Tarzan (also known as Tarzan 3D) is a 2013 English-language German computer-animatedaction-adventure film written, directed and produced by Reinhard Klooss and released on October 17, 2013, in Russia. The film was released across early 2014 in other countries. The film stars the voices of Kellan Lutz, Spencer Locke, Anton Zetterholm, Mark Deklin, Joe Cappelletti, and Jaime Ray Newman. The screenplay was written by Reinhard Klooss, Jessica Postigo[1] and Yoni Brenner.[2] The film is based on the novel Tarzan of the Apes (1912) by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The film grossed $44 million worldwide despite receiving predominantly negative reviews from critics. Tarzan was released in Germany by one of its production companies, Constantin Film. International sales were handled by Summit Entertainment.
Plot
In prehistoric times, an asteroid crashes into Earth and kills all the dinosaurs. In the present day, industrialist John Greystoke funds an expedition to Uganda to locate the meteor and harness its energy. Aided by scientist James Porter, the expedition is a failure and John decides to leave with his wife and their son John Jr.
While flying over a semi-active volcano, the Greystokes' helicopter's instruments go haywire. Forced to land on the meteor, John explores a cave and discovers glowing rock formations. Using his pickaxe, John collects a sample, only to cause a chain reaction that awakens the volcano. While trying to escape, their helicopter crashes, with only John Jr. surviving. The boy is discovered by the Mountain gorilla Kala, who recently lost her child. Adopted into the troop, John chooses to be called "Tarzan", a name he made up meaning "Ape with no fur."
Tarzan grows up learning the ways of the animals. After the Greystokes' disappearance, Dr. James Porter funds his expeditions by acting as a jungle guide for wealthy tourists. During a routine safari, a client wanders away from the group, attracting the attention of a cassowary. Dr. Porter's daughter Jane saves him by putting herself in danger, as she is bitten by a viper. Infatuated with the girl, Tarzan carries Jane to a shelter and cures her. The next day, she returns to her father's camp with only vague memories of the night before.
Confused by exposure to humans after so long, Tarzan decides to leave his gorilla family. He wanders to the site of the helicopter crash, finds the meteor stone his father took, and builds a shelter. Years later, Tublat, the apes' abusive leader, noses around Tarzan's shelter and accidentally activates the helicopter's emergency beacon. The transmission is received by Greystoke Energies. William Clayton, its current CEO, knowing what John senior was looking for, sees a chance to make money. He promises Jane, who now works for a conservation group, to fund her organization if she accompanies him to Africa to speak with her father.
In Africa, Jane is disgusted by Clayton's greed. She leaves the party, wanders into the jungle and finds Tarzan, now a man. Astounded, he brings her to his refuge. As a mark of love, Tarzan chips off a piece of the meteor rock and gives it to her. The rest of the group tracks Jane down there, where Clayton is shocked to find the Greystoke heir alive. Seeing him as a threat to his power, Clayton starts opening fire. The couple flees and is forced to enter a valley affected by the meteor, which caused unique mutations in the local flora and fauna, turning them into monsters. Surviving many dangers, the couple reaches the meteor, where Tarzan recognizes his father's long-abandoned pickaxe. Jane realizes Tarzan's true identity as John's son.
Tarzan returns to his ape tribe, where he introduces Jane to Kala and challenges Tublat for the right to lead. In the ensuing fight, Tarzan defeats Tublat and exiles him from the troop. That night, Jane and Tarzan admit to their love.
Meanwhile, Clayton transforms Dr. Porter's base into an armed base filled with mercenaries. A conflict later ensues between the couple and Clayton's men. Kala runs in to protect Tarzan and Jane, getting shot in the process. Tarzan is attacked from behind and locked in a cage. Adided by his gorilla friends, he escapes, moves Kala into the jungle, and treats her wound, determined to get his revenge. Clayton moves his resources to the meteor and rigs it with explosives. Tied up there and left to die, Jane and her father are rescued by Tarzan. Dr. Porter decides to stay behind and try to stop the detonation. In the ensuing battle, Tarzan summons his animal friends with a loud cry, the meteor awakens the volcano and the mountain begins to give way. While Clayton and his crew fall to their demises, Jane and Tarzan escape.
The couple reunites with Tarzan's family and vow to protect the forest. Meanwhile, Dr. Porter climbs up the cliff where he had gotten a piece of the meteor.
Mark Deklin as John Greystoke, the father of Tarzan and former CEO of Greystoke Energies. Before his death, John was exploring the site of an ancient meteorite crash, and was on the brink of a discovery.[2]
Trevor St. John as William Clayton, the greedy and scheming CEO of Greystoke Energies who sends a mercenary army to eliminate Tarzan and Jane.[6]
Andy Wareham as Tublat, the rogue Mountain gorilla who takes over Kerchak's troop.
Jeff Burrell as Derek's Father
Jason Hildebrandt as the narrator
Joe Cappelletti as Professor James Porter, Jane's father and an old friend of Tarzan's parents.
Production
Development on the film was announced in August 2010 when Constantin acquired animation rights to the “Tarzan” novels from the estate of author Edgar Rice Burroughs.[7] The film's motion capture was shot in the Bavaria Film studio in Munich, and the animation process was done at Ambient Entertainment studios at Hannover.[8]
Release
The film was reportedly set to premiere in Germany on October 17, 2013.[9] although its release date was revised and set for February 20, 2014 after its release in several other countries.
On 24 April 2014, the Irish premiere of the film was in aid of conservation charity Ape Action Africa, supported by the lead, Kellan Lutz, who is himself interested in conservation.[10]
Home media
Tarzan was released on DVD and Blu-ray on August 5, 2014, by Lionsgate.
Reception
Critical response
Tarzan was not screened in advance for critics, and received predominantly negative reviews, who panned the film's story and animation. As of June 2020[update], the film holds a 20% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on 30 reviews with an average rating 4.54 out of 10.[11] Peter Debruge of Variety called "an eyesore for anyone above the age of 10 — literally, for those opting to see it in badly miscalibrated 3D".[12] Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter said, "All of this feels awfully simplistic, like a 10-minute cartoon sketch bloated into a full-length movie, and one that's backed by an over-explanatory voiceover that can sometimes sound awkward."[13] Reagan Gavin Rasquinha of The Times of India rated it 2 out of 5 stars, calling it "a slipshod rendering of a classic."[14] Angie Errigo of Empire rated it 2 out of 5, saying, "Ponderously plotted and unwonderfully animated, this will disappoint audiences spoilt by Pixar-grade animations."[15] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian said, "Here's a muddled and dull new family film about Tarzan, who in keeping with tradition is as clean-shaven and all-over hairless as any male stripper."[16] Neil Smith of Total Film said, "Phil Collins songs aside, the last animated Tarzan marked the final flourish of the Disney Renaissance and coined a whopping $448M worldwide. This computer-generated mo-cap version can’t help to compete, even without a club-footed updating that turns Edgar Rice Burrough’s loinclothed apeman into a tree-hugger defending his jungle against capitalists." and added "Having trashed one icon in The Legend Of Hercules, Kellan Lutz shafts another with vocals admittedly well-suited to the muscle-bound mannequin. What really sabotages Reinhard Klooss’ film, though, is a subplot involving a meteorite-derived power source."[17]
Awards
Golden Trailer Awards 2014
Golden Trailer - Best Foreign Animation/Family Trailer - Constantin Film Produktion The Refinery For the second trailer - theatrical trailer. - Nominated
International Film Music Critics Award (IFMCA) 2014
IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for an Animated Feature Film - David Newman - Nominated
^Jordan Mintzer (27 January 2014). "Tarzan: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
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