George of the Jungle (1997) directed by Sam Weisman, is an adaptation of an animated series going by the same name into live-action. The movie stars Brendan Fraser in the titular role of George, a primitive man raised by animals in the jungle. George was first introduced on the screen by Jay Ward and Bill Scott in an American animated television series. George’s character is inspired by the very famous tale of Tarzan, created by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
With an absolutely stunning use of CGI which wasn’t very popular during that time, George of the Jungle was one proper adaptations of the 1967s animated series.
Brendan Fraser talks about the use of CGI in George of the Jungle
In a recent interview with GQ, Brendan Fraser talked about his role as George in the 1997 film. Terming George “the original babe in the woods”, Fraser talked about how George was there to help. Expressing the rule of how George would always win the day because of his dumb luck, the actor continued about the movie’s use of CGI.
“George the Jungle was using CGI technology in a way that was first just starting to come in the world of filmmaking in a way, way that we really take for granted now.”
The Mummy actor was open about the struggles that were faced while introducing Shep the elephant, who George refers to as his dog. Shep’s actions too were similar to that of an excited puppy in the movie.
“The shot was designed to have Shep framed up with George, and then George introduces his ‘dog’ to Ursula,” Fraser explained the introduction of Shep.
The scene where George pets Shep was a delicate one as much of the movie’s budget went on the CGI making Shep behave like a puppy. The Stand Off actor explained how he had to be specific on how he is interacting with the anima. If the arm was too low or high, it could throw off the CGI team’s plans to animate the animal, as well as the movie’s budget.
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Keeping in mind that CGI was not a common occurrence in movies back then, the use of it in George of the Jungle was one that proved to do wonders.
Brendan Fraser’s portrayal of George in George of the Jungle
George of the Jungle adapted from an animated series was a spoof of the very well-known Tarzan. The movie opened with a cartoon-to-live-action transition as George ages from a child in the series to an adult in the film. George is initially kept as a mystery, described as a bloodthirsty native legend who rules the jungle to George’s love interest, Ursula Stanhope, played by Leslie Mann. However, the myth is proved wrong when George saves her from a lion who attempts to attack her.
The movie does not forget to put a comical edge to the scenes of the movie, one of them depicting George crashing into a tree while swinging around. The character’s broken English serves as another opportunity for the fans to laugh. George’s parenting by the animals and his love for them is evident when he doesn’t have second thoughts about returning to the jungle to save his family.
While the movie is not a part of the best films Brendan Fraser starred in, George of the Jungle still makes the viewers nostalgic and share laughs over the film adaption of a beloved show.
George of the Jungle was released in theatres on July 16, 1997. Brendan Fraser in George of the Jungle is available on Disney+
Source: YouTube
