Who's In It: Voiced by: David Cross, Dick Van Dyke, Drew Barrymore, Eugeny Levy, Joan Plowright, Will Ferrell, Frank Welker, Billy West, Ed O'Ross, Clint Howard
Who Directed It: Matthew O'Callaghan

When Can I Buy It: NOW (Region 1)

Curious George - Reviewed by: Sean Strong

• Jack Johnson music video with a sing-a-long
  
• Drawn to George - learn how to animate your own George character
  
• Monkey Around with Words - learn words from the movie
  
• A Very Curious Car
  
• Monkey in Motion
  
• Deleted scenes
  
• Set-top DVD player games

Let me just begin by saying that this is the very first review that I have ever written and, well, to be honest it’s a shame I’m not sat here with the opportunity to praise something that I enjoyed or held onto for even two seconds after I pressed stop on the remote. That being said, I’m not going to be too cruel, if only because of how damn cute little George the monkey was and how nicely simple and soothing the style of animation. If you like The Wild Thornburys then this is for you.

I think its only fair to state that I am 22 and therefore probably not within range of the intended target audience, although I will let you in on the fact that I was genuinely looking forward to the film, one, because I’m getting rather sick of all the rubbishy 3D features and thought a good old cartoooon was a refreshing option, and two, because I am a Jack Johnson fan (the guy who sang all of the songs for the entire soundtrack) and I was looking forward to the music, which was indeed awesome. Thanks Jack.

Simply put, the storyline consists of a guy named Ted (Will Ferrell) shooting off to Africa to discover an ancient artefact idol, which when brought back to America will prevent the museum where he works from having to close and be rebuilt as a parking lot. Unfortunately the idol is not quite as amazing as Ted and the museum owner Mr Bloomsbury think and to add to the calamity, there’s a little monkey stowaway on the return ship home. When Ted and George first meet in the jungle all is good, they play peek-a-boo and generally monkey around. Though Ted didn’t exactly ask for a full time pet, George doesn’t want to be away from him. The movie half heartedly twists and turns a bit through trouble with the museum and encounters with Ted’s love interest Miss Maggie, and all the while the two playmates are getting closer then being pushed apart and again and again. As you can imagine, there is a nice chunk of satisfying resolve at the end of the movie when the museum is saved!

- And when Ted and George are reunited but not a great deal of fun or laughs on the way. I was really reluctant to give this movie a thumb’s down and throughout watching kept hoping that something would bring it back. I had my hopes for Curious George but sadly it just didn’t deliver.

Hadn’t I read the cover then I wouldn’t have even realized that Will Ferrell had starred as Ted for there is just no magic or spark there whatsoever! I mean, I’m not his biggest fan but he usually brings something to a roll for sure. Not this time. Points to the guy doing monkey noises though, respect.

I guess some might say that there are a few brief pangs on the heart strings during moments of affection between the cute, curious / mischievous George and Ted the protagonist but certainly not enough to make me fall in love with the film or to make the girls weep. Overall I think the film was nicely paced and very easy viewing, it’s just a shame that turning points and even characters weren’t full on enough. Just a bit more oomph would have made this comfortable, carefree, cartoon comedy? … lots more curious and a lot more captivating. But he was very cute. Very lovable. I do want a pet monkey.

Of the bonus features on the Curious George DVD it was nice to have the Jack Johnson music video on there. Though I obviously didn’t love the film, the soundtrack did seriously do a lot for it.

If unlike me you just couldn’t get enough of Curious George then of the bonus features you will be happy to know there are many, many deleted scenes.

Throughout the film I started to notice that that there was a fair bit of product placement, for a cartoon damn it! George is very particular about his bananas for one thing. Dole fruit only. Oh, and a Starbucks coffee please. One of the bonus features though, is kind of a look inside the placement of VW cars in the film. Mildly interesting I guess, how they rounded the edges on actual VW models and softened the whole look for the feature.

Overall, a decent amount of bonus stuff. Anything for free.

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