Tarzan First Impressions

[disneyboy20022]

I remember that I asked a Disney Store employee at some mall in Saint Louis....because usually I tried to find out what Disney's Slot for the Animated Movie of the Summer was....because ever summer it was a new DAC....and the Disney Store employee told me Tarzan...and I am like...Tarzan??? Hasn't it been done before??? I mean....I remember my mom talking about Tarzan (the character not the DAC) and thought to myself...Disney Must be running out of ideas.....but I do like the film...

[milojthatch]

Which brings me to the real reason why I made this thread, to ask an important question. Terk is voiced by Rosie O' Donnell, a woman. But Terk was always kind of boyish, even in look (the short "butch" hair). But I swear I've seen/heard some incarnations where he was played or voiced by a male, like previews for Disney On Ice I think, and he was played by a young man, Chester Gregory II, in the Broadway musical. So my question is: Is Terk a boy or a girl?

In the original novel, Terk is a boy and a rival of Tarzan's who he ultimately kills. But of course, the Disney version is never the same as the original. For the Disney version, Terk is a girl, most defiantly.

I always loved Tarzan, it's one of my favorite Disney films. Yes, it was VERY ground breaking, the story was fantastic, the characters were rich and deep and I loved the Phil Collins music. "You'll Be in My Heart" is my favorite song, period. The part at the end where Kerchak is about to die and he finally accepts Tarzan as his son just leaves me in tears every time.

In animation history terms, it is often thought of as the end of the third "Golden Age of Disney Animation," the start of which was The Little Mermaid. It's list of awards are as followed:

* 1999 Annie Award in the Technical Achievement in the Field of Animation category (for the Deep Canvas process).
* 2000 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for the song "You'll Be in My Heart" by Phil Collins.
* 2000 Academy Award for Best Song for the song "You'll Be In My Heart" by Phil Collins.
* 2000 Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.

Being as this summer is the Tenth Anniversary of this fine film, hats off to Disney Duster for starting a new thread for this film. Let's all celebrate 10 years of vine swinging Disney action with a new viewing of this Disney Masterpiece!

[SimbaLovesNala]

Tarzan is good, but not perfect. Actually, one reason that film is not one of faves is because i find all the characters ugly(not Jane, although is looks like a mouse).
And Terk is a girl, but she is looks like a boy, i couldn't understand too what she really was when i was younger.

[BelleGirl]

The story of Tarzan isn't really original, and I can think of a few weaknesses: for instance professor Porter is one of the most annoying characters I've ever seen in a Disney movie; Clayton isn't the most memorable villain either. The 'trashing the camp" scene, though funny in it's own right, it is a quite unnecesary filler that really stops the story in its track instead of moving it forward. Also, the ending seems rushed: especially the reconsiliation between Tarzan and Kerchak in the last moment, when Kerchak is dying.
Things I really like about Tarzan:
The animation is amazingly good, I especially like the way the gorilla's - certainly Kerchak- are drawn. ( Just watch Gorilla's in the mist for comparison). The relationship between Tarzan and Kala is warm and tender - it touches the heart- at least mine . I really like Jane, she is funny and endearing and I like the scene with Tarzan and her 'getting to kown eachother' up in a tree. The music really fits the movie and I like most of the songs (but then again I like Phil Collins in general).
Some posters complain about Tarzan being ugly: well, he does have a rather long nose and chin (I thought Glen Keane drew him that way deliberately, because he regarded these features as aristocratic), but he also has an amazing body and beautiful eyes! (Am I the only one who loves those dreadlocks?) At least he stands out a bit among those generic Disney princes and heroes who all look alike! Jane is not a classic beauty either but she is really cute!

[blackcauldron85]

Some posters complain about Tarzan being ugly: well, he does have a rather long nose and chin (I thought Glen Keane drew him that way deliberately, because he regarded these features as aristocratic), but he also has an amazing body and beautiful eyes! (Am I the only one who loves those dreadlocks?) At least he stands out a bit among those generic Disney princes and heroes who all look alike! Jane is not a classic beauty either but she is really cute!

I agree with everything you wrote! I mean, if I were out in the jungle and a guy like Tarzan saved me from baboons, I would be thrilled!

[Disney's Divinity]

I appreciate his voice actor even more--Tony Goldwyn!

[The_Iceflash]

So who wasn't shocked at the beginning of Tarzan the first time you saw it?

[IagoZazu]

I don't remember being shocked at it when I was a kid at the theater. We didn't see Sabor the leopard kill Tarzan's parents. All you can see is some torn rags, a gun, and maybe blood stains that showed that there was a big fight.

I love Tarzan. It's definitely in my top ten. I love the look, the music, and the story. The look of the lush jungles, greenery, and water was cool. The music is my most favorite part, because I like the music of Phil Collins and "You'll Be In My Heart" is a touching song that's among my favorites.

