"The Legend Of Tarzan," is a film I was really pumped to see. Whats not to like? A terrific cast, an exotic location, and a great story, make up one incredible evening at the movies. But does it live up to the hype? Heres the story.
In the decade after the original Tarzan took place, we find Tarzan, now called John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, living in England and acting like a civilized human being with wife Jane. And while he gets along in the world, its quite clear, when he see's Jane teaching children about Africa, that he misses it deeply. Jane too. He finds her high up in a tree dreaming of going back and you know, he wants it too. When an opportunity comes up to travel back as a representative for the British government, he is hesitant, and we get a glimpse why. Before leaving, Tarzan was involved in a fight that had catastrophic consequences. He knows going back could put a price on his head. This is where Christoph Waltz does his best to make sure Tarzan pays for that act. What Tarzan doesn't realize at first, is Waltz is acting for foregin powers. One that want to destroy Africa and everything that Jane and Tarzan love about it. And Waltz will do anything.. including harm Jane to make it happen.
I liked this film a lot. Skarsgard is perfect as Tarzan, and Margot Robbie looks and acts the part of the defiant heroine. Samuel L Jackson, plays George Washington Williams, a real life American historian of the African people, and good comedy in the company of Tarzan. For every exhausting run that Tarzan has, comes the panting but determined face of Williams, ready to offer Tarzan whatever back up he needs. Waltz is a good villian, but I fear he is pigeon holing himself into roles of "vaguely eastern european baddies" who have secret agendas. That being said, he plays that part very very well. I was a little shocked by the big names they have in the film that do very little, such as Jim Broadbent, Ben Chaplin and Djimon Hounsou who together make up less than 15 minutes of film. Which leads me to believe their parts were most likely bigger and ended up on the cutting room floor. Which makes me want to read the original script by Craig Brewer and Adam Cozad. I have a feeling there was more to it. What is clear is that they were trying to go beyong the Tarzan story we all know and talk abbout the very real problems that plagued Africa during this time. I wish we'd gotten a little more of that.
The CGI is sometimes good, and sometimes it isn't, with some of it looking unrealistic. But the action is incredible. And your interested in the story from begining to end. I also really liked Skarsguard and Jackson's chemistry. They bring a good fun and lightness to the film. Its a fun film to take the kids to. I overall enjoyed it very much.
THE VERDICT
The Legend Of Tarzan , despite some over used CGI, has a good story with great actors that keeps you entertained. I give it a B+.
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