Simian Delight

Having children has its benefits and detractions. One of both is the required watching of animated movies. On one hand you never have to explain why you, an adult, are enjoying a film intended to satisfy the visual cravings of a child. On the other, you are forced to endure rampant mediocrity and insults to even your child's intelligence.

The last animated children's movie, save for anything from 'those lamp guys', that I thoroughly enjoyed was 'The Lion King'. There have been a few computer animated films that were charming enough, but none that prompted an investment in future viewings (namely on DVD).

That statement is now thankfully incorrect. Last night we rounded up the ruggers and trotted them off to see a film that would surely make a desecration out of our childhood memories. Laughter abounded during the movie, coming from young and old alike, with more sincerity than I've heard come from an audience in awhile. There were no funny moments hinged on the sounds of bodily functions, no questionable phrases (save for a nicely done reference to a popular dismissal), and a main character who is allowed to be himself sans any attempts at making him hip.

The story is not extravagant, nor is it a tacked on. It is quite simply a classic retelling of the original. Scenes from the past are easily noticeable and fit into this story as well as they did the originals. The animation itself was, in a word, beautiful. The colors were lush and vivid, using a palette that was likely rather simple. There are no gratuitous rendered scenes like in so many other animated movies. Lest I forget the voice actors, who, despite some of their other work, did an excellent job at giving voice to characters in manner that felt true.

'Curious George' is a respectful and wonderfully created tribute to the unintentionally troublesome monkey many of us grew to love as children, and now our children can do the same.