TARZAN AND THE LOST CITY
New adaptation of Egdar Rice Burroughs' work. This film keeps the atmosphere of the original book, but it adds some modern topics such as a strong criticism against colonization and the need to respect Nature.
Identification sheet:
1998, Australia and USA
Running time: 83 minutes
Direction: Carl Shenkel
Production: Lake/Greissler/Canter
Sound Track: Christopher Franke
Main characters:
Standing by our well-built Tarzan of this version (starring Casper Van Dier, hero of Starship Troopers) we find Jane March, playing a determined Jane Parker, having nothing to do with the stereotype of the frightened burgeoise girl. The couple fights against Nigel Raven (Steve Waddington), a looter, a huter and a true vulture threatening a weakened country. The other main characters of the tribe are the wise wizard Mugambi (Winston Ntshona) and the warrior Kaya (Rapula Seiphemo).
A referEntial unity, quite loyal to the book:
This film has plenty of "deja-vus" and does not pretend to innovate at all. His refences are plentiful, even in topics that have nothing to do with Tarzan.
However we still have, like in all other films about tarzan or the jungle in general, the waterfalls scene culminated by some chaste exchange of kisses between our hero and his Jane. We also witness the almost ethnological scene of the compulsory tribal ceremony in the village.
Moreover, the film also uses other images which could be said to be out of touch from reality. Sorcery appears, as it was expected fiorm a film set in Central Africa. The chief of the tribe uses some benefitial magic to help Tarzan in his fight. This intervention of the irrational world is accomplished by some special effects, like the wizard's metamorphosing into a swarm of bees.
Opar, the Lost City, has the shape of a pyramide, enclosing supernatural forces and being, at the same time, a sanctuary where those who do not have a pure heart are expelled.
As one can see, the scenario makers of this film took into account The Fifth Element (Besson), where we find an exact scene with blinding light springing from the centre of the pyramide. They also had in mind Raiders of the Lost Ark (Speilberg), where the nazis are melted to the bones by the destructive divine force of the Graal.
However, this multiplicity of references does not affect the coherence of the plot. The writers of the film present a convincing Tarzan within the tradition of good film adaptations.
In fact, the great quality of the film is given by his respect to the simplicity of Burrough's book. Another aspect to highlight is the lack of unnecessary violence, quite presetn in now-a-days films.
Last adventures of the most reincarnated character:
Tarzan is the cinema character who enjoys of the longest longevity ever. You can count around 50 titles with Tarzan as its protagonist. As a distinguishing point, the last films have focused a litle bit more on Tarzan's origins, linking with Burroughs' first chapters of his book. Tarzan was born son of an English Lord but was left all alone in the Jungle when he was still a baby. Brought up by apes, his fist adventure is to find out where he comes from. He goes back to England to claim his noble title and his fortune.
Tarzan and the Lost City is set in Suffolk, 1913, and narrates Tarzan's return to the jungle in order to protect tribes and Nature from loothers.