Tarzan (1999) Reviewed by Eugene Novikov http://www.ultimate-movie.com Member: Online Film Critics Society
*** out of four
"I said he could stay. That doesn't make him my son." With the voice talents of Tony Goldwyn, Wayne Knight, Brian Blessed, Glenn Close, Alex D. Linz. Rated G.
Despite the recent success of pictures like Dreamworks' Antz, Disney continues to reign as the king of animation. In recent years, it has found a way to make "cartoons", as they are still affectionately called, equally accessable to both children and adults. Works like Aladdin entertained tykes with broader gags while keeping the often unwilling parents glued to their seat with the razor-sharp wit that has since become a trademark of Disney animation. The Lion King kept moviegoers of all ages riveted with the unexpected power of its story (and I'm still known to hum Hakuna Matata). So it comes as a disappointment that Disney's latest production contains the least in years to interest adults. Tarzan is one of the few features from the Mouse that fails to transcend both age groups.
Loosely adapted from Edgar Rice Burroughs' classic tall-tale, Tarzan is no longer a novelty, with nearly 50 films sporting some variation on the legendary Ape Man. Even some of Tarzan's target audience has seen films like George of the Jungle and have experience with the plot. And that plot has nearly become a mimeograph, a template for filmmakers to slightly tinker with and pass off as their own creation. Tarzan is abandoned by his family in the jungle (due to the family's death), discovered and raised by apes. Then Tarzan meets Jane, falls in love but gets in trouble with his ape family as well as some of Jane's malevolent companions.
With Tarzan, Disney has dared to release their first non-musical feature in years, wisely keeping the songs being played in the background. Unfortunately it is also the most non-memorable Disney feature. The humor that punctuated films like The Lion King and Hercules is virtually absent from this effort. Furthermore, Tarzan lacks interesting characters, owing to the fact that Tarzan barely ever speaks. Visually, this is one of the most impressive animated films to date, but as Hollywood has discovered the hard way lately, visual flair is hard- pressed to replace other, more important cinematic qualities. Still, Tarzan seamlessly blends non-intrusive CGI images with the always impressive handiwork to make a movie that is a sublimely effective piece of eye-candy. And it tends to be more aesthetically pleasing to see an animated Tarzan swinging gracefully through the vines then, say, a live Johnny Weissmuller do it; he just doesn't have the knack for acrobatics demonstrated by our animated friend. If nothing else, this new Tarzan is gloriously devoid of campiness.
To its credit, this Tarzan has the guts to defy animation conventions. Not only does it omit the redundant showtunes, but the hero doesn't have a sidekick (what some might perceive as one isn't really a sidekick to Tarzan; more like a good pal) and the villain has no henchman. It's refreshing to see a different animated film, but unfortunately Tarzan leaves out some of the good qualities along with the bad.
The film is voiced rather undistinctively by Tony Goldwyn as Tarzan, Glenn Close as Tarzan's ape mother, Rosie O'Donnell as Tarzan's pal and Lance Henricksen as the skeptical head of the ape family. The only talent that stands out in Tarzan is that of the delightful Minnie Driver as Jane; whose deliciouisly sarcastic and often hilarious delivery is the only one that has a chance of appealing to the more sophisticated.
Family films need to be equally enjoyable to adults and wee ones alike, thus the "family" moniker. But movies that can be equally alluring to all age groups are exceedingly rare. Tarzan is superb childrens' filmmaking, but adults might fare better skipping this surprisingly sub- par endeavor. ©1999 Eugene Novikov‰
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