There’s Not Much That’s Legendary About ‘The Legend of Tarzan’

GameStop, Inc.

the-legend-of-tarzan-0002

I believe that I had the same reaction as everyone else upon hearing that 2016 would bring the world a new Tarzan movie – Huh? The vine-swinging character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs has been a staple of the cinema practically since the character’s inception and the ascendency of the medium. Yet for decades the character of Tarzan has become more and more antiquated – the expanding access of information about various corners of the world demystify the exotic locales that provide the setting for the tales of Tarzan. Returning to the big screen may not return to Tarzan to the iconic status of the past, but at least The Legend of Tarzan isn’t a total fiasco. It’s simply a muddled blockbuster with some fascinating ideas that elevate it above other mundane blockbusters.

David Yates’ film opens with title cards explaining the state of the African continent, with the various nations of Europe having divvied up the continent for their colonialist exploitation. The Belgian King Leopold has laid claim to the Congo and has bankrupt his kingdom in order to secure the vast diamond reserves. King Leopold’s chief officer in the Congo is Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz), who has an agreement with the tribal chief Mbonga (Djimon Hounsou) for the region’s diamonds. All Rom has to do is deliver Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård) to the Mbonga so he can have revenge for Tarzan killing his son.

However, Tarzan isn’t in the jungles of Africa. Since The Legend of Tarzan wisely avoids being an origin story, the legendary man raised by gorillas has taken up his place in English society. Tarzan has inherited a fortune as well as the title of the Lord of Greystoke, living in an expansive mansion with his wife Jane (Margot Robbie). Soon Tarzan receives and invitation to examine the state of King Leopold’s excavations in the Congo, and is implored to travel back to Africa by George Washington Williams (Samuel L. Jackson), an American emissary in London who wants to ensure that Leopold and his subordinates aren’t using slavery. Tarzan, Jane, and George travel to the Congo where they’ll see old friends and new foes as their confronted with the ugly face of colonialism.

The Legend of Tarzan isn’t quite a good movie, but at the same time I have to respect a massive production such as this that is explicit in its anti-colonialist messaging, explicitly stating that European nations ravaged the African continent. But the biggest issue facing the film is that it’s casual in its pacing, which really becomes detrimental as the film tries to flesh out Tarzan’s backstory through a series of flashbacks that occur throughout the film. The screenplay by Adam Cozad and Craig Brewer sets a fairly straightforward foundation to work upon but the film is often derailed by the incessant flashbacks.

There’s no bigger problem facing The Legend of Tarzan as than the simple fact that the least charismatic actor of the cast as the lead. Alexander Skarsgård may have the chiseled physique for the role, and he certainly has no problem showing off his muscular upper torso, but in any given scene the leading man of this movie can be overshadowed by any number of his excellent co-stars. Luckily for Skarsgård, many of the CGI animals that populate the jungle are fairly shoddy and inconsistent, so at least he’s not overshadowed by his digital co-stars. It’s a terrible shame, though, that The Legend of Tarzan gives very little to do for Samuel L. Jackson, Margot Robbie, and Christoph Waltz – each supporting character is given extremely unimaginative story arcs. Though there’s care to make sure that Robbie’s Jane isn’t just a damsel in distress, she’s still relegated to be a damsel in distress. Meanwhile, Christoph Waltz and Samuel L. Jackson try their best to will the rest of the movie into another stratosphere of quality in this pseudo-Django Unchained reunion, but are consistently underserved by the underwhelming script.

The action scenes within the movie aren’t poor, with Yates employing a very clean visual style for the moments of physical conflict. But the problem is that the action scenes aren’t particularly dramatic nor do they contain anything new and exciting. Tarzan swinging from vine to vine and tree to tree has the look of a second rate Spider-Man. Things go off the rails at the film’s climactic battle as Tarzan basically organizes all of the beasts of the jungle to carry out a raid on Rom and his men at a port city. Wildebeests, lions, and gorillas assault the town and save the Congo from further destruction at the hands of crass colonialism.

The Legend of Tarzan is just a really expensive B-movie, one that really doesn’t have much of a place in the modern era. While it’s certainly not the outright fiasco that many expected, The Legend of Tarzan only works to emphasize the fact that there’s a reason this character has slowly drifted away from the public consciousness and isn’t due for a revival any time soon. The shadow of the past and the horrors of colonialism still loom over the African continent and the globe as a whole, but our collective understanding of these factors have changed as well, and a character from 1912 isn’t able to connect in a much more meaningful way. Flaws and all, I still have the utmost respect for the gumption of David Yates and company in making The Legend of Tarzan a brazen indictment of colonialism, a jungle bound piece of escapist fare that doesn’t want to sugar coat the darkest corners of history. Too bad that brazenness was put to use on a strikingly unremarkable story.

The Legend of Tarzan
  • Overall Score
2.5

Summary

A somewhat sloppy reimagining of the legendary character, The Legend of Tarzan has some interesting aspects (avoiding an origin story, a strong anti-colonialism theme) that get lost in the muddled mythology.

