Tarzan (1999)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Directors:

Chris Buck
Kevin Lima

Writers:

Edgar Rice Burroughs (story)
Tab Murphy (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

18 June 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Drama | Family

Tagline:

An immortal legend. As you've only imagined.

Plot:

A man raised by gorillas must decide where he really belongs when he discovers he is a human.

Plot Keywords:

Gorilla | Lifting Person In Air | Storm | Animal Capture | Lightning

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 10 wins & 22 nominations

Cast

Tony Goldwyn	...	Tarzan (voice)
Minnie Driver	...	Jane Porter (voice)
Glenn Close	...	Kala (voice)
Brian Blessed	...	Mr. Clayton, the Gorilla Hunter (voice)
Nigel Hawthorne	...	Professor Archimedes Q. Porter (voice)
Lance Henriksen	...	Kerchak, the Gorilla King (voice)
Wayne Knight	...	Adult Tantor (voice)
Alex D. Linz	...	Young Tarzan (voice)
Rosie O'Donnell	...	Young Terk / Adult Terk (voice)
Taylor Dempsey	...	Young Tantor (voice)
Jason Marsden	...	Additional Voices (voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Beth Anderson	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Jack Angel	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Joseph Ashton	...	Ape Boy (voice)
Bob Bergen	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Rodger Bumpass	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Kathryn Cressida	...	Additional Voice (voice)
Jim Cummings	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Aria Noelle Curzon	...	Baby Apes (Additional Voices) (voice)
Debi Derryberry	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Paul Eiding	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Blake McIver Ewing	...	Additional Voices (voice) (as Blake Ewing)
Michael Geiger	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Scott Martin Gershin	...	Kerchak Gorilla (voice)
Amy Gleason	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Jonnie Hall	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Linda Harmon	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Jennifer L. Hughes	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Adam Karpel	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Ricky Lucchese	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Sherry Lynn	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Melissa MacKay	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Michael Perl	...	Mungo (voice)
Phil Proctor	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Jessica Rotter	...	Additional Voice
Frank Simms	...	Ensemble Vocals (voice)
Erik von Detten	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Joe Whyte	...	Additional Voices (voice)

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:G (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Quebec) | Italy:T | Argentina:Atp | Canada:F (Ontario) | Canada:PG (Nova Scotia) | Chile:TE | Finland:K-8/5 | France:U | Germany:o.Al. (cut) | Hong Kong:I | Mexico:A | Netherlands:AL | New Zealand:PG | Norway:7 | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:G | South Korea:All | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:U | USA:G | Greece:K | Australia:PG | Philippines:G | Brazil:Livre

Company:

Walt Disney Pictures

Trivia:

Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen were both seriously considered for Clayton before Brian Blessed auditioned for it, the directors felt his deep booming voice would be perfect for he character.

Goofs:

Continuity: Kala's cheek is clawed during her rescue of the infant Tarzan from the local cougar, but the claw marks are gone when she reunites with the other apes.

Quotes:

Professor Porter: Oh, Janie Jane! What an amazing discovery! A man with no language, no human behavior...
Jane Porter: And no respect for personal boundaries.
Professor Porter: How do you mean?
Jane Porter: [gets extremely close to Professor Porter] He was this close to me, daddy, just staring at me.
[Goes back to blackboard and finishes drawing of Tarzan]
Jane Porter: He was confused at first, as if he had never seen another human before. His eyes were intense... and focused, and... I've never seen eyes like those before.
Professor Porter: Oh. Shall I - ahem - leave you and the blackboard alone for a moment?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Lion King 1½ (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

Trashin' The Camp

Mmmmmmm... Apey.

Animated Disney films always seem to be the same in hindsight. It's only when the directors get the inclination to try something bigger that the films achieve a legendary status. It's been ten years since this new Disney renaissance began with "The Little Mermaid", the new "Tarzan" represents exactly what is wrong and what is so very right with the Mouse House's approach to the animated features.

During these last ten years, the studio has learned what's worked, and what doesn't. Disney always plays it safe. The "Tarzan" opening is very similar to the mega-successful "The Lion King". They compress the entire backstory into a 10 minute opening, and it works like a charm. We all have to admit that Phil Collins hasn't done anything substantial in the last ten years as well, yet his songs for this new film are spot on. They narrate the film and guide the audience perfectly through this loose adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel. Having been weaned on poor character songs throughout the years, it's deliciously blasphemous to not have to sit through 5 or 6 god awful musical numbers that even the composers don't seem to like. It brings an unexpected freshness to this well-known material. With "Tarzan", Disney is taking on a character and story that has gone through countless adaptations. This animated approach seems to fit just right. By not having to rely on a physically impressive (but poorly expressive) actor, the animators have created the most believable Tarzan yet. He glides through the jungle with ease, dragging behind his the well worn knuckles of an ape-man. It's probably one of Disney's most impressive creations, even though it is one so renowned. Tony Goldwyn brings the voice of Tarzan to life with unexpected sweetness. While used sparingly, Goldwyn manages to capture the character with ease. I also enjoyed Minnie Driver's spunky voice for Jane, making her the most palatable animated heroine since Lady. Rosie O'Donnell is about as grating as you might suspect and Glenn Close is perfect as Tarzan's ape mother. It's the villain that Disney needs to work on. While watching "Tarzan" you can easily feel that the addition of the bad guy is superfluous. He's just there because the filmmakers think we can't go without it. They're dead wrong. The flick is filled with lush visuals (courtesy of the more prominent GCI work), grand music, and a strong story. We don't need forced conflict. The conflict within is what "Tarzan" is all about. The rogue brings the film down more than it should. Coming out of "Tarzan" I had feelings I haven't felt from a Disney production in some time. I was moved by the material, shockingly filled with emotion. I came out of the theater humming the music, not an easy thing in the years of "Mulan" and "Hunchback". I also came out impressed that Disney might be making baby steps to a new and brighter future of animated films. I look forward to it. ------------ 7