Tarzan II: A Frustrating Sequel or a Valuable Jungle Adventure?

Reviewers often find themselves asking whether a sequel to a beloved franchise is worth the time and effort. In the case of Tarzan II, released in 2005 by Disney, this question becomes particularly pertinent. While the original Tarzan made a lasting impression, its sequel often goes under the radar and sometimes evokes mixed feelings.

Plot Summary and Spoilers

Tarzan, wary of the fabled creature known as the Zugor, encounters two young gorillas, Uto and Kago, and their overprotective mother, Mama Gunda. This adds a new layer of conflict to our hero's journey as they fear and hate the idea of the Zugor. The plot twists take an unexpected turn as a crotchety old gorilla, who appears to be the feared creature, is actually just a manipulation of Tarzan's imaginary fears.

The core narrative revolves around Tarzan's struggle to accept his identity and blend into his jungle family. He also faces disappointment when he learns that his mother, Kala, fears something that he believes he should not. The movie tries to resolve the conflict through a series of misunderstandings, leading to conflicts and a climactic showdown that, in hindsight, feels anticlimactic.

Review and Critique

Reading Tarzan II feels like stepping into a high-school drama with a touch of fantasy. It's a far cry from the depth and magic of the original film. The movie attempts to delve into more human-like emotions and character development, but it does so in a way that feels forced and somewhat inconsistent.

The plot, while attempting to build on the concept of identity and belonging, feels like it lacks the fluidity and authenticity of its predecessor. The introduction of the Zugor concept, while adding a new layer of danger and conflict, ultimately serves little purpose in the overall arc of the story. The ending, despite the emotional payoff for some of the characters, fails to deliver the same sense of resolution and fulfillment as the first film.

Character Development

The character development in Tarzan II is predominantly weak. The central protagonist, Tarzan, undergoes a typical journey of self-acceptance that, while heartfelt, is not executed with the subtlety and depth of the first film. The inclusion of Gunda, the overprotective mother, adds a new layer of tension but fails to provide a rich and engaging storyline. The supporting characters, Uto and Kago, are nothing more than comic relief, providing little depth to the narrative or development for the audience.

The new characters in the franchise add a sense of novelty, but their arcs are often shallow and underdeveloped. The acting, while not terrible, lacks the intensity and nuance to make the characters truly memorable. The blend of human-like actions and gorilla mannerisms sometimes feels jarringly off-putting.

Animation Quality

The animation in Tarzan II is a mixed bag. While it's not as poor as Tarzan and Jane, which suffered from issues like uncomfortable posing and recycled animation, it also doesn't quite match the beauty and elegance of the first film. The Gorilla designs, in particular, suffer from a sense of repetitiveness and lack of originality. The lack of creativity in the gorilla characters means that they feel somewhat generic and unremarkable.

The world-building in Tarzan II is particularly strained. The idea of a legendary creature like Zugor being nothing more than an old gorilla pretending to be a monster is a stretch. The characters' fears and reactions often feel exaggerated and inconsistent, further weakening the narrative coherence.

Final Analysis

Overall, Tarzan II is a film that tests the boundaries of what a sequel should be. While it has its merits, particularly in terms of its visual style and some of the character introductions, it ultimately falls short of the standard set by the original. The plot and character development feel rushed and underdeveloped, and the execution often feels forced and inconsistent.

In terms of entertainment value, Tarzan II offers some fun moments but does not raise the bar high enough to keep it relevant. The story's subversions and rehashes feel more like a nostalgic reminder of the franchise's potential rather than an engaging standalone adventure. Rating-wise, Tarzan II gets a 4.5/10, reflecting its overall fun but flawed nature.