There were also a lot of awesome scenes as well. Among my favorites are Tarzan fighting Sabor, Tarzan about to leave the jungle with Jane, the fight with Clayton and his cronies, and Clayton defeating himself. Tarzan tried to warn him that the vines were tightening around his neck, but Clayton was too crazed to notice and he suddenly falls to the ground until he gets hanged. Probably one of the most gruesome Disney Villain defeats.

[Margos]

Well, IagoZazu... you actually do see the legs of the corpses of Tarzan's parents sticking out from behind something. It's pretty surprising, in my opinion, but it really does add the the horror of the scene with the innocent, unknowing baby crying. It makes me wonder what must have been going through Kala's mind.

But yes, I loved how Clayton's death (and I agree, it is pretty gruesome, although the Horned King's demise was harder to watch, IMO) was almost the "classic villain death" (aka Falling) with a twist! He did fall, just not all the way.... *shudders*

[pap64]

I think Tarzan is a very underrated Disney film. The animation is, simply put, stunning to behold. The animation on Tarzan and the gorillas is expressive, real and faithful to the animals. The music, which seems to get the most bashing out of fans, is really good. "You'll be in my heart" is easily my second favorite Disney song and one of my favorite Disney themes.

Like its been said already, its also pretty risky and daring in its portrayal of death, violence, anger and betrayal, making it a very different kind of film.

So yeah, I find it sad that this film doesn't get enough credit in the Disney canon. Its a great action film with a legendary character and has some of the best Disney animation to date.

[milojthatch]

The original novel is VERY violent. I could see some hot shot modern director pushing that angle for sure with these modern views on violence and "grittiness" we see in films.

So, that said, Disney did a heck of a job making that a "G" rated film and yet capturing at moments the "grittiness" found in the original novel. This showing it can be done I might add!

Anyway, yes, "Tarzan" is an amazing film! Disney was on top of there game with that one for sure!

[PatrickvD]

I always found Clayton's death to be quite disturbing. Normally the villain just falls to his death and we don't see it happening. But I like it. And besides, he had it coming.

[The_Iceflash]

@IagoZazu and Margos: Not only does the scene showing the aftermath of Tarzan's parents' death shock me, but the death of Kala's son shocks me as well. You hear her son crying and screaming in the distance while showing the horror and sadness on Kala and Kerchak's faces at the same time.

@PatrickvD: I found Clayton's death to be disturbing as well.

[Margos]

@IagoZazu and Margos: Not only does the scene showing the aftermath of Tarzan's death shock me, but the death of Kala's son shocks me as well. You hear her son crying and screaming in the distance while showing the horror and sadness on Kala and Kerchak's faces at the same time.

That's true! I'd almost forgotten about that for some reason... But yeah, in a way, that's even more disturbing. We don't even really hear what happened to Tarzan's parents. But Kala's son's death happened right off-camera, pretty much!

[IagoZazu]

Well, IagoZazu... you actually do see the legs of the corpses of Tarzan's parents sticking out from behind something. It's pretty surprising, in my opinion, but it really does add the the horror of the scene with the innocent, unknowing baby crying. It makes me wonder what must have been going through Kala's mind.

But yes, I loved how Clayton's death (and I agree, it is pretty gruesome, although the Horned King's demise was harder to watch, IMO) was almost the "classic villain death" (aka Falling) with a twist! He did fall, just not all the way.... *shudders*

I haven't seen Tarzan in a long time, so I only have a faint memory of what it looked like. I think Kala was shocked when she saw it, and she must of felt bad for baby Tarzan after her own son was ate by Sabor.

As far as Clayton's death, you do know that you can see the shadow of him hanging for a spilt second after it happens right? Disney normally doesn't show the dead bodies of the villains. They give most villains a typical fall to their death, usually into a black abyss or valley where you can't see their dead body. But sometimes a few villains get a more intense end like Clayton. You mentioned The Horned King, and that was a pretty intense defeat. He got drawn in by the black cauldron, his gray skin (was he undead?) became ripped off, he was screaming, blinding lights flash up, the rest of his skeletal body was revealed, and then he exploded into dust. That was pretty violent, but I also think it would suck to get stabbed by a ship's mast and then get electrocuted, get mauled by your own henchmen and burn in a fire, or fall off a cliff and get crushed by a boulder. They usually don't want kids to see the villain's nasty corpse. What kid would want to see The Queen sticking out from underneath a boulder with vultures about to eat her flesh?

[The_Iceflash]

@IagoZazu and Margos: Not only does the scene showing the aftermath of Tarzan's parents' death shock me, but the death of Kala's son shocks me as well. You hear her son crying and screaming in the distance while showing the horror and sadness on Kala and Kerchak's faces at the same time.

