Movie Title: The Legend of Tarzan
Grade: B
Rating: PG-13, 109 minutes
In a Nutshell: Director David Yates is most known for his work with the last four Harry Potter films. This time he brings us a new take on Edgar Rice Burrough’s Tarzan.
One of Hollywood’s first silent films was the Tarzan story, shortly after the original book came out. While the story is flawed, and many feel like there was no need for a remake, the lush, romantic images in this movie will make you feel like Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bocall could float down the river at any minute.
Did you ever see the 1984 movie “Greystoke”? I loved it and highly recommend it. This story…sort of….begins where that movie left off.
Uplifting theme:
- “A normal man can do the impossible to save the woman he loves. My husband is no normal man.” – Jane Clayton
- Honor, friendship, loyalty, revenge, respect.
- The value of human an animal life.
Things I liked:
- The musical score sounded very exotic and mysterious from the very beginning.
- Christoph Waltz is fantastic in anything.
- Alexander Skarsgard makes for a perfectly believable Tarzan. I loved it when he greeted the lions he had known since they were cubs. So sweet. Great CGI moment! As a 6’4″ hunk of muscle and abs, Alexander convincingly plays a kind Tarzan who can easily kick butt when needed.
- Margot Robbie makes a lovely, spunky Jane Porter. She’s a British actress playing an American, while Alexander Skarsgard is an American playing a Brit.
- Samuel Jackson. Ha ha He looks like he’s having fun. His character is actually based on a real person.
- Beautiful scenery and settings.
- Tarzan thinks those pincer ants taste like bacon. Ha ha
- There is a lot of action and movement from start to finish.
- There are some emotional moments akin to Bambi losing his mother.
Things I didn’t like:
- The movie jumps back and forth in time and could become confusing for some people.
- Sometimes the apes and animals looked real; other times the CGI looked too fake.
- There is a LOT of narration so that the audience can understand what’s going on. The problem is that the movie almost talks down to the audience. Show us; don’t just tell us.
- Samuel L. Jackson’s existence in the movie is merely for comic relief. He represents an American emissary, which doesn’t make a lot of sense in the story line.
- You hear Tarzan’s famous yell, but you never actually see Alexander Skarsgard do it. You also hear him growl like lions and other animals, but again, it’s a soundtrack behind him and you never see his face while he’s making those sounds.
Funny lines:
- “I’ve already been to Africa. And it’s hot.” – John Clayton (Tarzan)
- “I never take the stairs. I usually take the curtains.” – John Clayton
- “You DO know that the right side of your mustache is just a little bit lower than the left?” – Jane
- “How are we supposed to catch a train going 40 miles an hour?” – Samuel L. Jackson “Gravity.” – Tarzan
Interesting lines:
- “He’s Tarzan. You’re Jane. He’ll come for you.” – Captain Rom (Christoph Waltz)
- “They say an elephant’s eye speaks the greatest language. Who else can say so much without speaking a word?” – Tarzan
- “These are what you came for? What will you do for them? – Chief Mbonga (Djmon Hounsou)
“Whatever is necessary.” – Leon Ron (Christoph Waltz)
* No man ever started with less.” – Jane
- “Your husband’s wildness easily disturbs me more than I can easily express, whereas your spirit…” Captain Rom
- “That woman!” – Captain Rom
- “What was that?” – Captain Rom’s assistant
“Tarzan, although it sounded different than I thought. Better.” – Captain Rom
Tips for parents:
- There is a LOT of violence. Man vs. man. Man vs. animal.
- Some profanity, usually out of the mouth of Samuel L. Jackson.
- The issues of African slavery, mistreatment of the American Indians, and “blood diamonds” are addressed.
- There is a before and after sex scene, but the audience doesn’t see what happens in between.
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