Tarzan movie review
posted on 29 December 2007
Disney have done it again. A hopeful story with beautiful animation, funny bits that make you giggle more than laugh, sad bits that make your eyes water (just a lil, I swear) and songs that come across as a bit too soppy. I could be talking about Bambi or the Lion King, but I'm not. Tarzan has everything that Disney is renowned for, but it seems to lack whatever it is that has made many other Disney films and animations classics.
Minnie Driver was instantly recognisable as the voice of Jane, and she was terrific. You could easily imagine the expression on the (Good Will Hunting, Circle of Friends) actress' face as she said her lines. Rosie O'Donnell was equally as recognisable and equally as good. She gives out the goods. Playing Terk, Tarzan's best friend she is both humorous and sparky - a bit of a scene stealer!
Ok so there's also a bumbling clumsy elephant (who's so prissy he won't go in the water in fear of germs), a grumpy ol Silverback with a heart of gold, a loveydovey mummy ape (Glenn Close) and a nasty fellow named...hell I can't remember. But I don't want to give away too much about that anyway.
The songs by Phil Collins get rather irritating, but the stunning images of silhouetted mountains, verdant forests and abundant wildlife make even the soppiest of love songs bearable. The scene in which Jane is being chased by a particularly savage group of baboons is probably my favourite visually. Aurally of course it is the "stomp" like scene in which the animals (led by Terk, of course) manage to make some pretty funky music with the human's camping gear.
Like all Disney films there are sad moments (if you're prone to emotional distress at animated films definately take your tissues - I wished I'd taken mine!), "scary" moments, exhillarating moments and then there are the moments that just make you say "awwww!"
If you love Disney please, please go and see this (just tell them I sent you...hehe). In fact, even if you don't go see it while you can (if it is true that they're not releasing it on video).
I was expecting more from Tarzan, but I wasn't really disappointed. I think the cynic in me wanted everything NOT to turn out so fine. Maybe the child inside me has faded just a little bit. Pray for me.