In 1912, Edgar Rice Burroughs introduced Tarzan – a jungle
hero determined to save his habitat. In many ways, Tarzan was an early
eco-warrior, defending nature against outside interests. Countless films
and TV shows have been made of this enduring character. It’s difficult
seeing how any new film could be fresh although ‘The Legend of Tarzan’ gives it
a good go. Almost a remake of ‘Greystoke: the Legend of Tarzan’ from
1984, it mirrors its realistic rustic charms. This 21st Century Tarzan
also proves swinging from jungle vines still looks cool a century from his
debut.
John Clayton (Alexander Skarsgard) lives in London with his
wife Jane (Margot Robbie). Born in the African jungle and raised by an
ape, John has left this life behind. When American George Washington
Williams (Samuel L Jackson) asks John to look into the shady dealings of land
owner King Leopold and his assistant Leon (Christoph Waltz), he accepts.
Returning to Africa, John quickly reverts to his old name of Tarzan, as
Leopold’s machinations put the lives of all Tarzan holds dear in mortal peril.
‘The Legend of Tarzan’ is a surprising movie.
Surprising in that it’s actually bearable to watch compared to other Tarzan
movies. Whilst it has issues in terms of somewhat sluggish pacing, it’s a
generally fun caper full of well filmed action. Credit goes to director David
Yates who teases something special out of the formulaic screenplay. Yates
twists some of the classic Tarzan conventions on their head so as to not make
the film too predictable.
Tarzan’s acceptance of his heritage and how he came to be
are well handled. The actors mostly do a decent job in these sequences as
well as the excitingly shot action scenes. Skarsgard doesn’t do much
except look rather serious in a loincloth with Jackson providing the
charismatic spark the film needs. Waltz must be tired of playing so many
villains but he again does a good turn as the moustache twirling baddie.
The CGI compliments rather than take away from the drama, making the jungle
vistas come alive in all their glory.
‘The Legend of Tarzan’ has some problems but it’s a
generally enjoyable frolic. Not much can be taken too seriously and it
almost erases the rather dour image the character has built over the
years. It is one of the better Tarzan adaptations and surely not the last
for this eternally popular hero.
Movie Review Rating out of 10: 6
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
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