Customer Reviews:
Charming, Disney tale exploring acceptance,loyalty,love & betrayal.......2007-12-26
A well animated, fun adaptation that provides a different take on Tarzan. There are some excellent action sequences such as the fight between the Leopard Sabor and Tarzan. With the demise of the Leopard Tarzan unknowingly avenges the death of his human parents and earns the respect of his new family. Other good action sequences include the capture and the liberation of the apes.
The story is well written and the sequence where Kerchak finally repents and accepts Tarzan after being shot is particularly touching. Romance is obviously provided in the shape of Jane and she finally opts to choose Tarzan ahead of a return to England.
Terk and Tantor are Tarzan's sidekicks and they help enrich the movie by providing much of the humour, the baby baboon character is also funny as is some of the banter between Jane and her father.E.g "Shall I leave you alone with the blackboard for the moment" when Jane is drawing a diagram of Tarzan and wistfully reminiscing about his deep, meaningful eyes.
The music score is quite good but inferior to the music in some of the other Disney movies like Pocahontas. In contrast to one of the other reviewers I enjoyed Clayton as a villain and I thought he was brilliantly voiced by Brian Blessed. The Special Edition is packed full of featurettes,images, activities and other Special Features.
A little dusty but the Disney magic is still there.......2007-06-07
I wasn't sure whether I'd like "Tarzan" when I bought it. Having fallen out of the habit of watching the latest Disney films throughout my teenage years, I've recently been trying to catch up, and while I've been fortunate enough to see both "Mulan" and "The Emperor's New Groove" recently, I'm aware that some of Disney's other animated features from the last ten years have a reputation for being far inferior to these. Thankfully, "Tarzan", in spite of one imagining that its protagonist has not quite yet hit puberty given his obvious lack of facial and body hair, is not included in this number.
As far as the story goes, it is somewhat more sophisticated than the usual Disney fare. The story is fast-moving and never loses momentum; the hour and a half simply flew by for me. Honest in ways that Disney's earlier "Pocahontas" never quite managed to be, the conflict Tarzan faces in choosing between his adoptive family and a biological human family is entirely compelling. While the main story is the romance between Tarzan and Jane (voiced superbly by Minnie Driver), "Tarzan" successfully weaves other stories alongside it, which neither overwhelm the main one nor feel unnecessary. The villain is quite unmemorable, especially when considered alongside the other great Disney character villains of the '90s, such as Gaston and Scar, but it's not really about a fight against him: most of the struggles the characters face are internal. I was honestly on tenterhooks towards the end, and the moment when Tarzan races through the jungle, tearing off his human clothes so that all he is left wearing is his loincloth, is wonderful as both a plot point and on a deeper, more symbolic level. The famous "Tarzan cry" does not disappoint either, and Disney, wisely, limits its use to only a few (wonderfully animated) moments throughout the film.
The relationships between the characters are easily the best part of "Tarzan". Tarzan and Jane's is convincing, and unlike some other animated films, it is very easy to root for them as a couple. The other, non-romantic, relationships are also well-done, particularly Tarzan and his mother, and Tarzan and his best friend Terk. My favourite relationship, however, is that of Jane and her father. Together they are frothy, light-hearted and affectionate. Take their first scene together, when they come across gorilla-nests: "Daddy, look! Over there, and there!" "I see them!" "Just as you predicted - family groups!" "Oh Jane, I love you!" They then hug, and it is all quite silly but ever so amusing and British.
Visually, it's a very mixed-bag. The depiction of the jungle scenery is beautiful and the artists have clearly done their homework. Tarzan's surroundings are generally limited to three or four basic landscapes for most of the film, which allows the viewer to see the jungle through his eyes, as a familiar, home-like environment rather than a confusing wilderness. The few times that Tarzan is seen outside these places, it is at moments when he is in dire straits. However, the difference between the landscapes and the artwork for the animals and the humans is startling. The animals tend to look fairly realistic - with the exception of the elephants, although they seem to hearken back to the design of the elephants in Disney's "Jungle Book". Unfortunately the only humans to be similarly aesthetically-pleasing are Jane and Clayton, the villain: Tarzan's face often looks quite goofy - a brave (if somewhat hilariously misguided) choice to make in depicting the "King of the Apes". And the less said about the poor-quality drawings of Jane's father, the better. Nevertheless, in spite of their appearances, the humans are all animated well - particularly Tarzan himself. I felt that I could have watched him bounding and swinging his way through the jungle for hours, so impressive were the effects.
My one real complaint? The music. Oh, the music. Oh, Phil Collins. I'm no fan, I'm afraid, and his warblings throughout the film greatly detracted from my overall enjoyment. How I longed for a piece of classical music - or, at the very least, something more traditionally Disney - at the more dramatic moments. Listening to him singing during the otherwise-perfect scenes between Tarzan and his adoptive mother was almost painful. Disney is so, so capable of producing emotive parent-child scenes where music plays a huge role - see, for example, "Dumbo" or "The Lion King" - that it breaks my heart that this one came so close to similar success, only to be thwarted by Phil "Groovy Kind Of Love" Collins.
