Tarzan
Date viewed: June 26, 1999
Location: Chelsea Cinemas, Manhattan

I have to admit that I adore animated movies. Perhaps they remind me of when my parents took me and my brother to the movies when I was a little boy. Movies for the whole family were a rarity, even back then. My mother and father wouldn't have dreamed of dropping us off at the theater and picking us up when the film was over. The whole family sat next to each other and watched the movie together. I suppose animated films are the comfort food of entertainment for me.

With that said, I may not be the most unbiased reviewer in the world. Go see Tarzan.

Disney retells the age-old story of a human child raised by apes in the jungle. He swings through the trees and relates to all the animals. His paradise is shaken when an expedition studying wildlife comes to the jungle and Tarzan learns there are other creatures in the world just like him.

The main point of the story is to teach children (or any viewer that needs to learn) it doesn't matter what someone looks like on the outside. What that person/creature has inside is what counts. Tarzan is adopted by a kindly female gorilla whose mate doesn't like Tarzan because he isn't an ape. In the end, of course, the male gorilla learns the lesson, too.

The animation is breath-taking. The jungles are lush and have depth. Tarzan is amazingly human-looking and his swinging-through-trees adventures are a sight to behold. The remaining humans on the expedition are a little too cartoon-ish in appearance and characteristics, but they all serve a purpose. There are also a few scary parts, but most violence takes place off-screen.

Rosie O'Donnell provides the voice for one of Tarzan's ape friends. Although she's entertaining, her voice is too recognizable and you envision the talk show host each time the cuddly creature makes an appearance.

Listen to me: Go see it immediately. It's a classic, a true Disney classic. Dad, can we get some popcorn?

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