The Legend Of Tarzan Review : A Clichéd But Entertaining Adventure
Having grown up reading about the adventures of Tarzan in books written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, I was quite looking forward to see The Legend Of Tarzan as the last Tarzan film I had seen was the one starring Hemant Birje and Kimi Katkar.
Hence, it was with much anticipation that I walked into the cinema hall to catch the film starring Alexander Skarsgard, Margot Robbie and Christoph Waltz and believe you me, every scene of the film is worth a watch. Having said that, the film is quite clichéd and predictable, but if you are a fan of the Lord Of The Apes, you will definitely enjoy this adventure.
It is the 1880s and King Leopold of Belgium has dispatched his most trusted man Leon Rom (Waltz) to secure the legendary Opar diamonds and to secure those, Rom has to deliver Tarzan to tribal chief Mbonga (Djimon Hounsou), who has an old score to settle with 'Africa's favourite son', who is leading a gentrified life as Lord Greystoke with his wife Jane Porter in London, England.
Tarzan is lured to the jungles of Congo, where he is accompanied by George Washington Williams (Samuel L Jackson), who wants to investigate rumours of slave-mongering. On landing in Africa, Jane is promptly kidnapped by Rom and now the dashing hero has to rescue the damsel, slay the dragon and also save Congo from being pillaged by colonial forces. How Tarzan manages to go this forms the rest of the plot.
Skarsgard is simply awe-inspiring as the strong and silent Tarzan, who has not forgotten how to swing from trees despite years of living a civilized life in London. The actor has developed an impressive physique for the film and pulls off his role with aplomb. The first time Tarzan emits his famous yell (much later in the second half), you will end up smiling nostalgically and maybe even chuckling at the look of concern on the dastardly villain's face.
Margot Robbie is not your typical damsel in distress and lands a few good punches herself before being rescued by the 'King Of The Jungle'. Waltz, who had delivered a chillingly menacing performance as Colonel Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds, somewhat disappointed in this film as Leon Rom, with his deceptively gentle manner, seems to be an unworthy opponent to the invincible Tarzan. Though Rom is the baddie, he is not sinister enough to take on Tarzan. Jackson, who plays a real life character, is delightful as the Civil War veteran and his chemistry with Tarzan and Jane, not to mention his wisecracks, will certainly endear him to you.
Director David Yates, known for helming the Harry Potter films, delivers an old-fashioned, swash-buckling adventure, with a lesson in Colonial politics. The film has been shot beautifully and captures the majestic and the dangerous aura of Africa in equal measures. The stunt sequences are breath-taking and the fight scene where Tarzan pummels a train coach full of soldiers is one worth a few whistles.
Like mentioned earlier, the film is full of clichés and stock characters- the dashing hero, the heroine who must be rescued from a scoundrel, the loyal sidekick, the estranged brother who comes back to aid his sibling et al. However, there is a certain beauty to the way the story has been weaved, which makes you not mind the clichés so much. The CGI effects are breath-taking and the sight of the fearsome Mangani gorillas will make your heart skip a beat for sure,
If your childhood memories include reading about African jungles and the Lord Of The Apes, The Legend Of Tarzan is surely a must-watch this weekend.
The Legend of Tarzan Official IMAX Trailer (2016) - Margot Robbie, Alexander Skarsgård Movie HD
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Release Date : 01 July 2016
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Producer : David Barron, David Barron, Mike Richardson, Alan Riche, Jerry Weintraub
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Director : David Yates
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Cast : Alexander Skarsgard, Margot Robbie, Christoph Waltz, Djimon Hounsou, Simon Russell Beale, John Hurt, Lasco Atkins
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Genre : Adventure , Action