Tarzan

Who is that man surfing in the trees? Could it be? No! It is Tarzan Disney style! Disney?s adaptation of the Classic Tarzan story is like a breath of fresh air popped into a dusty old room. I doubt if Edgar Rice Burroughs ever imagined his book would be made into a classic cartoon for children of all ages to enjoy.

The story starts out much the same as the book. A little boy in the jungle taken in by the apes. The ?human? side given to the animals is what makes this a charming movie. As a mom I can relate to the dilemma of leaving a little one alone to fend for it self and as a father my husband can relate to a stranger that could threaten his family. In the end the little boy we come to know and love as Tarzan is given a home with the apes.

Kala (his mom now) sings to the baby with such love and devotion. ?You?ll be in my Heart? is the first real song in the movie and it is a beautiful lullaby sung by Glenn close. Phil Collins finishes out the song but the beginning is beautiful.

As Tarzan grows from a boy to a man he desperately wants his father, Kerchak, to acknowledge him and treat him as a son. All Kerchak can see is the Tarzan is different and he will never be his ?son?. This breaks Kala?s heart and crushes Tarzan. Tarzan is now more determined than ever to have his fathers love and respect. Tarzan also learns to ?surf? through the trees. He glides effortlessly along the branches and moss. He glides from tree to tree on any vine handy. The artwork is amazing. The computer graphics really bring the movie a sense of reality and depth to the colors.

As he grows he finds friends everywhere he goes. Some are not so friendly and make fun of him for being different. He has two true friends throughout the movie. One is a Turk, a cute little purple ape played by Rosie O?Donnell. She gives a New York accent to her character and it is a riot. Her whit and talent as an actor shine in this role. His other friend is Tantor, an elephant. Wayne Knight plays Tantor. He is brilliant as Tantor.

Soon Tarzan has an opportunity to ?prove? he is worthy and a useful member of the tribe. The ever cunning Sabor, a leopard, was stalking the tribe one afternoon while they were out on a walk for food. Tarzan and Turk had been playing when suddenly out of the corner of his eye he spots a yellow dot in the mixture of greens and browns of the forest. Suddenly Sabor leaps out to attack and Tarzan swings into action. This scene is a bit scary at times and the action is quite intense. Tarzan becomes the victor and lays the lifeless body of Sabor at his fathers feet. His father rebuffs him. Tarzan is at a loss now since he thought this would surely prove his loyalty and usefulness to the tribe. But at least now he does have the respect of the other members of the tribe.

Not long afterwards, humans arrive at the island where Tarzan and his family live. He is intrigued by them and wants to learn more but right now that creature in the funny outfit is in trouble and he needs to save her. Thus we have the first meeting of Tarzan and Jane. It is an eye opening experience for them both. Jane is with her father looking for the apes and she has heard of a white ape. Tarzan has never seen anyone or anything that looked remotely like him. Thus a friendship is born that turns into love.

While Tarzan is saving Jane, his best friend Terk finds the camp where Jane and her farther are staying and thus we have ?trashin? the Camp? song. It is lively and upbeat. The apes make musical instruments out of everything and anything they can find. But all good things must come to an end and as Jane and her father approach the apes make a hasty retreat.

Jane, played by Minnie Driver, is so excited she can hardly speak when she is telling her father what she has discovered or what has discovered her! She leaps around like an ape to show her father how ?he? walks on all fours and how he moves. He father, Professor porter, played by Nigle Hawthome, is having a hard time taking all this in such a short time. Eventually Jane calms down enough and he understands her. He wants to see this ?ape man?. The captain of the vessel however has other ideas. His name is Clayton and Brian Blessed plays him. Clayton is a poacher and only after apes for their monetary value. He cares nothing about science or learning about their lives or anything but money. Clayton?s aim is to take the apes prisoner and sell them when he gets home.

After his adventures with Jane Tarzan wants to learn more. His father tells him to stay away from the humans that they are only trouble and will bring no good to the apes, but like any child Tarzan is drawn to what he is supposed to stay away from. Tarzan is also angry with his mother because she knew there were ?others like him? but she never told him. He has no idea of the dangers his father sees and in his mind he sees no danger from Jane. Jane and her father are not the danger. Clayton and his men are. Tarzan decides to sneak off anyway to see Jane. He wants to share his world with her and maybe she can someday become a part of his.

Sadly Professor Porter knows it is time to leave this jungle paradise but he still has not seen the nesting grounds of the great apes let alone seen any of them. Tarzan has been forbidden by his father to let the humans know where they live. He knows what they can do and fears for the safety of the tribe. Clayton is a very clever and deceitful man. He knows Tarzan does not want Jane to leave and he wants the hides of the apes and he wants to capture on to take back alive. He convinces Tarzan that the only way to make Jane stay is to show her and her father the nesting grounds. Tarzan is torn between his loyalty to his family and his new feelings for Jane. He chooses to take them to the nesting grounds. The trap has been set.

Jane and her father are amazed at what they see. The nesting grounds, the apes acting like a big family. Amazing to them to say the least. The happiness is short lived however. Clayton and his men burst in with guns and cages. Tarzan realizes he has made a terrible mistake and cannot stop what is about to happen. His mother is captured, and his family cornered with no where to go. Jane and her father along with Tarzan are taken captive and put in the belly of the ship in jail. Terk and Tantor are having a very heated discussion about Tarzan and his leaving with Jane. They have no idea it was a trap and the whole family is in danger. Tantor is telling Terk that it is time for him to get over himself basically and try to understand how Tarzan feels. Suddenly they hear the famous call from the ship. Realizing Tarzan is in danger Tantor grabs Terk and off the cliff they go into the water to save their friend.

Tantor and Terk rescue Tarzan, Jane and the Professor just in time to stop Clayton from getting Kala on the ship and taking her away. The price they pay is heavy. Clayton shoots at Kerchak and hits him. Tarzan blinded by a raging fury attacks Clayton. After a battle in the trees Clayton finally gets tangled up in the vines himself and is killed. Tarzan rushes back to his father?s side just in time to hear him tell him he is proud of him and he is his son. The tribe is now in his hands. Saddened by his father?s death, Tarzan knows the tribe cannot go on without a leader. They are lost and confused. They are looking to him for leadership. He rises to the occasion in a magnificent style. He is his father?s son after all.

Jane and her father decide to stay on the island with Tarzan and his family. As always everyone lives happily ever after. This movie is a movie for mostly the while family. I would recommend taking children above the age of 8 to see it since one or two scenes may scare them.

Cast:
Tarzan Tony Goldwyn
Jane Porter Minnie Driver
Clayton Brian Blessed
Kala Glenn Close
Professor Archimedes Q. Porter Nigel Hawthorne
Kerchak Lance Henriksen
Tantor Wayne Knight
Young Tarzan Alex D. Linz
Young Tantor Taylor Dempsey
Terkoz "Terk" Rosie O'Donnell

Directed By:
Chris Buck, Kevin Lima

Written By:
Tab Murphy
Bob Tzudiker
Noni White


Running Time:
88 minutes