2016
Directed by David Yates
When I first saw a trailer for this movie, I was extremely hesitant. “The world does not need this movie,” I said to myself. After having seen it, I maintain my position. The best thing I can say about this movie is that it was adequate. Nothing special.
The movie opens explaining how Africa was colonized by other countries and exploited and shows an expedition into the African Congo, led by Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz). They find legendary African diamonds but are viciously attacked by a tribe of natives. The leader, Chief Mbonga (Djimon Hounsou), approaches Rom with a proposition: Rom goes free with a handful of African diamonds, with promises of more to come if he returns with Tarzan.
Cut to England, where Lord Greystoke, John Clayton III, aka Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård), is bombarded by several members of Parliament who want him to return to the African Congo as a publicity stunt. He politely declines, but is eventually convinced by George Washington Williams (Samuel L. Jackson), who wants him to go in order to expose a secret slave trade he believes is happening in the deep jungle.
Obviously, Jane Clayton (Margot Robbie), tags along as well, in order to see her friends from the African tribe she grew up with. John is reticent to agree, but caves in, understanding how important it is to her. The three set off on their adventure, little knowing that Rom was lying in wait for their arrival. Dramatic movie adventure ensues.
On paper, this is a movie that has potential, and the cast is also very talented. I have no problems with any of them. However, the plot quickly descends into chaos, and hardly anything makes any real sense. The movie seems to want to leads us on an African nature tour, which gives it a disjointed feel that is not aided by the choppy action sequences that disallow any sense of continuity throughout the scenes.
When Jane refused to scream for Rom, “like a damsel”, I thought that the movie would allow her to step up and take control, having acknowledged the “damsel in distress” trope. However, she isn’t. She occasionally stirs the pot, but is ultimately unable to free herself from Rom or do anything to assist John in his quest to free her. She literally watches from the sidelines instead of helping in any way. This is very frustrating to me because I was so hopeful due to her initial portrayal in the film, but as soon as the action takes off she becomes a pretty standard action hero’s girlfriend/wife.
I was also very frustrated by the hasty character development throughout the movie, most noticeable in George Washington Williams. The presence of his character is completely unnecessary, and the “bond” between him and John that arises from their time together is forced and unnatural. The scene in the forest where Williams confesses his dark past to John comes totally out of the blue, is completely ridiculous, and adds nothing to the film.
Overall, this movie isn’t the worst thing I’ve seen. It was fun, but it could have been so much better; the characterization, the fight scenes, and the plot left so much to be desired that I cannot in good conscience recommend this movie.
elsa ruth reviews 