Tarzan
(1999)
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Walt Disney Pictures' animated adventure "Tarzan" is an innovative and entertaining exploration of the classic tale by Edgar Rice Burroughs. With music by Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Phil Collins, "Tarzan" is an adventure that traces the story of a human baby who is orphaned in the African jungle and lovingly raised by a family of apes. Tarzan's peaceful and sheltered world is turned upside down by the arrival of a human expedition and the revelation that he is one of them. As he struggles to decide which "family" he belongs with, his dilemma is further complicated by his feelings for a beautiful young woman named Jane and the discovery that a trusted member of his new human "family" is plotting to harm the apes. With an inspired cast of vocal talents and new technological breakthroughs that bring added depth and dimensionality to the jungle settings, Disney's animated version of "Tarzan" captures the fantasy, excitement, and imagination of this literary favorite as never before. |
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Despite its adherence to the usual “outsider who wants to belong” formula and some visually arresting action scenes, the first ever cartoon based on the classic jungle hero falls way short of Disney's recent output. With weak comic relief provided by assorted “Animalz N the Hood”, this vine, women and song saga is a frenetic mix of George of the Jungle and Gorillas in the Mist, with constant bouts of animated mayhem to keep the kids amused. Heaven forbid there should be any quiet, reflective moments as Tarzan (voiced by Tony Goldwyn) decides whether to stay in Africa or return to England with Jane (Minnie Driver). Lacking the epic sweep of Mulan or The Lion King, and laced with feeble background songs from Phil Collins (inexplicably awarded an Oscar), this King of the Swingers may be merchandise-friendly, but it's no jungle VIP.