ScreenWize

Generations of under-sixes have been falling asleep at bedtime to the simple delights of the original Curious George children’s books, and now they can do the same again – this time as adults whilst watching the film version. For very young children this is a refreshingly safe and warm story of the cutest monkey in the cartoon world, but there is not much here for anyone older, despite a top-drawer cast including Will Ferrell as the voice of the Man in the Yellow Hat, and Drew Barrymore as the unnecessary love interest.

The Man in the Yellow Hat, now called Ted, discovers the gorgeous little monkey George (with his wonderfully cheeky grin) in the jungles of Africa whilst on an expedition to find a huge statue reputedly abandoned by a lost tribe. Ted’s job in a museum, and the museum’s entire future, depend upon this mission’s success. When Ted returns empty handed, it’s up to George – who has followed him back to the city – to help put things right. In a desperate attempt to keep the adult audience conscious, there is also a sub-plot involving the owner of the museum (voice of Dick Van Dyke) and his dastardly son (David Cross), most of which will pass over the heads of the intended audience.

The story lacks imagination, yet manages to gets itself tied up in knots, ultimately relying upon the intervention of a mad scientist to resolve the ending. Despite this, it provides plenty of opportunity for George’s curiosity to cause havoc wherever he goes, and keep Ted in a perpetual spin, alternately chasing the little rascal across the city and encouraging him to go back to Africa. There’s little humour in the dialogue, but the youngsters will love the classic slapstick routines that mostly involve pain being inflicted gently on the long-suffering Ted by the incorrigibly mischievous baby monkey.

The 2-D animation remains faithful to the original drawings by Margret and H.A.Rey, and the soft, warm look of the film is complemented by some mellow and meaningless songs from Jack Johnson. Overall it’s an innocent and playful film aimed squarely – and unusually – at a very young audience who will be captivated by the antics of the gurgling, grinning primate. Parents however, will probably prefer the memory of the books.

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Filed Under: Reviews by Simon