Film Decent... but far from Legendary.
Tarzan has been the source of many, many movies by now, some good and others... not so much. The latest addition to that long list is this offering by David Yates.
Interestingly, and in defiance of modern trends, it does not function as an origin story. There are occasional flashbacks to expand on key points but in general the film gives audiences credit enough to know who Tarzan is. At the beginning of the film, John Clayton has been the Earl of Greystoke for many years, his time as Tarzan long since past. He is happily married to Jane, who is perhaps slightly too modern in her independence and boldness but as played by Margot Robbie is more than a match for the alpha male John.
In fact, both leads give it their all and Alex Skarsgard makes for a compelling Tarzan/John, and sells the internal struggle between blue-blood aristocrat and primal Jungle man expressively. Samuel L. Jackson as a crusading journalist/activist also turns in a decent performance, and most of the films admittedly sparse laughs are courtesy of his character. Sadly Christoph Waltz as the Big Bad phones in yet another 'affably evil smug snake' performance he could probably have managed in his sleep, and in fact probably did.
The film also addresses one of the more problematic aspects of the character and the source novels - for all it's virtues, the original Tarzan source was absolutely rife with shades of the Mighty Whitey trope. Whilst there is no plausible way to avoid Lord Graystoke being a white man, the film does at least downplay race as a defining characteristic. The African tribesmen view him as a friend and a brother, and any physical superiority (which is neglible for the most part anyway) is entirely due to his childhood environment, not the colour of his skin. Samuel L. Jackson's character is also the one who actually kicks the plot into motion and remains an important focal point, instead of having a white man swoop in to save savage natives from other, evil white men.
No Tarzan movie would be complete without his adoptive family of apes. The film acknowledges the marching on of science and makes it clear the rather violent apes in question are 'Mangani' and not gorillas, which are rather more gentle and peaceful in reality. It's notable that the film also goes out of its way to point out that whilst Tarzan might be strong and tough by human standards, a bull ape can (and in one brutal fight scene, does) kick his ass without much hassle.
All in all, the film is solid without being spectacular. The two leads give it their absolute utmost, perhaps more than the film truly deserves in all honesty. The special effects and music are good, the plot rattles along nicely and overall the film is a pretty satisfying watch - though the weak villain is so poor as to bring the whole movie down, which is a shame.
Film A great film, but definitely far from magnificent (Spoilers)
This movie is great, in all honesty. I'm not one to nitpick flaws. I advise you to see it. It has many problems, but it is also a very solid film with a good storyline, good acting by pretty much everybody, and some good twists and turns to the story.
Unfortunately, it definitely has issues. It doesn't try to juggle multiple subplots, which is good, but also makes the film rather bland. It uses two antagonists, both of which are good characters, although Mbonga, an African chief, is definitely the better of the two. Its special effects are great, but it still has several shades of a Mighty Whitey storyline. In general, it's a great movie, but there is literally nothing to make it stand out.
It plays out somewhat like a Romance Novel. This is not a bad thing. Effectively, Tarzan and Jane are already married, and Leon Rom, the main villain, plans to enslave non-whites in Africa. However, King Leopold, the Greater Scope Villain, is deep in debt, and needs jewels, jewels that Chief Mbonga has. So, he invites Tarzan to Africa, and, with some pushing from Black Best Friend and sidekick George Washington Williams, they head off to stop him, and he kidnaps Jane. Very straightforward. However, Jane is a great character in this version, snarking into his face, and almost escaping. In fact, she ends up indirectly saving the day. It's all a very good story, although Mbonga isn't given enough focus.
Being younger than many other Tropers, I am not inclined to get a sense of nostalgia, but this pulled it off. It really felt like a Darker and Edgier Tarzan, for a more modern era. It was a great movie, but that was all it was: A great movie. There was no draw. There was nothing special. It had a generic plot, an overuse of slow motion, and some very heavy Mighty Whitey slides, although it manages to significantly downplay them. I advise you to see it, but it's probably not winning any awards.
The special effects are great, by the way. I know it feels unnecessary to mention it, but they made the film a good bit cooler, especially the climactic fight against Rom that much more awesome, even though it was already pretty good.
7/10. A great time-spending romance/action film, but not on the same level as other great films of the genres.