Tarzan Triumphant
Another Kind of Jungle Book

He's one of the most recognized literary characters of the 20th century. And although scores of films have been made about the vine-swinging jungle dweller, Tarzan has never been the subject of an animated film. In hindsight, the moment is long overdue.

With the success of Disney films like The Jungle Book and The Lion King - and the technical and artistic brilliance of the latter - it seems odd that no one considered translating the legend of Tarzan to the animation board before now. To be honest, my biggest concern was not if it could be done, but if the story could do the legend justice. Thankfully, Disney passed with flying colors, providing Tarzan with a wonderful jungle feel and a story worthy of legend.

Tarzan goes to the earliest incarnation of the legend, to tell the story of an abandoned human baby found by gorillas in Africa. The family group raises the child, who tries desperately to fit in despite the fact that he is weaker and smaller than the other primates. As he grows, the story progresses to one of finding his true identity and his place in the world.

While among his animal family, we hear Tarzan (Tony Goldwyn) and the animals speaking English (a translation of their ape language). In true Disney form, the anthropomorphic gorillas are endowed with a variety of characteristics and personalities. From the gruff leader of the tribe, Kerchak (Lance Henriksen) who is concerned with the family before all else, to the freewheeling Terk (talk show host Rosie O'Donnell) whose curiosity regarding the baby Tarzan leads them to become best friends, there are a number of interesting characters and fabulous voices to back them.

In addition, veteran actress Glenn Close lends her voice to Kala, the female gorilla who raises Tarzan. Wayne Knight helps provide comic relief as the timid elephant Tantor. Minnie Driver portrays Jane, the daughter of a professor seeking to study the gorillas.

The animation in Tarzan is quite realistic when it suits the story. The gorillas are drawn with exquisite care, perfectly mirroring the way the actual animals move. Tarzan, too, moves like an ape, walking on his knuckles and hugging the ground. Other characters, like the elephants, are drawn in a cartoon-ish fashion reminiscent of the marching pachyderms in The Jungle Book. Yet, despite the incongruity, the different animation techniques blend splendidly.

The sound in Tarzan is incredible. There are moments of sheer technical brilliance when the jungle seems to come alive. One scene, in particular, caused me to focus on this aspect, because I could distinguish different sounds coming from different speakers in the theater, giving me the feeling that I, like Tarzan, was surrounded by the jungle. The attention to detail was breathtaking.

Likewise, the soundtrack by Phil Collins weaves the story together with a series of uplifting songs perfectly suited to the film. Although Tarzan is not a musical, the music builds and helps tell the story. It has been years since I felt the soundtrack of a Disney movie was worthwhile. This one made me sit up and take notice.

With just the right mixture of humor and great storytelling, Tarzan doesn't pander to a young audience. Although there is violence inherent in any Tarzan story, it is handled with grace and subtlety. Yet, there are moments of comic relief to delight kids. Children, young and old, will love it.

MY RATING: 8 out of 10.

RATED:
RUN TIME: 88 min.

Tarzan Triumphant Another Kind of Jungle Book

Tarzan Triumphant
Another Kind of Jungle Book