Review of The Legend of Tarzan (2016) by David F — 22 Jul 2016

I was pleasantly surprised to find myself immersed in this movie. Something needs to be said about how well directed this movie is. There is a certain poetic tone that is kept entirely in control for the duration of the film; which saves the film; and makes the film mostly a romantic film; all the adventure ostensibly about Tarzan saving Africa from colonization but really being about Tarzan and Jane.

On a different note, it has been said, too much of the film depends on Samuel L. Jackson. He sort of softens the racial tension of the theme of Africa having a white savior, which is sort of an edgy theme; he adds comic relief as he seems to always do because he is really comical but in a more serious way; it doesn't help when you consider the fact that he is supposed to soften the racial tension of the theme of Africa having a white savior; or when you consider the fact that in the past, African Americans were often used for purposes of comic relief for the entertainment of big white men smoking cigars and wearing fancy suits.

However, you could make the point that it is his character, George Washington Williams, who really saves the day. He is a hero in his own right in the movie. Never is his loyalty doubted. But, perhaps, this is because his character is too simple, two dimensional.

Be that as it may, the whole story is rather simple, which is kind of a saving grace, because certain big themes are displayed, and they really are displayed nicely.