Written by Robert L. Baird, Dan Gerson, Ken Kaufman, Karey Kirkpatrick, Michael McCullers, Clare Sera, and Joe Stillman, based on the main characters created by H.A. Rey
Directed by Matthew O'Callaghan
Kid's movies these days are so darn complicated. Even the powerhouse genius of Pixar occasionally loads their stuff with too much exposition or backstory. This is not to say that it detracts from their films' quality; it in fact made their last film, The Incredibles one of the best films of the decade as well as one of the greatest animated motion pictures of all time. But sometimes all this technological marvel and all of this deep, complex storytelling lacks the real charm of old-fashioned, simple kid's stuff. This is much the same feeling that I've been having as I once again pore over Marvel Comics' wonderful Essential collections of their characters' earliest adventures; while I don't think anyone would argue that the Daredevil of old, the daring sightless swashbuckler, is in any way better than today's Daredevil, the gritty, tortured urban protector of New York City's Hell's Kitchen, the new comics don't know how to have fun like Stan Lee and John Romita did. And having simple, joyful fun in the H.A. Rey style is what the new Curious George film is all about.
Taking the concept of H.A. Rey's classic children's books and expanding it, Curious George finds the Man in the Yellow Hat, Ted (the voice of Will Ferrell), working at a museum in the employ of Mr. Bloomsberry (the voice of Dick Van Dyke). The museum is old and scarcely visited; only schoolteacher Miss Maggie Dunlop (the voice of Drew Barrymore) brings her class to attend Ted's educational tours, and only because she has a thing for the guy. The kids themselves are bored out of their minds learning about the cavemen and their ancient ways...what fun is that in a world with cell phones, digital cable, and high-speed broadband Internet? Apparently, the rest of the world feels the same. Mr. Bloomsberry informs Ted that, due to a lack of revenue, the museum will have to close, and Mr. Bloomsberry's greedy son Junior (the voice of David Cross) plans on building a parking garage on the site.
Believing that the museum is still a great place to learn and enjoy one's self, Ted sets out to save it from closure. He's going to save it by voyaging to the African jungle and retrieving the mythical Lost Shrine of Zagawa, which is rumored to be up to 40 feet tall. But when Ted, who picked up matching yellow suits and hats for everyone in the expedition before departure, gets to Africa, all he finds is a four-inch trinket which, unfortunately, is the Lost Shrine of Zagawa. Ted also finds a curious little monkey who he eventually names George (the voice of Frank Welker), who likes Ted almost as soon as he sees him, but whom Ted just wishes to avoid. But, when George stows away on the return ship home, it's wacky adventures in the big city for the furry little guy and his reluctant pal, who still has to find a way to save the museum.
It could be argued that all of that plot, however thin it may be, clutters up the classic Curious George formula, which is basically just George messing around and having a good time. But the plot serves as an anchor for George's mishaps, and also allows the film to be cleverer than most audiences would expect. It's not the definition of "intelligent," no, but Curious George is smart in that it knows how to please kids, and in a comfortingly uncomplicated manner. It's simple, but never simple-minded; your frame of mind will factor greatly into your enjoyment. If you're looking for something complex and multi-layered, I suggest renting Crash on DVD. Of course tots are going to love it, but if you're willing to let go of your adult mind and succumb to the film's simple charms, there's a good chance that director Matthew O'Callaghan will tickle your inner child and make it giggle and squeal in delight.
Curious George is simply just a very pleasant film. It's weightless and buoyant, sunny and happy. Yes, it's true that the many screenwriters (seven!) manage to squeeze in some funny references and a couple of witty one-liners, and that the voice-overs by Will Ferrell, Dick Van Dyke, and David Cross are a delight, but the real joy of watching the movie is how, through the way that George looks at the world with a sense of discovery and child-like wonder, it can give us back our innocence for a short while and transport us back to a time in our lives when learning, fun, and the simple love of friendship was all the rage. The soft-toned, pastel-colored, and storybook-like animation coupled with the soothing songs by Jack Johnson help to bring us there as well. In fact, the only portion of the film that really does not work is when Ted and George visit the lab of a scientist voiced by Eugene Levy, with all of his techno gadgets and robotic animals. It's at its best when it finds the joy in making a mess and just having fun in the world around you.
Curious George is nothing great, but can't something just be pleasantly amusing for a change?
Plus, the monkey is so gosh-darn cute. If you don't immediately want to buy a stuffed animal of him, you're heartless.
