Tarzan

By 1999, Disney was probably starting to see that its audience was growing up. For example, I was six years old when “The Little Mermaid” came out. I was sixteen by 1999 and so beginning with “Tarzan” and continuing with “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” and “Treasure Planet”, Disney began to make films that appealed to the teenagers like me who grew up watching “Aladdin” and “Beauty and the Beast”. “Tarzan” is a cool film because it stars a cool protagonist. The character of Tarzan has been re-imagined for the modern era and the original story has been well crafted in the tradition of great Disney animated adaptations. Another Disney tradition continued with this film is great songs.

The story was well adapted to entertain today’s audiences but at the same time, it stays true to various stereotypical elements associated with Tarzan that we know and love. I like how Tarzan looks like his parents. He has his mother’s eyes & hair type and he inherited his father’s physicality. The animator of Tarzan, Glenn Keane, envisioned him as an athlete. He still swings on vines but his new skill introduced in this film seems to be “tree surfing”. Keane studied snowboarders, surfers and of course skateboarders so that Tarzan would be both different and cooler than any Tarzan seen before. A hip protagonist however is not the key to a successful film. You need drama and "Tarzan" has it, maybe more so than any other version. Tarzan is given the conflict of trying to find out where he belongs. He grows up with the full knowledge that he is different from anyone in his family. He overcomes this by improving himself. During this part of the movie, we are introduced to other characters and we understand the relationships between them. We must care about Tarzan and his family in order for the rest of the film to work. The Tarzan/Sabor fight is when the movie starts to get good. Tarzan presents Sabor’s body to Kerchak as a way of saying that he honors Kerchak as the leader of the family. Tarzan has no intention of overthrowing Kerchak as other young apes might try to do. Tarzan only wants to be one with the rest of them. Kerchak’s eyes seem to indicate that he reluctantly sees Tarzan in a new light as a way to protect the family. At that moment, another conflict arises for Tarzan. He comes to the knowledge of his origins. I like Clayton’s line, “It’s no gorilla.” Jane and Porter’s reactions are quite humorous because that is one of the things you don't want to hear your guide say. Usually the villain in a “Tarzan” story is a mustache twirler and Clayton is that but the fact that he is also a rugged hunter presents a greater danger to Tarzan so I applaud that change. The filmmakers also depict Jane differently. Other incarnations have depicted Jane as only a damsel in distress. Disney's version of this character may be in distress but she is further developed as an explorer and intelligent woman. Her appearance is such that she is not associated with Disney Princesses. She is beautiful but in the realistic sense. Jane is an adaptive female as well but her first week in the jungle is still unlike what she was expecting as seen by her wardrobe. I like her scene with the baby baboon. Jane also reacts realistically to her environment in her first few scenes, especially when she meets Tarzan. Stereotypically in a movie, a woman would immediately fall in love with a “wild man in a loincloth” but instead; Jane is scared out of her mind, as would probably be the case in real life. Thanks to Jane’s British background, any cliché humor feels fresh. Once in the tree and the danger having past, we get a very entertaining scene with Jane trying to keep the curious Tarzan at bay. We also get the classic “Me Tarzan, you Jane” moment but Disney is able to make it even more memorable by adding the very funny “Oh, I see” joke. Once Tarzan leaves with the rest of his family, Jane begins to realize the amazing and important nature of her adventure. The scene where she is drawing Tarzan on the chalkboard is well written and performed. The romance in the film, beginning with the aforementioned scene in the tree, is well crafted as well. Jane may be a strong damsel but she is still a damsel; shy and in denial about her feelings towards Tarzan. Tarzan, on the other hand, has a much more troubling inner turmoil as mentioned: where does he belong. It is a problem that was solved until humans entered the picture. Tarzan at one point decides to go with Jane to London because he now understands that he was adopted but also because he feels that he has betrayed his adoptive family and can’t go back. He does go back however not just because his family is in danger but because he understands that he doesn’t belong in the human world. I love how Tarzan imitates the sound of a gun during his epic showdown with Clayton. That is style. Kerchak’s final words are great for resolution. Tarzan therefore must stay in the jungle because he has to lead the family. Jane’s overcomes her conflict also in that she admits that she loves Tarzan enough to stay with him. Overjoyed to be with him, she kisses him until she comes to her senses. Tarzan returns her love with the same gesture. It is just as romantic as anything from past Disney films.

As entertaining as the story is, the other elements supporting it are just as noteworthy if not more so. Just like on “The Lion King”, Disney utilizes a rock star to write the songs. This time however, Phil Collins’ original versions end up in the film. Rather than have Mark Mancina create a new version for every song like Hans Zimmer did with Elton John’s songs on “The Lion King”, most of the songs in “Tarzan” are Collins’ renditions. He also sings all but one of the songs. He is a major contributor to the film’s mood, probably more so than Elton John was on “The Lion King”. “You’ll Be in My Heart” may have won the Oscar for Collins but any of his songs are worthy of the same prize. “Son of Man” and “Strangers Like Me” have such energy to them and the montages that accompany them further the story perfectly. Tarzan’s classic yell even becomes part of the musical score. By making the apes American and the humans British, the filmmakers further differentiate the two worlds. It is a good tactic. The filmmakers were also smart in making this jungle slightly different than those seen in “The Jungle Book” or “The Lion King”. Speaking of that, I love the 3D environments developed for the film. After more than 15 years, the backgrounds and camera moves as rendered in the computer are still fascinating. It makes Tarzan’s “tree surfing” even cooler and continues the Disney tradition of furthering the technology of animation. The cast was also well chosen. I was familiar with Tony Goldwyn from “Ghost” and Glenn Close from “101 Dalmatians” but they were both playing villains in those films. “Tarzan” showed me that they could both easily portray good-natured characters. Minnie Driver is the best vocal performance in this film. Driver portrays the active and outgoing Jane wonderfully and her laugh is so unique. I knew Brian Blessed from seeing “Star Wars: Episode I” and he did great as the villainous Clayton. Lance Henriksen’s voice is so powerful and commanding, almost like James Earl Jones. He is the one that makes Kerchak so dominant.

The Disney studio continued to effect pop culture with this show. We live in a "Disnified" society. For example when anyone mentions Tarzan, this film most likely is the first thing to come into peoples' minds. Because this was the last major box office success before a few minor successful Disney animated films in the early 2000’s, most critics agree that “Tarzan” concludes the Disney Renaissance. While I can understand their stance, I must make some slight disagreements. I am a huge fan of “The Emperor’s New Groove” (2000) & “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” (2001). Also I would have to say that “Fantasia 2000” should be the concluding film of that era. Having said that, the ending of “Tarzan” sure wraps up the Renaissance powerfully. One might wonder why I have withheld the five star rating from this film and I really can't give a good justification. The only reason I can think of is that this film is great in terms of story, action and drama but a tad lacking in the humor aspect. "Tarzan" does have some funny moments but they are not balanced with the drama as perfectly as with other films. The movie has a very appealing leading character though. The songs are amazing and the film is sure to become a classic Disney film alongside others of the era.

4.5 Stars