-tongued self-referential narrator still mocks the proceedings, characters unabashedly spew off one terrible pun after another, and a hint of satire resonates throughout.

But all of what made the animated George such an irreverent joy is watered down by sappiness, forced acting, and, worst of all, the plot. George (Brendan Fraser) saves an anthropologist Ursula (Leslie Mann) from a lion while Ursula's evil fiancé (Thomas Haden Church) tries to rescue her from this "White Ape." Naturally Ursula's falling in love with her savior and all-around good guy. It's funny when the ape named Ape (voiced by John Cleese) teaches our navigationally challenged hero to puff up his face and throw leaves to impress a mate. As for the few sentimental moments -- just imagine an unironic live Simpsons where Bart (Macaulay Culkin) learns the true meaning of love as violins play in the background. At the Harbour Mall, Lincoln Mall, Tri-Boro, Warwick Mall, Starcase, Westerly, and Woonsocket cinemas.

-- Mark Bazer