Director: David Yates
Writers: Adam Cozad, Craig Brewer
»Stars:
Alexander Skarsgard, Samuel Jackson, Rory J. Saper, Christian Stevens, Margot Robbie
COMMENTS: The 6’4 Alexander Skarsgard is not my ideal vision of the legendary Tarzan. I come from the Johnny Weismuller generation and Skarsgard is just too blond and Nordic. This version tells the story of Tarzan after he has been educated and “civilized” in England as Lord Greystoke. His background as Africa’s Tarzan is told in flashbacks, which are well conceived and successfully believable. I found myself emotionally engaged in him as a child being raised by the apes.
So far, okay but not heart-pounding. Lord Greystoke agrees to accompany American Samuel Jackson to explore slave-labor shenanigans in Africa to mine diamonds which the bankrupt King Leopold II of Belgium desperately needs. Christoph Waltz plays Leon Rom, who will do whatever it takes to make King Leopold’s goal happen. Leon, sleazy and ruthless, is a worthy villain to match Tarzan’s prowess. Chief Mbonga (Djimon Hounsou) agrees to help Rom get the diamonds if Tarzan is delivered to him. The Chief needs vengeance against our hero.
Once we’re in Africa and Tarzan reunites with the jungle animals, the screen explodes. Not only does the shirt come off – exposing Skarsgard’s magnificent body – but so does the genteel layer which has entrapped the passionate ferocity of a man who survives according to the laws of the untamed jungle. Now, he must rescue his beloved Jane from the wily Rom. If that were all to Tarzan, audiences would be happy enough. Surprisingly, Skarsgard brings emotional fragility to his role as well. There’s one beautiful scene where director David Yates frames a closeup profile of Skarsgard’s forehead and eye in the foreground, with the apes and villainous natives he’s looking at in the background. The brilliant light shining through Skarsgard’s blue eye depicts the vulnerable essence of humanity which must confront the feral savagery of the jungle and its natives, An unforgettable, beautiful scene.
Director Yates has also captured the beauty inherent in nature undisturbed, featuring Africa’s many breathtaking landmarks. The CGI scenes are transcendent. We watch Tarzan gliding through the jungle treetops, one vine to the next, and we feel the same exhilarating celebration of freedom in the journey.
The script is well written, establishing relationships which make the storyline work on all levels. I wish the opening scenes were shorter, because it doesn’t quite hook us in right away. Still, once Lord Greystoke becomes Tarzan again, okay, we’re in for the ride. I was happy to see the versatile Samuel Jackson play a hero for a change. He makes a great sidekick, his wise-cracking, irreverent character injecting welcome humor to Tarzan’s intense heroics. Djimon Hounsou's role was too small for me. He fills the theatre with his charismatic onscreen presence, and the scene where he comes to terms with Tarzan is a powerful and satisfying one.
In summary, this is a fun adventure film, and a magnificent Skarsgard Tarzan.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0918940/?ref_=nv_sr_1
TAGS: Alexander Skarsgard, Samuel Jackson, Rory J. Saper, Christian Stevens, Margot Robbie, David Yates, Tarzan, Adam Cozad, Craig Brewer, jungle, Africa
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