Tarzan

The 2013 movie Tarzan is an adventure-filled adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' classic tale, turned into a cutting-edge 3D animated venture by Reinhard Klooss. The film features the vocal talents of Kellan Lutz (known for his part in the Twilight saga) as the iconic character Tarzan, Spencer Locke (known for Resident Evil films) as the bold and independent Jane Porter, and Les Bubb (familiar for his comic sketches on TV) providing comic relief.

The movie intertwines the time-honored story of Tarzan with a modern twist, setting the stage in the present. The film starts with the crash landing of a helicopter on an isolated island in the jungle of Africa, effectively initiating the tale of our hero's origins.

Tarzan's parents, who are both billionaires and owners of the Greystoke Energies company, survive the crash. In a role reversal from the original tale, they are the ones who discover a previously unknown meteorite that possesses a potentially inexhaustible power source. Unfortunately, their joy is cut short, and their infant son is left alone to fend off for himself in the harsh jungle.

The story then starts to follow original beats of Tarzan's narrative, with the young orphan being raised by a group of gorillas. He learns their ways, grows up strong and agile, and becomes a lord among the denizens of the jungle. Kellan Lutz breathes life into the character of Tarzan with his performances, capturing the essence of the character's strength, agility, and inherent nobility.

Years after the mysterious disappearance of his parents, Tarzan encounters another group of humans in his jungle. William Clayton, the villainous current CEO of Greystoke Energies, played by Trevor St. John, steps into Tarzan’s world, intending to harness the power that Tarzan's parents had discovered years ago. Accompanying him is the intelligent and loving Jane Porter voiced by Spencer Locke, who comes in as an environmental activist wanting to research the tropical environment. However, her meeting with Tarzan changes the course of her life and sets the central theme of the film.

As Jane lands herself in peril, it falls upon Tarzan to do whatever he can to secure her safety and fend off the antagonistic corporate big-wig. Simultaneously, he has to protect his jungle and the hard-life he has known since he was a child. Spencer Locke's performance as Jane is passionate and ambitious, adding heart to the unique relationship between her and Tarzan.

Les Bubb shines in this film too, successfully adding comic elements to balance the movie's intensity and action sequences. Fans will enjoy the comedic streak of his character, delivering moments of levity that resonate across all age groups.

The directors have made fabulous use of motion capture technology, resulting in breathtaking visuals of the richly detailed jungle setting, depicting the wildlife and environments in lavish detail. For the lovers of animation, the film provides an entrancing scenic journey through the landscapes of an African jungle with soaring trees, vast valleys, and fast-flowing rivers.

What sets this modern rendition apart is the genre mash-up. The film straddles the worlds of a science fiction thriller and a jungle adventure narrative, providing a new spin to the classic adventure tale. This Tarzan story isn’t just about one man's jungle heroics but rather places the well-known figure in the context of our contemporary world, addressing issues of eco-conservation, corporate greed, and the importance of scientific discovery.

This 2013 version of Tarzan exploits advances in animation to bring an entirely new, detailed, and nuanced interpretation to the classic Tarzan tale. With perfectly pitched performances, engaging plot, undulating rhythm, and impressive visuals, the film offers an exciting cinematic journey to all Tarzan fans and those looking for an action-packed animated adventure.

In summary, with an attempt to revisit and reinvent the classic Tarzan legend, the movie showcases a balanced amalgamation of romance, adventure, suspense, comedy, and the primal appeal of the story we all have known and loved since childhood.