After directing the last four Harry Potter blockbusters, David Yates began to continue the magical saga with the Fantastic Beasts series. In between, however, the Brit slipped into his most mature film to date with “Legend Of Tarzan”. Not only Alexander Skarsgård (“Godzilla Vs. Kong”) was available as the title hero. With Margot Robbie from the long-awaited “Barbie” and Tarantino cult stars Samuel L. Jackson (“Pulp Fiction”) and Christoph Waltz (“Inglourious Basterds”), the other leading roles were also cast with top mime players.
“Legend of Tarzan“ will be shown today, July 9, 2023, at 10:40 PM on ProSieben. There will be a repeat at 2:50 that same evening. Alternatively, you can stream the movie anytime as part of your Netflix subscription or treat yourself to (4K) Blu-ray, DVD, or a paid video-on-demand of Amazon & Co.’s FSK 12 title:
“Legend Of Tarzan” on ProSieben: That’s the story
It has been ten years since Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård) left the African jungle to return to civilization. Raised among monkeys, the aristocrat now lives in England with his lover Jane (Margot Robbie) as the Earl of Greystoke. One day he was approached by the British Parliament. As a special ambassador for trade issues, he will travel to the Congo basin and manage the country’s mining activities there.
When, after much hesitation, he accepts, Little does Tarzan know that he is only meant to be a pawn in a deadly plot of revenge and greed. High-ranking Belgian soldier Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz) is the mastermind behind the operation, which must trap Tarzan and bring him power and untold wealth. But Rome and his local henchmen around Chief Mbonga (Djimon Hounsou) have no idea what they’ve got themselves into…
The many shades of the jungle hero
To date, more than 100 feature films with and about the jungle hero have been made by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs. The spectrum ranges from the silent film “Tarzan and the Apes” (1918) to the twelve (!) cult black and white adventures with Olympic champion Johnny Weissmuller to the gloomy “Greystoke” with Christopher Lambert. There’s also Andy Warhol’s satirical-experimental “Tarzan And Jane Regained…Sort Of” and the Disney animated hit “Tarzan” featuring Phil Collins songs.
Obviously, as this small list suggests, the template offers many possibilities for different interpretations. “Legend Of Tarzan” also offers a distinctive approach. Despite some flaws in the story, screenwriters Adam Cozad (“Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit”) and Craig Brewer (“Hustle & Flow”) found a thoroughly creative way to tie the fictional story to real historical events and personalities. Plus, she and director Yates managed to transfer the veteran warhorse into the cinematic present.
As our solid three-star MOVIE STARTS review attests, here he is a myth-ridden, internally torn, but nonetheless gripping superhero. Embodying Tarzan with soft, emphatic nobility, Skarsgård is just as central to this visually stunning and entertaining African adventure as the often convincing computer effects.
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