After viewing Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote to Walt Disney about adapting his novel of an ape-man into a feature animated cartoon. Sixtysome years later, the tale is finally told with brillia... more »nt design work that looks unlike any previous animated film. The story is a natural for Disney since the themes of misunderstood central figures have been at the heart of its recent hits. Disney's Tarzan doesn't wander far from the familiar story of a shipwrecked baby who is brought up by apes in Africa. What gives the film its zing is its clever use of music (the songs are sung by Phil Collins himself rather than onscreen characters) and the remarkable animation. Deep Canvas, a 3-D technology, was developed for the film, creating a jungle that comes alive as Tarzan swings through the trees, often looking like a modern skateboarder racing down giant tree limbs. The usual foray of sidekicks, including a rambunctious ape voiced by Rosie O'Donnell, should keep the little ones aptly entertained. The two lead voices, Tony Goldwyn as Tarzan and Minnie Driver as Jane, are inspired choices. Their chemistry helps the story through the weakest points (the last third) and makes Tarzan's initial connection with all things human (including Jane) delicious entertainment. Disney still is not taking risks in its animated films, but as cookie-cutter entertainment, Tarzan makes a pretty good treat. (Ages 5 and up) --Doug Thomas« less
"After publicizing this release as a 2 disc set, disney finally changed its mind and released it as a barebones single disc. Those who were waiting to get all those great behind the scenes stuff available previously on "tarzan 2 disc collector's edition" will be thoroughly disappointed with this release.
However, those who missed out on previous 2 disc collector's edition and want to own tarzan on a two disc set, still have the option of buying it from amazon.co.uk, where it has been released as a 2-disc special edition with all those behind the scenes stuff from previous collector's edition. Just make sure you have a multi-region dvd player which plays discs from all regions.
Do not buy this unless you just want to own the film. Better still search for the old collector's edition. It will be worth all the money spent."
Good movie - Bad DVD - Buy the tape
Tony Pisculli | Kailua, HI USA | 02/24/2000
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Regardless of what you may think of the movie (I enjoyed it), this DVD does not belong in anyone's collection. Disney has greatly abused the ability to lock-out control of the DVD player during the beginning of the disk, *forcing* you to sit through several previews and an ad. Shame! Ordinarily I'm a big fan of previews, and I don't even mind ads, but keep them in the bonus section where they belong! I won't buy another Disney movie on DVD while this disrespectful practice continues. I'm surprised more people didn't mention it here - I can only assume you've been watching the tape."
How to make a gem without violence!
Eduardo Middleton K. | Santiago, A.M. Chile | 11/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Technically, this movie is perfect. Great songs, beautifully designed scenarios, endearable funny characters and a strong feeling of nostalgia for movies that aim to a higher message. Regretfully, whoever is a parent these days is having a lot of trouble to explain the violence shown in cartoons to their sons. Moreover, it's hard to endorse any t.v. cartoons other than Pinky and the Brain or history related ones. Tarzan demonstrates that there is such thing such as a Family Film and that you can create visually stunning gems as this movie and, still, send a message other than gross scenes or blood and guts spilled all over. Thank you, Disney."
Great Movie - But Flawed Audio!
SALVATORE ALIOTO | USA | 02/04/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The movie is great, I like it at home as much as I did in the theater, BUT...There appears to be a glitch with the sound. The front left and rear right audio channel is SWITCHED. Disney is aware of this problem (on 1.5 million disks) and isn't doing ANYTHING about it!"