I apologise: Phil Collins clearly brings out the very worst in me.
The extras are extremely impressive in their range, and certainly well worth the price of the DVD. While the games are somewhat repetitive, they are entertaining enough for younger children. More interesting to the adult viewer are the enlightening audio commentaries and plethora of featurettes, all of which merit watching or listening to (although given the sheer number, I wouldn't recommend this as a task to be performed in one sitting!). Also of interest are the deleted scenes - I found the deleted opening extremely chilling, and I half-wish it could have made it into the final feature.
All in all, while it's not quite up to the classic Disney standards - Phil Collins, j'accuse! - it is extremely entertaining and certainly stands as one of the better Disney films of the last ten years. I found myself in tears within the first ten minutes, proving that Disney still has the ability to make the old magic work. Genuinely engaging for both adults and children, I have no qualms about giving this four stars, and I really hope that everyone else enjoys it as much as I did.
*** ITS OKAY ***.......2007-03-22
I bought this for my daughter who is 5 and we had several attempts at viewing this before finally seeing the end of the movie. That's not because it is bad. I mean its hard to find really obvious flaws in it but the truth is it just lacks originality and flair. Its just typical formulaic Disney without the spark of inspiration or originality that characterises their great movies. The animation is good, the voice characterisation is good and I can even overlook the Phil Collins soundtrack but the truth is that this just didnt grip me or my little girl and so my advice would be to pass on this one unless you already own all the other Disney movies.
Joy in the Jungle.......2006-05-06
The school that I work at has been preparing a Disney concert, so those of us that were directly involved in putting it on agreed to watch as many Disney films with music as we could. For a 'Jungle' section everybody suggested 'The Jungle Book' and 'The Lion King'. I've never liked 'The Lion King' much : I hate lions and so didn't care what happened to the characters, and the music is, to my ears, average.
I decided to try 'Tarzan'. I watched it last night, and it gave me enormous pleasure. I was so thrilled watching it! The animation is superb, with great depth to the picture. The smiles and gurgles of baby Tarzan made me ridiculously happy ; the boy Tarzan was great fun to watch ; and the adult Tarzan, though hard-featured, is very well drawn. It is fun watching Tarzan and his animal friends growing up as the tale progresses. The human element (absent in 'The Lion King') drew me right into the story and made me care what happened both to the humans and to the gorilla family that adopted Tarzan. As always with Disney, the heroes have American accents and the villains R.P. English accents, which really annoys me. (How can Tarzan pick up an American accent when his tutors have English accents?!)
The music is by Phil Collins, and if you like Phil Collins, you will love the songs. He's a drummer, and you can hear it ; it's so appropriate for a jungle theme. What is brilliant is that the music supports the drama : it's not filler material ; and there's not too much of it. Phil's voice soars, making it very thrilling indeed.
The extras are many and of varying levels of interest, some aimed at children, others aimed at adults who are interested in animation and film-making.
If you haven't seen Disney's 'Tarzan', do yourself a favour and see it soon. It will lift your heart!
This film is king of the jungle!!!!.......2005-05-16
Phil rocks my world and his songs in Tarzan kick all other asses. The songs are the highlight of this movie and the animation is grippingly stunning.
i recommened this film because the music is great, the animation eye-catching and the character's believable. Go see it to be taken into a new and exciting world full of menace. peace out.
Amazon.co.uk Review
Whereas the original Tarzan tells the story of a man raised by gorillas who learns to bring together the human and animal worlds, Tarzan 2 is a prequel, of sorts, focusing on a chapter from Tarzan's childhood where he realizes he is not an ape and sets out to discover his true identity. The young misfit runs away from his loving mother, Kala (voiced by Glenn Close), and wanders up the Dark Mountain to come face to face with the monstrous Zugor. But all is not serious in this 72-minute boondoggle; there is Disney's usual foray into frivolity by way of a few wisecracking sidekicks--a couple of gorilla brothers named Uto and Kago, and their nettlesome Mama Gunda (voiced by Estelle Harris, a laudable choice). Despite the star-studded voice cast, there is a sense of re-tread ground here, and the story (loosely based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' distinctive tale) shows signs of formulaic Disney. Nonetheless, Phil Collins' trio of original songs livens the pace to make the effort a short-lived smile. (Ages 6 to 14) --Lynn Gibson, Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk Review
After viewing Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote to Walt Disney about adapting his novel of an ape-man into a feature animated cartoon. Sixty odd years later, the tale is finally told with brilliant design work that looks unlike any previous animated film. The story is a natural for Disney since the themes of misunderstood central figures have been at the heart of most of its recent hits. Disney's Tarzan doesn't wander far from the familiar story of a shipwrecked baby who is brought up by apes in Africa. What gives the film its zing is its clever use of music (the songs are sung by Phil Collins himself rather than onscreen characters) and the remarkable animation. Deep Canvas, a 3-D technology, was developed for the film, creating a jungle that comes alive as Tarzan swings through the trees, often looking like a modern skateboarder racing down giant tree limbs. The usual foray of sidekicks, including a rambunctious ape voiced by Rosie O'Donnell, should keep the little ones aptly entertained. The two lead voices, Tony Goldwyn as Tarzan and Minnie Driver as Jane, are inspired choices. Their chemistry helps the story through the weakest points (the last third) and makes Tarzan's initial connection with all things human (including Jane) delicious entertainment. Disney still is not taking risks in its animated films, but as cookie-cutter entertainment, Tarzan makes a pretty good treat.
