'Legend of Tarzan' Mix Childhood Nostalgia with Sharp Takes on Slavery, Colonialism
“The Legend of Tarzan” seamlessly connects the classic Disney cartoon we’ve grown up with with a gritty tale of slavery, exploitation and the importance of being righteous. This classic family favorite is sure to please younger audiences with Tarzan’s acrobatics as well as adults with its darker-than-we-bargained-for jabs at white supremacy and colonialism.
The story begins with a rather confusing twist. Tarzan is no longer in the jungle but the aristocrat with gorgeous blond locks, John Clayton III of the Greystoke house. Clayton was requested and reluctantly obliged to return to Africa as a trade emissary for the British House of Commons along with George Washington Williams (Samuel L. Jackson) of America as his partner.
In their attempt to find out if King Leopold of Belgium has been using slave labor to build his railroad and exploitation of natural resources in Congo, Clayton and Williams were faced with more than they bargained for when the corrupt Belgian Captain, Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz) comes into the picture.
Rom had been assigned by the Belgian king to take the legendary diamonds of Opar in order to repay the kingdom’s hefty debt. In exchange for the diamonds, Chief Mbonga (Djimon Hounsou) requested his arch nemesis, Tarzan. Mbonga’s undying thirst for revenge and Rom’s greed for power resulted in a manhunt all over Congo for the elusive and wild Tarzan.
The movie may seem like your run of the mill action film, with a clear hero and a clear villain, complete with an evil mustache. However, the real evil in the movie, very clearly indicated, is colonialism itself. The exploitation of ivory, human resources and the clear disregard for life in Africa is heavily challenged and criticized by the movie above all else. If you’re in the market to bash on white supremacy, this movie is prefect for you.
Alexander Skarsgard’s Tarzan is sure to wow audiences with his chiseled abs and luscious locks, not to mention his strange ability to cuddle up to lions who were “his childhood friends” and convince a heard of wildebeests, lions, gorillas and crocodiles to join him in destroying a town of white people — who probably had it coming. The recent trend in including strong, badass female characters was continued as well, with “Suicide Squad” baddie Robbie as Jane. No empowered female character is complete without spitting in the face of a potentially predatory man of course.
“The Legend of Tarzan” is a great summer movie to enjoy with the family, but perhaps younger viewers should come in with lowered expectations of it being like its cartoon counterpart and more like watching a public service announcement against white supremacy but with feral-looking CGI-d animals.
Info:
"The Legend of Tarzan" opens in Indonesian cinemas July 1.
In English with Indonesian subtitles
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