In this film, inspired by the 1960s cartoon, George rescues a rich twit on safari in the jungle from a bloody death by lion. After becoming increasingly attached to her newfound buddy, who shares her lack of vocabulary, Ursula ditches her obnoxious fiancé, played by Thomas Haden Church, and whisks George back to the city with her. Throw in 1) some parents who don't like George and 2) a reason for George to run back to the jungle, and you have a "rollicking, live-action epic." At least that's what the folks at Disney call it. (Note to Southern Baptists: Don't feel so bad about missing this one.)

Holland Taylor, of The Naked Truth, plays the role of Ursula's over-protective, wealthy mother in a completely unoriginal way, though one can hardly fault her for the wretched lines she must have been forced at gunpoint to deliver. The best acting in this movie comes from Tookie, the toucan, and that's because he doesn't say anything.

A single point of light can be found in the film. George gleans from television that coffee is the only way to a woman's heart, and while Ursula is away, proceeds to shovel her instant coffee into his mouth, dry, cupfuls at a time. Of course, instead of letting the amusing scene play out naturally, the powers that be decided that putting George on "fast forward" would be just hilarious! Ho ho, slow down George! That sure is funny.

Fraser's second role as a grunting freak is one that he should have passed along to someone more (or rather less) worthy. At least if Chris Farley had been running around in what is referred to in the movie as a "butt-flap" (oh, tres amusante!), the audience would have had one thing to laugh at. But alas, the only amusing part of this film is how completely un seriously it was taken by everyone who participated in its making. (Hint: One of the uninspiring villains, Abraham Benrubi of ER fame, gets in a fight with the narrator.) Instead of being cute or amusing, the constant references to off-screen personae are simply reminiscent of Christian Slater's asinine remarks to the audience in the box-office blockbuster Kuffs.