Curious George
Universal Pictures | Release Date: February 10, 2006 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
62
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews
Positive:
16
Mixed:
12
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
91
Seattle Post-IntelligencerRebekah Denn
What a rare pleasure to see a classic book adapted for the screen and walk out feeling neither bored, offended nor outraged. Read full review
88
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Songwriter Jack Johnson's collection of laid-back, sunshine pop tunes unobtrusively support the sweet and surprisingly touching story line, rather than the other way around. Read full review
80
The New York TimesLawrence Van Gelder
With top-drawer voice talent including Joan Plowright and Dick Van Dyke, original songs by Jack Johnson, and old-fashioned two-dimensional animation that echoes the simple colors and shapes of the books, Curious George is an unexpected delight. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Is this movie for the whole family to attend? No, it is a movie for small children and their parents or adult guardians, who will take them because they love them very much. Read full review
75
Christian Science MonitorPeter Rainer
Because almost all animated films now are computer generated, the 2-D animated Curious George has the not-unpleasant patina of an antique. Read full review
75
USA TodayClaudia Puig
George is cute, and the simple story has its entertaining moments. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChroniclePeter Hartlaub
The film has a little too much of the "new adventures" feel, but it's still fun. Read full review
75
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
Some adults may find the film unbearably simplistic, or its pace burdensomely slow. But it would be a shame if movie audiences have become so hyper-adrenalized that they can't appreciate a charmer like Curious George. Read full review
75
Portland OregonianShawn Levy
The film has a candy-colored look that stands in well for the books' primitive appeal. And the all-star cast of vocal performers -- Will Ferrell as Yellow Hat, Dick Van Dyke as his boss, David Cross as his rival, Drew Barrymore as his sweetie -- aim squarely and appropriately at a 4-year-old audience. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen
Margret and H.A. Rey's mischievous monkey makes his long-threatened leap to the big screen in Curious George, with much of the books' charm respectfully intact. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesCarina Chocano
Turns out to be as simple, friendly, kid-appropriate and nontoxic as any major motion picmerchtainment franchise could ever hope to be. Read full review
70
L.A. WeeklyElla Taylor
Some amusing new characters are added (love the Russian doorman), and the 2-D animation, simple and serviceable after a tortured production history, is fine. But the jewel in the movie’s crown is its gorgeous pastel palette, alternating with warm earth tones. Read full review
67
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
What makes Curious George such an enduring figure is that he embodies much of what's wonderful about childhood. Read full review
67
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the new cartoon of Curious George, featuring the voice of Will Ferrell as the Man in the Yellow Hat, doesn't veer all that far from the soothing tone of the books. Read full review
67
Austin ChronicleMarrit Ingman
It is a sweet, simple movie with a sweet, simple message: that children see the world differently and have much to teach the people who love them. Read full review
63
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie Rickey
What I most appreciated about the film directed by Matthew O'Callaghan is that it doesn't go for amped-up effects. No bells, whistles, or nudge-nudge, wink-winks to the adults in the audience. Read full review
60
Village VoicePeter L'Official
Misanthropic toddlers will be rolling in the aisles. Read full review
60
Dallas ObserverRobert Wilonsky
Though it does cheapen itself with some dreadful moments of product placement, it doesn't instantly date itself with cheap pop-culture gags; it will play to our kids' kids tomorrow just as it does today, like something made for children who don't know to expect more from their cartoons than just pleasant, nostalgic mediocrities. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderAndrea Gronvall
George is suitably adorable, wreaking the kind of havoc that gives tykes a guilty thrill. Yet the movie concludes with the specious moral that reading is inferior to experiencing life firsthand. Read full review
60
Film ThreatPete Vonder Haar
It's a simple and sweet-natured movie, and one that seems appropriate even for the very young. Read full review
50
VarietyBrian Lowry
Pitched toward the youngest of kids -- roughly ages zygote to 4 -- with direct-to-video quality animation, plotting and backgrounds. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneMichael Phillips
A mild off-season cinematic bid for the young and the restless. Read full review
50
Washington PostStephen Hunter
It's pretty elementary. Read full review
50
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
Curious George has long been a bedtime staple, but this animated film version may be the first time his story puts parents to sleep. Read full review
50
New York PostLou Lumenick
Curious George skews very young, but parents should be warned that it arrives not only with the worst ad slogan in recent memory ("Show me the monkey"), but a full line of plush toys and related tie-in merchandise. Read full review
50
Boston GlobeTy Burr
Genuine, artful simplicity may be an impossible quality in a modern children's movie, so Curious George opts instead for mayhem under a blanket of sweetness. The little ones understand. Read full review
50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Kate Taylor
Unfortunately, the team led by producer Ron Howard and directed by Matthew O'Callaghan has jettisoned much of the charm of the original books along with that politically touchy storyline. Read full review
40
EmpireJo Berry
Solely made for tiny tots, this may test the patience of supervising adults, but delight smaller viewers who will doubtless fall in love with George and want him for their very own. Read full review
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