Curious Monkey-Curious George (2006)

Directed by: Matthew O’Callaghan | 86 minutes | animation, comedy, adventure, family | Original voice cast: Will Ferrell, Frank Welker, Drew Barrymore, David Cross, Eugene Levy, Joan Plowright, Dick Van Dyke, Shane Baumel, Timyra-Joi Beatty, Christopher Chen, Jessie Flower, Alexander Gould, Terrence Hardy Jr.

Not all animation has to have postmodern stories, or be full of false meanings and intelligent references for the adult viewer. Sometimes it’s nice to watch an uncomplicated, cute movie for children that lets you enjoy the beautiful colors and funny antics on the screen and sends you, or your child, home with a warm and happy feeling. ‘Curious Monkey’ is one such film. You don’t have to look much further than references to ‘King Kong’ here. Unlike most animated films today, Curious Monkey, an adaptation of HA Rey’s books, has been brought to life through conventional 2-D animation with fresh pastels and candy canes, and this is a great choice for this unpretentious film about friendship and discovery. The colors are also important for the plot. Monkey George (Ted wants to call him Washington first) is fond of coloring and we see him going crazy with natural dyes at the beginning of the film when he starts painting all kinds of other animals in his home in the jungle, including lions. and elephants. He also puts the color-changing talent of a chameleon to the test by making all kinds of differently colored animals run in circles around the beast.

In these first scenes in the jungle we also see several central themes of the film taking shape: on the one hand, that of the importance of play behavior and discovery, and on the other, that of the need for a home and parents. George is a monkey on his own and goes in search of other animals for fun and warmth, but he is rejected time and again. The hippos don’t like him, and neither do the crocodiles and birds. He should find his own kind, and not do so much nonsense. And then the “man in the yellow suit” comes along, Ted, who is just as willing to play peek-a-boo with the monkey after he takes his hat off. It is at this point, when the central relationship is established, that the film really comes to life. Until then, Ted’s part was not very interesting, although the viewer gets the necessary background information, such as insight into his personality and function in the museum, the presence in his life of the school teacher in love. The villain is also introduced and the reason for Ted’s jungle trip made clear. But it only gets interesting and charming when Ted and the monkey meet.

Their relationship is one of a parent and a child. We see this clearly when Ted walks down the street with the monkey at home and the animal imitates passing children in the arms of parents. He wants Ted to hold him the same way; much to the amusement of passers-by. This relationship is also underlined by the forced separation between Ted and Monkey at the end of the film, when George is taken away and makes noise like a crying child. It’s a bit of a cheap way to touch sensitive nerves with the viewer, and not entirely believable. But if it works for Disney, why not here, one must have thought. But it’s a mooch that spoils his fun with this. The film is simply a touching, energetic film that is clearly aimed at children, but could also please some adults. With fun characters like Ivan the doorman, who growls when Ted greets him, and spends half the movie on the hunt for Ted’s illegal pet; sunny music by Jack Johnston, and dialogue like: “Oh, I always roll out those toilet rolls beforehand; that helps when I’m in a hurry”, and the infectious rebelliousness of monkey George, you never have to be bored for long as a viewer. Although it is a requirement that you have not yet lost the childish playfulness and urge to explore.