Tarzan (animated) MPAA Rating: G Entertainment: +3 Content: +3

Edgar Rice Burroughs classic story of an English boy raised by apes to become lord of the jungle, TARZAN, once again comes to the big screen. Disneys rich animation helps bring the lush jungles and animals to life along with an all star cast of voices. As an infant, Tarzans parents save him from a burning ship off the coast of Africa. But tragedy strikes when Tarzans parents are killed by a tiger. The human baby is saved by Kala (Glenn Close), a gorilla mother. At first rejected by the young gorillas because he is different, Tarzan (Tony Goldwyn) soon grows into the strongest and smartest of the group. This slightly updated Tarzan not only swings on vines, but slides along them like a surf rider or rollerblader. With his best friends Terk (Rosie ODonnell) and Tantor the elephant (Wayne Knight), Tarzans life in the jungle couldnt be better. But his life changes when a professor and his daughter Jane (Minnie Driver) enter the jungle to study gorillas. Tarzan must then decide whether to stay with his jungle family or return to England. This outstanding retelling of TARZAN is full of non-stop action and excitement, along with lots of humor and lively musical numbers. However, some of the intense scenes will be frightening for younger viewers.

Tarzans story explores the classic case of an orphan adapting to new parents, family and social environment. On another level, the story highlights the struggle between different views of treating animals, with many violent conflicts. In one scene, Kala has Tarzan listen to her heartbeat, apparently implying that they are similar, but also implying her love for him as a mother. In other scenes though, its clear that the gorillas consider Tarzan very different from them. Tarzan eventually recognizes this himself. The theme of acceptance, the concept of family, and the differing attitudes toward animals in TARZAN provide an excellent opportunity for family discussions concerning the difference between man and animals. This G-rated film does contain three moderate crudities but is refreshingly free of sexual content or nudity.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking & John Evans
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures, 3900 W. Alameda Ave., Burbank CA 91521