Curious George (G)
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In a last-ditch effort to save his beloved museum from becoming a parking ramp, hapless historian Ted (Will Ferrell) suits up in yellow safari gear--"Yellow is the new khaki," a sly outfitter tells him--and heads to Africa. There, instead of finding a 40-foot ancient statue, he finds George, the mischievous only child who gets into sticky situations thanks to--you guessed it--his curiosity. This, Universal's other ape picture, is as anti-Kong as it gets: "Don't sweat the details" is the message lovingly painted in broad strokes and hummed in Jack Johnson's low-key score. It seems fitting that Curious George, who stows away on a boat to America and plays Frogger through downtown New York like it was Peek-a-Boo, would advocate for simplicity in this era of big budgets, high anxiety, and pricey technology. Reigned-in performances from the requisite celebrity cast help keep things light--from David Cross's scheming, pencil-necked villain to Drew Barrymore's lovesick teacher. The approach works especially well for Ferrell, who thrives on pushing basic jokes--e.g., getting hit in the knees with a dresser drawer--to sublime levels of absurdity. And although the kids who packed my screening were ready for playtime after an hour, that's maybe a sign that the movie's most important audience got the message. (John Behling)
Review by John Behling
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