By: debbie lynn elias
For the past 65 years, generations of children have found fun, laughter and joy with one of literature’s most beloved characters – Curious George. Originally created by Margret and H.A. Rey in 1940, producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer together with director Matthew O’Callaghan, now bring the curious little monkey and his friend, The Man with the Yellow Hat, to the big screen. Loving faithful to the original stories and animation, Curious George is guaranteed to bring as much joy, if not more, on celluloid, as we all have gotten over the years turning the dog-eared pages of our well read storybooks about George.
German Jews, the Reys were children’s book authors. Fleeing Paris in 1940 on a bicycle with nothing but their winter coats and some of their storybooks with scribbles of a banana loving character named Fifi, it was these very stories that Nazi guards saw in the Reys possession and allowed them exit from the country because they “wrote children’s tales.” Eventually arriving in New York, the Fifi soon became George, and the rest shall we say, is history. Many of the adventures that George has are pulled from the lives of the Reys, riding a bicycle, sailing on a big ship across the ocean, playing with animals in the jungles. And Margret Rey served as the “model” for George often posing in various – and often silly – ways so that her husband could capture the perfect picture of George.
Our story begins in New York. Ted aka The Man in the Yellow Hat, is a curator at the Bloomsberry Museum. A job he loves more than anything in the world, he is saddened when the owner, Mr. Bloomsberry, tells him the museum must close because of meager revenues – unless they can come up with a fantastical exhibit that will push attendance through the roof. For years, Mr. Bloomsberry has held on to a secret journal that has a map to a lost shrine of the African tribe of Zagawa. Ted, willing to do anything to save the museum, makes plans for his trip to Africa to find the shrine and hopefully, some wonderful idol or artifact that will “wow” the public and save the museum. And of course, when preparing for any trip, one must be properly attired so Ted immediately goes out and gets himself a yellow safari suit with a big yellow hat. But things aren’t as easy as they seem. No. Mr. Bloomsberry’s son wants nothing more than to see the museum close and turned into a parking lot, so just as Ted is getting ready to sail, he removes the map from the journal.
On Ted’s arrival in Africa, he finds an adorable little monkey with whom he plays hide-and-seek and other games in the jungle, that is until it’s time to get down to business. But the adorable little monkey brings Ted more joy than his mission as what he finds is nothing but a teeny-tiny little idol, nothing grand and glorious that will bring people to the museum. Disheartened, he turns his attention to playing with the little moneky until his return to the States. But the little monkey is attached to his new friend, The Man in the Yellow Hat, and decides to stow away on the big ship bound for America.
Once back in New York, it seems that things can’t get any worse for Ted. No pets are allowed in his apartment building and he is thrown out. Not having a chance to talk to Mr. Bloomsberry about the artifact, Bloomsberry Junior thrusts Ted before the media for a press conference, which turns into a three ring circus thanks to a little monkey that knocks down the dinosaur bone exhibit. Homeless and now fired from his job over this little debacle, Ted does the only thing he can. He is charmed by the antics of the little banana munching monkey and “adopts” him. Naming him George, it is clear the two are now bound for life.
Unfortunately, with problems mounting thanks to George’s childish pranks, The Man in the Yellow Hat has no choice but to call animal control and have George taken back to the jungle. Or does he?
Initially considering doing the film as a live action version, that idea was quickly nixed after producers talked to various animal trainers. The next idea was CGI, but that also fell through the cracks as it was everyone’s desire to retain the look and feel of H.A. Rey’s painstakingly loving created hand drawn illustrations. Simplistic with bright primary colors and attention to detail, there was only one avenue possible to bring George to life – old fashioned 2D animation. With the decision made to go with 2D animation, Ken Kaufman was called in to write the screenplay along with some 7 other writers, with the goal being to keep the story as pure and wholesome as the original books and illustrations themselves. Under the guiding hand of production designer Yarrow Chaney, the result is the same vivid simplistic imagery of days gone by. A bright vibrant world that celebrates the curiosity and adventure of a child, or a monkey. And a wholesome tale that appeals to you whether you are 8 months or 80 years in age.
It was at this point that producers Howard and Grazer and director O’Callaghan turned their search to voicing talents for the characters – the most important being The Man in the Yellow Hat. And of course, who better than Will Ferrell. With his own patented brand of childlike innocence, he is pitch perfect as Ted/The Man in the Yellow Hat. His voicing is ideal, capturing the awe and wonder of a new world with George, yet having a stern parental tone when George’s curiosity gets the best of him. Drew Barrymore provides a delicate inner voice as Maggie, a schoolteacher smitten with Ted. Barrymore was so in touch with her character that little nuances of her body and face that were captured by the animators as she was speaking were incorporated into Maggie. One of my greatest joys with this film is Dick Van Dyke voicing Mr. Bloomsberry. Distinctive, fun, filled with emotion, with the very utterance of his voice, you are swept into childhood even further recalling another classic “Mary Poppins.”
A loving adaptation that is just as vibrant, just as alive, just as joyous, just as fun as your own memories of the first time you turned a page in a Curious George book. So, get curious. Make some new memories for you and the next generation of Curious George fans. Get curious! Let Curious George bring out the curiosity in you this weekend.
Ted/The Man in the Yellow Hat: Will Ferrell Maggie: Drew Barrymore Mr. Bloomsberry: Dick Van Dyke
Directed by Matthew O’Callaghan. Screenplay by Ken Kaufman based on the books by Margret and H.A. Rey. Rated G. (86 min)
