The tagline alone – “Show Me the Monkey!” – is enough to make you cringe with dread. Oh, no, you’re thinking. Not again. They took a classic children’s story and crammed it with pop-culture jokes and self-referential humor like so many recent animated films, simply to appeal to the adults in the audience. Thankfully, they didn’t. “Curious George” remains very much within its own candy-colored universe and stays true to the lighthearted spirit of the beloved books by Margret and H.A. Rey. The film is ideal for the same audience the books target (kids ages 4-8) which may make it tedious at times for the parents sitting alongside them. But there’s something sort of refreshing, about its simplicity and innocence. Plus, George is just so darn cute with his big eyes and bright smile and perpetually sunny disposition, he’s pretty much impossible to resist. Will Ferrell, Drew Barrymore and David Cross lead the solid vocal cast. Rated: G. Rating: 2 ½ out of 4 stars.

– Christy Lemire, AP critic