Tarzan (1999)

Directed by: Chris Buck, Kevin Lima | 88 minutes | animation, adventure, drama, family, romance | Original voice cast: Tony Goldwyn, Glenn Close, Minnie Driver, Rosie ODonnell, Brian Blessed, Nigel Hawthorne, Lance Henriksen, Wayne Knight, Alex D. Linz, Taylor Dempsey | Dutch voice cast: Mosche Burmeister, Peter Blok, Katja Schuurman, Plien van Bennekom, Ernst Daniël Smid, Piet Ekel, Tannele Hartzuiler, Peter Bolhuis, Mila Teule, Jack Wouterse, Frans van Deursen, Bram Bart, Corry van der Linden, Marjolein Algera, Marlous van den Heuvel, Koos van der Knaap, Fred Meijer, Freek Bos

It’s true, Disney films can sometimes be too sweet and preachy and will certainly not appeal to every animation fan because of their musical form. But few people will resist the overwhelming spectacle called ‘Tarzan’. This is a movie that you can watch over and over again for its amazingly dynamic action scenes. And if there are also nice characters, well-dosed humor, and a touch of romance in the film, little can go wrong.

‘Tarzan’ uses a new technique that allows more layers to be added to the animation, and it shows. The wild overgrown jungle, full of impressive trees and canopies and colorful flora and fauna, comes to life in an exciting way. There is almost more depth to it than in ‘Avatar 3D’. And Tarzan maneuvers through here, at one with nature, like an accomplished snowboarder and trapeze artist, whether or not followed by a horde of baboons, a leopard or a herd of elephants. And with or without a screaming Jane in his arms. Sometimes you have to catch your breath, but it’s a luxury problem.

The story elements and character types are, of course, familiar – the orphan who finds a new home, the loss of a child, the frivolous damsel in distress, the vicious white intruder who wants to chain or exterminate the noble animals/natives for his own gain – but on the execution is hardly noticeable. And the talent of the voice actors also has to do with this. For example, Rosie O’Donnell gives some spunk to the stereotypical sidekick Terk and Minnie Driver is a delight as the flirtatious and lively Jane, who, although articulate, also plays her role at important moments as a screaming, clumsy woman who needs to be rescued.

Phil Collins’ soundtrack may not be to everyone’s taste, but at least it’s not too overpowering or an end in itself. The musical content is therefore limited, with more attention to telling the story in traditional form.

Perhaps Tarzan is a little too submissive in this Disney version – as long as he has appreciation and love from his gorilla parents – but that doesn’t mean the movie ‘Tarzan’ is childish and tame. On the contrary. The littlest ones should do something else because of the heavy action, sharp teeth and scary faces appearing on screen, and a few deaths. However, the more mature viewers will enjoy themselves extremely well. Men as well as women. There is actually no sermon in it and the message, and the romance is presented light-heartedly, through humor and action. After all, it is good for the real Disney fan to know that the family values ​​are well communicated. How do they manage to get it all in such a compact package of less than an hour and a half? respect.