Review of The Legend of Tarzan (2016) by Dean B — 11 Nov 2016

I honestly don't even know where to start off this review. Not that I am at a loss for words over its content or anything of the sort, but I usually try to do something clever to start off a review.

Yea, you read that right, clever. I know, it probably doesn't usually work when I do it, but I'd like to think that I try, at the very least. But, if I'm being completely honest, I actually really enjoyed this movie.

I wouldn't go higher than just 3 stars for this, but I thought it was fun little blockbuster flick. It might not be your typical blockbuster film with the massive action scenes, it feels more like an old-school action-adventure film.

The look just screams that at you. And, you know what, this is actually somewhat refreshing when compared to everything you see. Robots, spaceships, fast cars, explosions, etc. etc. Now this movie certainly has some explosions, but not that many.

It's also refreshing to see a new 'franchise' come into play on the big screen. It's not *really* a new franchise, since Tarzan has been around for longer than about 99% of the current world's population has actually been alive.

So saying that this is a new franchise is misleading. What is new, however, is the approach to how they tell its story. As Tarzan has, at the start of the film, been out of the Congo for close to 8 years.

He's drawn back as part of this deal where George Washington Williams, Samuel L. Jackson, has been sent to investigate whether King Leopold's intentions are as magnanimous as they seem or if he has used slaved to help build what he wants.

Of course, once Tarzan returns home, his wife, Jane, is kidnapped and held hostage by Leon Rom, played by Christoph Waltz. Leon wants Tarzan to come after him so he can hand him to this tribe who wants to kill him.

Leon does this so he can gain access to the tribe's land's diamonds. The story, as you can see, is fairly basic, but it's a fun movie. Tarzan saves his wife, the tribes, the animals from the oppression of Leon and King Leopold.

Nothing really special about this story, as you can see, but I felt the movie had a good tone. It moved at a fast enough pace, so no seen really overstays its welcome. The cast is also quite good as well.

Samuel Jackson looked like he was having fun here, so his performance was inspired. Christoph Waltz is always great, so he made for a good villain here. Alexander Skarsgard is talented and he makes for an ideal Tarzan.

And Margot Robbie. What can we say about her? Gorgeous and talented. I like how she played the character where she's not your typical damsel-in-distress who can't do anything for herself. So that was good.

Really, this all adds up to a fun movie. I'm not gonna say it's a masterpiece that you should go out of your way to see, but there's far worse summer blockbusters out there that I could have wasted my time on.

I'm thankful that I didn't feel like I wasted my time with this. It's nothing more than just a rental, but it's an enjoyable one for sure.