On the DVD: It's the dish--mistakes, unused footage, creative differences, embarrassing behind-the-scene stories--that makes collector's editions so much fun. Unfortunately, this goes against the Disney philosophy of picture-perfection, and this two-set disc shows it; only half of the new material is engaging. The other half of this second disc, the "Tarzan Archives," is a slickly produced filler--more publicity fluff than real insight on the development of the film and the animation process. Much better are the three abandoned scenes (with voices and storyboards), including a much fiercer opening and ending, plus dozens of sketches made over the years as the designers pursued the luscious look of the film. The original audio demos Phil Collins made for the film are also intriguing (mostly filled with dummy or place-holding lyrics). The new audio commentary (by the producer and two directors) is a "fireside chat" variety, hardly worth more than one listen. Two side-by-side comparisons of storyboards to final film are a great tool to show youngsters how the animated process works, as is animator Glen Keane's talks on animating Tarzan. Also for kids: a read-along book and trivia game. --Doug Thomas
Product Description
Beasts roar, danger abounds and Johnny Weismuller swoops into the last 5 of his 12 adventures as film's definitive Tarzan. The vine swinger provedes World War 2 heroics in Tarzan Triumphs and Tarzan's Desert Mystery. Next, he welcomes Jane home and champions a secluded female tribe in Tarzan and the Amazons. A deadly cult proves no match for the jungle lord in Tarzan and the Leopard Woman. And the Ape Man calls elephants to deal with poachers in Tarzan and the Huntress and rescues a pearl-diving community in Tarzan and the Mermaids. What came next? Weissmuller would return to the wilds as Jungle Jim, Johnny Sheffield (Boy) became Bomba the Jungle Boy, Joyce played Jane again in Tarzan's Magic Fountain and Cheetah became the world's oldest chimp, celebrating birthday 74 in 2006. Ungawa!
Customer Reviews:
Tarzan Cats 2.......2006-04-06
This is the second vol to the first i reveiwed and the call of tarzan was awfull as though he was in pain miss this at all cost and vol 1 you will not regret it unless you buy it sorry but jonny & Ron are far better.
Product Description
Import from the Netherlands, which plays in English. Tarzan, orphaned at birth in darkest Africa, raised by the Great Apes, he grew up in the primative world of the jungle. Until fate brought him face to face with his past. Taking his rightful place as Earl of Greystoke, Tarzan soon became disenchanted with civilization, he returned home to Africa. Tarzan Lord of the Jungle.
Don McLeod who played the Great Ape Bolgani began his career as the ape in the old "American Tourister" baggage commercials and considers himself a professional gorilla actor.
episode list 1.12 - 1.22: Tarzan and the White Pebble Tarzan and the Moon God Tarzan and the Forbidden City Tarzan and the Leopard Demon Tarzan and the Demon Within Tarzan and the Mahars Tarzan and the Amtorans Tarzan and the Beast of Dunali Tarzan and the Shadow of Anger Tarzan and the Mystery of the Lake Tarzan and the Circus Hunter
DVD:
- The Borrowers [1997]
- The Care Bears Movie [1985]
- The Lion King (Special Edition Gift Pack) [1994]
- The Phoenix and the Carpet [1997] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- The Popeye Collection
- The Pregnancy And Postnatal Workout
- The Princess and the Goblin [1992] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- The Real Ghostbusters - Sea Fright
- The Sundowners [1960] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- The Wiggles: Hoop-Dee-Doo! - It's a Wiggly Party/Dance Party (REGION 1) (NTSC)
DVD List
DVD
All Family Favourites
|
Family Favourites
|
Children's DVD
|
Categories
|
DVD
|
Video
![Hercules [1997]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00006AFGE.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
Hercules [1997]
![Mulan [1998]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00061RZBA.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
Mulan [1998]
Tarzan 2
![The Hunchback Of Notre Dame [1996]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00006422O.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame [1996]
![Pocahontas (Special Edition) [1995]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0007D9CQI.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
Pocahontas (Special Edition) [1995]
![Tarzan And Jane [2002]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000069JE0.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![The Hunchback Of Notre Dame 2 - The Secret Of The Bell [2001]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00005U1XC.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![Pocahontas 2 -Journey To A New World [1998]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00004I9Q9.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![Atlantis: Milo's Return [2003]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00009QNWE.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![The Fox And The Hound [1981]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00004L8J5.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![Dumbo (1941) (Disney) [1942]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00004CIS6.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![Beauty And The Beast [1992]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00005783S.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![TARZAN THE FEARLESS/TARZAN AND THE TRAPPERS [2000]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000051WD4.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![Lady and the Tramp 1 & 2 double pack [1955]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000C65XP4.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![The Sword In The Stone [1963]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00005U1Y5.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
