Brendan Fraser (“The Mummy”, “Looney Tunes: Back In Action”) stars in “George of the Jungle”, a surprisingly funny film considering just how limited the source material is. I’ve never seen the original cartoon but it’s apparently little more than a goofy Tarzan-like guy repeatedly swinging into a tree. I underestimated just how amusing it would be to see Fraser constantly slam into tree trunks.

George (Fraser) was raised by apes in the African jungle after a plane crash. Ursula (Leslie Mann “Knocked Up”) is a wealthy heiress from the United States and she finds herself slowly but surely falling for him after he rescues her from a lion. However, her fiancée (Thomas Haden Church “Spider-Man 3”) doesn’t want to give her up so easily.

Brendan Fraser is clearly having fun with the role and commits to the script despite him being tasked with looking like a total idiot for the duration of the picture. The George character is very likeable. Leslie Mann is fairly forgettable as Ursula. Thomas Haden Church is somewhat fun as the bad guy. John Cleese (“A Fish Called Wanda”) provide the voice of an intelligent ape that helped to raise George. He’s pretty funny. Richard Roundtree (“Shaft”) has a small role her. George also has a pet elephant that acts like a dog. I think the special effects for it look quite good.

This is a juvenile film but it’s enjoyably juvenile. I must admit that the last act drags a little but the first two are satisfying. I also love the catchy theme song and the animated opening. Fraser has since appeared in other films based on cartoons such as “Dudley Do-Right” and he always seems comfortable acting like a cartoon character. I think both kids and adults will find enjoyment by watching “George of the Jungle”.