That's true! I'd almost forgotten about that for some reason... But yeah, in a way, that's even more disturbing. We don't even really hear what happened to Tarzan's parents. But Kala's son's death happened right off-camera, pretty much!

I agree.

[Goliath]

Am I the only one who has problems with the animation from time to time? I think the animation of the jungle is very uneven. At times it's great (like during the song "Strangers like me"), but at other times, it's like watching a computer game; or seeing a jungle made out of plastic. I also didn't like the fact that they animated all backgrounds with CGI. Even the water was done in CGI, which didn't blend well with the traditional animation of the characters. Hand-drawn water would've been more realistic than the computer crap.

Other than that, good film. I especially like Jane. I don't know what it is about her, but I think the most persuasive, convincing Disney leading lady. She has something in her eyes and her way of expressing herself that make her so sincere, so real. More so than any other Disney female character.

The music is excellent, although it will be hard for you to sit through the film if you hate Phil Collins.

[Margos]

I haven't seen Tarzan in a long time, so I only have a faint memory of what it looked like. I think Kala was shocked when she saw it, and she must of felt bad for baby Tarzan after her own son was ate by Sabor.

As far as Clayton's death, you do know that you can see the shadow of him hanging for a spilt second after it happens right? Disney normally doesn't show the dead bodies of the villains. They give most villains a typical fall to their death, usually into a black abyss or valley where you can't see their dead body. But sometimes a few villains get a more intense end like Clayton. You mentioned The Horned King, and that was a pretty intense defeat. He got drawn in by the black cauldron, his gray skin (was he undead?) became ripped off, he was screaming, blinding lights flash up, the rest of his skeletal body was revealed, and then he exploded into dust. That was pretty violent, but I also think it would suck to get stabbed by a ship's mast and then get electrocuted, get mauled by your own henchmen and burn in a fire, or fall off a cliff and get crushed by a boulder. They usually don't want kids to see the villain's nasty corpse. What kid would want to see The Queen sticking out from underneath a boulder with vultures about to eat her flesh?

I'm aware that you see the shadow, which gives me chills. The Horned King's death actually gave me nightmares when I was young, the only Disney moment to do so. I mean, he was basically torn apart on camera. It was really, really hard to watch for an easily-creeped-out 7-year-old girl.



And as for what you were saying about the CG, Goliath, I sort of liked the use of deep canvas. I thought it looked very good, personally, and really allowed for some very dynamic camera movements which probably would have been extremely time-consuming and difficult to pull off if they were hand-drawn. It wasn't perfect, but it was certainly convincing.

[Sotiris]

10 Things You Didn't Know About Tarzan
https://ohmy.disney.com/movies/2016/04/ ... ut-tarzan/

Did You Know? Seven Swinging Facts About Disney’s Tarzan
https://d23.com/seven-swinging-facts-disneys-tarzan/

How to Draw Tarzan with Disney Legend Glen Keane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6zvJyD2dzI

[DisneyFan09]

The film is good and the songs are descent. What i have never liked about the movie though, is the character design of the two human leads, Tarzan and Jane. I find them ugly, especially when compared to all the hot dudes and dudettes of previous Disney films.

Well said. Both their designs are bland and underwhelming.

Otherwise, since we're talking about first impressions, I remember liking Tarzan quite well when I saw it first, despite not going completely gaga for it, but at least I was more pleased by it than my first viewings of Hercules and Mulan. The visuals are splendid and the songs by Phil Collins are mostly great. The Deep Canvas is also splendid and most of the action sequences works well.
However, later viewings have made it's faults more visible, despite of the great strengths it possesses. I've always been torn when it comes to the comedy, cause some of it works (moments of Kala and baby Tarzan's first interaction), while the rest of it is blatant and juvenile (as the elephant hair mission and Tarzan's saving of Jane). I could actually tolerate Terk, but Tantor was highly annoying. Mark Mancina's score is also a mixed bag for the same reasons as the comedy. Otherwise, regardless of being more solid than some of it's predecessors (Pocahontas and Hunchback), Tarzan still comes across as quite dramatically uneven at times. And frankly, despite of it's violence, the movie comes across as too sanitized as times (personally I was disappointed that the killing of Tarzan's parents was never shown, despite that I know about the story purposes for that reasons. And it would be possible to have Africans in the movie and having them appear after Jane's arrival).

I'm also one of those who's underwhelmed by the third act, where it follows the typical Disney route of having an external villain being the conflict. The man vs. nature conflict feels to shoehorned in when Tarzan's identity conflict is the main issue of the movie. It's not as Clayton is completely underwhelming, but his characterization isn't as strong to measure up to the great villains. Otherwise, I dislike Tarzan's attitude towards his mother through the movie, where he rarely truly acknowledged her and just seemed to take her for granted.