By WILLIAM THIESS
william@du2.byu.edu
Disney combines excellent animation and an average story line to create its 38th animated feature, 'Tarzan.' Disney's 'Tarzan' is an adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs 1912 novel, 'Tarzan of the Apes'.
Disney's Tarzan tells the story of Tarzan being adopted by gorillas after a leopard kills his human parents.
While growing up, Tarzan is rejected by several of the younger apes and struggles with his self-identity. He often questions who he is and why he is so different. After many years, a small group of British explorers hack their way deep into the jungles of Africa. They discover Tarzan and the family of apes. Tarzan discovers who he really is and is torn between joining the human explorers or staying with his adopted family. The movie's underlying theme is a struggle between nature versus nurture. Tarzan becomes very attracted to Jane, one of the young British explorers, but also discovers that the head of the British expedition plans to harm his ape family. There are several adventurous twists and turns throughout the movie.
Superb animation saves the film from becoming a Disney dud. Glen Keane animated the 'Tarzan' characters in traditional Disney fashion.
Artistry and technology were combined to create a breakthrough in animated visual effects. Many of the jungle scenes have a 3D feel to them, adding to the suspense and action scenes of the movie.
'Tarzan' has a star-studded cast of voices led by Rosie O'Donnell, Glenn Close, and Tony Goldwyn.
Phil Collins does a great job performing music for the movie. He kept the musical numbers light and in the background. The music was not overbearing as it has been in previous Disney films.
Similarities between 'Tarzan' and many other Disney films abound throughout the film. The producers were fairly successful at taking successful themes from other Disney animation hits and placing them into the 'Tarzan' story line.
Although not one of Disney's best, 'Tarzan' does provide solid animation entertainment. 'Tarzan' opens at theaters this Friday.