Anytime Costumes

Leave a Reply

FanboyNation
Animation/Anime Interviews Animation/Anime News Animation/Anime Reviews Film/TV Interviews Film/TV News Film/TV Review
‘Wednesday’ Comes to Blu-ray on Tuesday from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

‘Wednesday‘ Comes to Blu-ray on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, from Warner...

Toy Lei Talks About Playing Auntie Victoria in ‘The Brothers Sun’ – Interview Rewind

Asian-American actress Toy Lei stars as Auntie Victoria in the new...

Marcus Massey Talks ‘Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2’ – Interview

Marcus Massey Shares his Wisdom as Owl in ‘Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and...

Event News Event Reviews
‘MJ the Musical’ Chronicles the Life of the ‘King of Pop’ Running at Segerstrom – Review

‘MJ the Musical‘ is the Ultimate Stage Adaptation, Chronicling the life...

Aiden Sinclair and Michael Rangel Talks ’57 Ghosts’ Aboard the Queen Mary Séance

Aiden Sinclair and Apparitionist, Michael Rangel Discuss their new Theatrical Séance...

Luke and Madison Rhoades Open ‘Slashers Axe Throwing’ – Interview

Luke and Madison Rhoades Open Orange County’s first ever horror themed...

Automotives Football MMA, Kick Boxing & Boxing Professional Wrestling
Olympic Runner Colleen Quigley ‘On The Road to Paris’

Team USA Olympic Runner, Colleen Quigley is On The Road to...

Paralympian Swimmer Ahalya Lettenberger On The Road to Paris

Team USA Paralympian Swimmer, Ahalya Lettenberger is On The Road to...

Ultimate Women of Wrestling Comes to the Globe Theatre – Interview

Ultimate Women of Wrestling Comes to the Globe Theatre on Sunday,...

Adult Continuity Comics on the Can Cultural Junk Drawer Future Comic Rock Stars Is That Racist? Revisiting the Reviled THAT'S NOT ROTTEN! The B-Reel The Cantina Scene This Week in Crowdfunding What the HELL Did I just...?
Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse – SID SPEAKS!

"We Demons! Let's go CRUNK on this punk-ass world!"

Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse: Escalation

When you said "Destroy" Kurt grabbed his mini-gun an AK-47 and...

Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse, the continuing saga!

If cautious means being careful when I break a foot off...

Music Interviews Music News Music Reviews
Joe Kwaczala Talks About His new Comedy Album ‘Funny Songs & Sketches’ – Interview

Joe Kwaczala Talks About His new Comedy Album ‘Funny Songs &...

Songwriter and Poet, Tamara Mechael Talks About Her Career in the Arts

First Generation Assyrian-Chaldean, Songwriter and Poet, Tamara Mechael Talks About Her...

Louden Swain Headlining Los Angeles Show at The Echo

Press Release – Louden Swain are headlining Los Angeles show at...

Enabled Gaming Gaming News Gaming Reviews
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Gameplay Trailer

The first Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League gameplay trailer was revealed during...

Wonder Woman Game
Wonder Woman Game Announced By DC and WB Games

Wonder Woman game will feature the iconic hero in a 3rd...

MultiVersus
MultiVersus brings Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny, and More

MultiVersus is bringing Shaggy, Harley Quinn, Jake, Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny,...

Comic Creator Interviews Comic/Graphic Novel News Comic/Graphic Novel Reviews Manga News Manga Reviews Novel/Novella Author Interviews Novel/Novella News Novel/Novella Reviews
Gary Morgenstein Talks ‘A Dugout to Peace’ the Final Installment of his Trilogy

Gary Morgenstein Talks About ‘A Dugout to Peace‘ the final installment...

Chris Clews Is ‘Raised on the 80s’ and Shares Those Life Lessons

Chris Clews was ‘Raised on the 80s‘ and Shares Those Life...

Roye Okupe Brings Authentic African Representation to HBO Max and Cartoon Network

Nigerian-American, Roye Okupe brings authentic African representation to HBO Max and...

Apparel/Personal Maintenance News Apparel/Personal Maintenance Reviews Entertainment Product News Entertainment Product Reviews Food/Beverage Reviews Hardware News Hardware Reviews Mystery Box News Mystery Box Reviews
Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand Demo

The new ‘Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand‘ is ready to ship...

Chef Jen Peters and Matthew Clayton Bring us the ‘Good Flour’

Canadian Super Chef Jen Peters and Matthew Clayton Bring us the...

Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

The Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide is now available to help...

Gaming Uncensored Toon-In-Talk
Episode 38: Hamid Rahmanian

Join Whitney Grace as she speaks with artist Hamid Rahmanian, who...

No Preview
Toon-In Talk Episode 37: Niki Smith

Whitney Grace interviews graphic novel writer and artist Niki Smith about...

Toon-In Talk Episode 36: Rob Paulsen

Rob Paulsen takes some time from his busy voice acting schedule...