Dubai: Is Tarzan relevant today? In a screen era marked by the dominance of superheroes and sci-fi adventures, will a character raised in the jungles of Africa catch the imagination of today’s youth who have never read a Tarzan comic book?
Ahead of the release of The Legend of Tarzan in the UAE, XPRESS spoke to a cross section of youngsters to find out how they related to the character and, if at all, if they were looking forward to the latest installation of the franchise. The response was unanimous and every teenager we spoke to was excited about the movie, with many having booked tickets in advance.
“I am sure the newest Tarzan flick is going to be interesting considering the movie-making technology of the present time. I would love to see how they juxtapose today’s special effects on the old-world jungle setting,” said 16-year-old Tajik Rahmonbek.
Tanzanian Ali Rashid, 15, whose familiarity with the ‘king of the jungle’ is limited only to animated versions, said Tarzan makes for a good family movie. “I have seen the Disney production and can’t wait to see the ‘real’ one. The story of Tarzan is something that can be enjoyed by the whole family. He may not be a superhero but he is a hero,” said Ali Rashid.
Timeless character
Syrian Venus Johara, 15, who is already familiar with the movie’s theme song, described Tarzan as a timeless character. “I don’t quite buy the argument that the jungle-raised hero has lost his significance in today’s gadget-driven time. As long as the movie is made well, it will do well,” she said.
Echoing her view is 16-year-old Egyptian Shahd Yasser. “Don’t forget people still love ‘old’ mythological movies. You have your 300s, you have your Gladiators and you have your Troys. They all did well. So to say Tarzan is not in sync with modern times is not good enough a reason to stay away from the film,” she said.
Directed by David Yates, The Legend of Tarzan stars Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgard in the lead role. The narrative begins with John Clayton (Tarzan) being settled in England with wife Jane Porter (Margot Robbie). The lush paradise of the Congo is a distant memory until the British Prime Minister (Jim Broadbent) passes on an invitation from King Leopold II of Belgium to visit the Congo as a trade emissary of Parliament. John initially refuses, but gun-slinging American envoy George Washington Williams (Samuel L Jackson) persuades him to go in order to investigate rumours that Leopold has enslaved local tribes to build his railroad. No further spoilers here!
