Tarzan

Every year my Family would take me to see the newest Disney movie, they were all wonderful and incredible to me as a child. The first Disney movie I can ever remember seeing was The Rescuers in 1977. Then releases and re-releases of Dumbo, Sleeping Beauty, Bambi, The Fox and The Hound, The Aristocats, Jungle Book, Lady And The Tramp...well, I believe we all have our favorites and individual, special memories of Disney Movies that we all went to see at the theatre while growing up. Disney movies are special to me, all that is except Old Yellar, which I probably still should seek therapy from watching.

The tradition has passed on to my children and other children everywhere. We are always anxious and excited to see what the new Disney movie will be for this year! Over the years, we have rushed to see Aladin, Lion King, Mulan, Toy Story, just to name a few and are usually just as excited to see the previews as we are the actual release! Note: I said "usually" in the above sentence.

We were at the theatre to see Disney's "Mulan" when I first saw the preview for Tarzan. I was not excited at all, none of the family has ever been interested in the Tarzan story, and it did not appeal to me in the least. When 1999 rolled around, I didn't rush my children (or myself) off to see it, we waited a week or two, then after awhile the kids could beg no longer. We went to a matinee to see the movie.

Most of us all know the basic story of Tarzan, originally, I could not even imagine how Disney might be able to make this story appealing enough for yet another movie on the Ape-man, and what was the deal with that skimpy loincloth? Apparently, I have no imagination.

Yes, the story of Tarzan remains the same, but never told in such a vivid, loving, excited manner. Disney remains untouchable when it comes to the colors and artistry of the film. The animation is wonderful and the scenes are so realistic, as usual.

What impressed and touched me the most was the acting in this film. I have never heard such emotion, happiness, tenderness, tears... reality, in any animated film before Tarzan. The emotion in the voices matched the character's faces and actions exactly. It has never struck me as it did with Tarzan. I was laughing out loud, crying and completely intrigued at every moment of this movie!

The music is just as amazing and essential in delivering the entire story! From wild to fun to heart breaking. Beautiful songs such as, "You'll Be In My Heart", to fun and scatty like, "Trashin' The Camp"- on top of everything else, you'll be tapping your toe through it all!

All of my children from our youngest to the oldest, and even my husband was completely enthralled by this movie. It appeals to boys and girls alike. Tarzan is cute and funny as a kid, cool as man. Jane is pretty, smart, polite and humorous. I didn't feel as if it was targeted to a specific audience at all.

Even more than the wonderful blend of characters, comedy, tragedy and emotion was the message that the film depicts. I had never thought of the story Tarzan to deliver a message- yet it certainly does.

It shares that despite different cultures, different outward appearances, despite someone's past, despite birthlines, there should be acceptance, love and loyalty between family and friends. What makes a family isn't the fact that you were born into it. What makes a true family is the love that is given from the soul.

The only aspect of this movie that concerned me was a slightly shocking beginning. To begin the tale of Tarzan, the movie opens with Tarzan's birth parents escaping a shipwreck and setting up a home to survive. It cuts to a Gorilla couple playing with their baby. The baby wanders off, is chased, screaming by a Jaguar and killed. The baby being killed is not shown, the cat chases the baby into the bushes, you see the baby's parents finding their child. This same gorilla parent is who finds the baby Tarzan. When she enters Tarzan's home, she finds the bodies of Tarzan's parents. This surprised me- while it was not gruesome (they show bloody pawprints around the human bodies), I don't believe I have ever seen an infant killed and actual animated, murdered bodies on a Disney film before. It was done in good taste, the scenes were only seconds long and was essential to the story being told, but it did and does bother my younger children to an extent.

Tarzan is my favorite movie of all the movies I have seen in over thirty years. It has great comedy, adventure, action, and a fantastic message. Don't hesitate to go rent it before buying it! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!! :)