Tarzan (1999) Review- By Michael J. Carlisle

Title: Tarzan
Year: 1999
Director: Chris Buck
Country: US
Language: English

The Edgar Rice Burroughs story about a man growing up amongst apes has been adapted countless times. The character's distinctive yell was created in the 1932 version Tarzan the Ape Man, which was famously hated by Adolf Hitler. The unique creation in Disney's adaptation was the revolutionary process of "Deep Canvas" wherein two-dimensional animation was integrated seamlessly into a three-dimensional background.  

The film is about a man raised by gorillas, who must decide where he really belongs when he discovers he is a human. 

" I wanna know, can you show me. I wanna know about these strangers like me" Easily the best, least dated and most memorable aspect of Tarzan is Phil Collin's incredible soundtrack. Each song fits the energetic pace of the film, sometimes more frantic than the picture itself. They are all quite catchy, but unfortunately they don't really connect to the plot. Perhaps one or two of the films could arguably about the film's theme, but ultimately you could stick this score in any energetic Disney movie and it would feel just as random. 

It is not difficult to sell people on the soundtrack alone, certainly it's the main reason for being the first Disney animated feature film to open at number 1 at the American box office and to win an Academy Award since Pocahontas (1995). Unfortunately none of the characters are fleshed out. There isn't a good reason to empathize with their plights & they don't really stand out. Tarzan's buddy Terk is eye catching...but in a very odd way. Why does she have a New York accent? Is it for humour's sake? I don't get it. 

The animation is a curious mix of being at times impressive, and at times quite bland. For a film set in the jungle, Tarzan's background is uninspired despite having pretty colours. The mark of a "great" Disney movie is to inspire you as a child and as an adult, but unfortunately in 2016 I was quite bored with it. I will say that it does make for a good Phil Collins' soundtrack.