Some of the animation in Lionsgate distributed Tarzan actually isn’t bad… if kept at difference otherwise close-ups tend to reveal the creepy dead-eyes. However, the story also isn’t that good, although unlike some, I actually don’t have many issues with the changes made, it’s just that what is there, to go along with clunky dialogue, isn’t all that enthralling.
Tarzan
(2014)
Genre(s): Animation, Adventure, Family
Lionsgate | PG– 94 min. – $19.99 | August 5, 2014
 |
MOVIE INFO: Directed by: Reinhard Kloss Writer(s): Reinhard Kloss (screen story) (screenplay) Voice Cast: Kellan Lutz, Spencer LockeDISC INFO: Features: Featurettes, DVD Copy, Digital Copy Number of Discs: 2Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 5.1) Video: 1080p/Widescreen 2.40 Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish Disc Size: NA Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Region(s): A |
PLOT SUMMARY
During an expedition to a remote African jungle, the Greystoke family’s helicopter crashes, leaving one survivor: a young boy J.J., nicknamed Tarzan. Raised by gorillas, Tarzan (voiced by KELLAN LUTZ) lives by the laws of the jungle – until he encounters another human being, the courageous and beautiful Jane Porter (SPENCER LOCKE). For Tarzan and Jane, it’s love at first sight – and the beginning of a thrilling adventure – as Tarzan uses his instincts and intellect to protect his jungle home and the woman he loves.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.25/5
This release comes with a glossy slip cover and inside the case is a standard DVD Copy and a redemption code for the Digital Copy. Additionally, this is, at the time of this writing, a Wal-Mart exclusive release.
Becoming Gorillas (7:19; HD) is a pretty basic featurette containing some behind-the-scenes footage of the motion capture and some on-set interviews with the cast and crew.
The Making of Tarzan (11:01; HD) delves a bit further into how the project came to be and has more BTS footage and interviews.
Behind the Scenes with Kellan Lutz and Spencer Locke (8:00; HD) provides some more footage with the two lead actors.
VIDEO – 4.5/5
Tarzan swings onto Blu-ray presented with a 1080p high-definition transfer and shown with a 2.40 widescreen aspect ratio. Like any new animated movie, the picture here is near pristine, colors are bright and have a certain pop and I noticed no obvious flaws such as artifacting.
AUDIO – 4.25/5
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track is serviceable providing for clear dialogue levels coming through the center channel while the more action-oriented scenes do give some depth to this lossless track. It’s nothing profound but it’s more than adequate for the source material.
OVERALL – 2.5/5
Overall, some of the animation in Lionsgate’s Tarzan actually isn’t bad… if kept at difference otherwise close-ups tend to reveal the creepy dead-eyes. However, the story also isn’t that good, although unlike some, I actually don’t have many issues with the changes made, it’s just that what is there, to go along with clunky dialogue, isn’t all that enthralling. The Blu-ray at least has good audio and video transfers while the features are on the average side.
Published: 08/01/2014