Review of Tarzan: Collector`s Edition

Introduction

I suppose it depends on when you were born (and whether you grew up on a diet of after-tea BBC2 films), but, for me, the definitive Tarzan is Johnny Weissmuller. You can keep your Lex Barkers, your Ron Elys, your Christopher Lamberts, and your Bo Dereks (OK, Bo didn’t play Tarzan but nobody except Graham Norton can remember who did); for me, it has to be Johnny. Ah, yes. I fondly remember those 30s classics like “Tarzan and His Mate”, “Tarzan Escapes!” and “Tarzan Finds a Son”.

However, while I remember Tarzan fondly, his popularity has waned of late and there have been few attempts to revive the franchise lately. Therefore, it was a pleasant surprise when Disney decided to make an animated version in 1999. Disney animation has been on a roll recently and expectations were high. Disney certainly didn’t disappoint us. Tarzan is one of their best films to date and, happily, this Collector’s Edition DVD does it justice.

Video

Presented in 16x9 anamorphic, the picture is gorgeous. Ravishing, even. Detail is exceptional, colours are perfectly saturated, blacks are black. It really cannot be faulted.

The animation itself is fabulous. The backgrounds have tremendous detail and depth and must have taken many man-years of effort. The film pioneered the use of the Deep Canvas process (basically, electronically painting on a computer generated 3D model) and all the scenes that use it flow beautifully. The main characters are less detailed than the backgrounds but are done in a very appealing style. Tarzan himself is especially fine, having a very graceful and predatory style.

While you watch the film, your finger twitches over the pause button. You want to freeze the frame and take a better look at the gorgeous imagery. When you do, the stills are fabulous.

This is benchmark stuff.

Audio

Sound is DD 5.0. Yep, no LFE. In actual fact, that’s not an issue. The mix is so well done you won’t notice the lack of LFE.

Dialog is crisp and clear, ambient effects are extremely well done and the music is … Well, the music is Phil Collins. This may (quite rightly) turn some people off, but it’s not bad at all. It is very well reproduced and, in most cases, creates the appropriate mood. The opening, “Two Worlds”, for example, is alternately exhilarating and menacing. Which is exactly as it should be. The Mark Mancina score is up to his usual high standard. There is nothing to quibble about here.

Features

You know those DVDs that trumpet Trailers and even Scene Selection as “Extra Features”? Well they should cower in shame and fear at this DVD’s mighty roar.

Where do I start? This two-disc set has:

Animated Menus, Read-Along Feature, Trivia Game, Phil Collins Music Video, Phil Collins demo tracks, Behind-The-Scenes Footage with Phil Collins and N` Sync, Theatrical and Preview Trailers, Sneak Preview of Dinosaur, DVD-ROM Features, Audio commentary by Directors Kevin Lima and Chris Buck and Producer Bonnie Arnold, "History & Development" with early location footage, Early presentation reel and Tarzan history, "The Music Of Tarzan" with Phil Collins music videos and demos and Making-Of Feature, "Story & Editorial" with making-of feature and abandoned sequences and storyboard-to-screen comparisons and story treatments, Behind the Scenes with teh Voice Talent, "The Characters Of Tarzan" with features on character development and design and animation techniques, "Animation Production" with Concept Art, Making-Of features on the Deep Canvas CGI process and animation multi-angle demonstration, "Publicity" with still gallery of Ad materials and trailers and TV Spots and more. Phew!

All the extras are worthwhile, but to pick out some of the highlights. The commentary with the Producer and Directors is entertaining and very informative on the animation process. The insights into the use of the Deep Canvas process are fascinating. The Dinosaur trailer is entertaining and the CG puts the Jurassic Park creatures to shame. And, if you like Phil Collins, the videos and demo tracks give excellent value for money.

All in all, this is an exceptional set of extras and should be an example to others.

Conclusion

As I have indicated in the previous sections, this is an exceptional DVD. Audio and video are reference quality and the extras are truly superb.

The film itself is entertainment for all the family. Kids will love it (although there is an occasional scene that might scare a tot) and there is much for adults to enjoy. The script is witty and, although we start with lots of cute, large-eyed child shots, never too sentimental. The vocal performances by the likes of Minnie Driver, Glenn Close and Brian Blessed are fine. The one grating bit is Rosie O’Donnell as the Cheetah substitute, Terk. Maybe she’s an acquired taste.

All in all, an excellent package and highly recommended.

I was just a bit disappointed that Tarzan never got to wrestle a rubber crocodile. Johnny Weissmuller used to do it so well.