Tarzan By Disney Genre: Film
Reviewed by: Lynne Pike

Having just returned from seeing this movie with my 9yo twin daughters, I give it a very hearty thumbs up. This is a great film for families . . . there are so many positive lessons in this movie that I'd like to mention here. Beware, however . . . there be spoilers ahead . . . although, I promise to be very careful.

First of all, initially, Kerchak (the silverback who leads the family group) is not receptive to bringing the infant Tarzan into the family. He tells Kala, the gorilla mother, with heartfelt sadness, "He will not replace the son we lost." He adds, concerned about the danger that having the creature so unlike them in their midst, "He can stay, but that does not make him my son." He is hardened to the idea of having another son . . . anyone who has lost a child can comprehend his reluctance at the thought. Although he protects all of the gorillas, he does not show Tarzan any affection. In fact, he shows him only resentment and apparent dislike. There is, however, a very tender scene at the end where Tarzan asks Kerchak to forgive him and Kerchak replies, "No, Tarzan, I am the one who should ask forgiveness of you."

Secondly, the mother figure in this film is the strongest that I have ever seen any any Disney film to date. She is quick to accept the human infant as her own, and constantly attempts to help him understand that his differences are less important than his similarities to her and the other gorillas. It is to her that he owes his life and his heart. The most touching scene of all in this film, imo, is the one between Tarzan and Kala where she finally takes him to the place where she found him. After seeing the picture of his mother and father and himself as an infant, she tells him that now he knows the truth. He leaves the hut wearing his father's clothes and embraces Kala to say, "You will always be my mother," the words that every adoptive parent longs to hear.

You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say.
You'll be here in my heart always,
Always.
(from "You'll Be in My Heart" by Phil Collins, Tarzan)

Next, Tarzan himself is an example of goodness and strength. As he matures, he becomes a respectable character in his own right, engendering great love and esteem among humankind (at least, those that matter most) and gorillas alike. He leads us to believe that we can conquer even the greatest of obstacles that might otherwise prevent us from becoming who we are meant to be. He makes mature and responsible choices, shows tender affection, and is wise beyond any previous Disney hero. He is never brooding or unkind, he doesn't harm anyone except in protecting someone else, and his childlike curiosity and willingness to learn new things is a most refreshing change from the usual passive leading male role or the hero forced into taking action which is normal Disney fare. (Can you tell how much I loved this movie yet?)

Finally, the ending to this movie, although satisfying in many ways, has a darkness that I've not seen in any other animated Disney feature. I'll admit to twinging during the Minister's song about Esmeralda in Hunchback and in the evil conjurings in The Black Caldron . . . this is, imo, a more disturbing scene than those. Clayton, the film's villian, meets is demise in a particularly gruesome manner. You can see it coming, so if you have children that might be sensitive to such images, you may want to draw their attentions away from the screen somehow for those few seconds. Fortunately, his death is only seen in shadow, but it is nonetheless the darkest image I've yet to see in any Disney film. Be forewarned.

All in all, I highly recommend this movie because of the family values portrayed in the story that is told. The film is visually detailed and stunning, the music inspiring, and the voices well-matched to the characters (it's hard to believe that Glenn Close played both Tarzan's mother AND Cruella de Vil). My only complaints are regarding the villian's demise, which I have already stated, and Terk, annoyingly voiced by Rosie O'Donnell. (Hey, and I adore Rosie O'Donnell!)

No words describe a mother's tears
No words can heal a broken heart
A dream is gone, but where there's hope
Somewhere something is calling for you,
Two worlds, one family
(from "Two Worlds" by Phil Collins, Tarzan)

Enjoy the movie . . . it looks like another Disney classic to me! Now if I can just keep my daughters from walking around on their knuckles and making monkey sounds . . .

Lynne Pike
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