Adam Cozad and Craig Brewer’s The Legend Of Tarzan screenplay takes something of a Deadpool approach, starting later in the story (with Alexander Skarsgård’s Tarzan now living a comfortable life in England as John Clayton, before being drawn back to the Congo after rumours of slavery arrive in his ears) but periodically flashing back to his origin tale. The main plotline, though – John Clayton returning to his roots to stamp out injustice – is fairly strong. It’s almost the Tarzan version of The Dark Knight Returns, with Skarsgård’s character gradually losing his patience (and his clothes) as the crimes of the Congo become more and more apparent. When he finally embraces his original identity and swings between trees using vines, it’s a euphoric moment framed emphatically by director David Yates. Sadly, between the flashbacks and the brooding protagonist shtick, there isn’t really enough time allotted to the supporting cast here. Christoph Waltz isn’t given long enough to produce anything other than Another Christopher Waltz Villain Performance, and Margot Robbie’s Jane – despite verbally refusing to scream ‘like a damsel’ – doesn’t do much beyond getting captured repeatedly. The only characters served well are Tarzan himself and Samuel L. Jackson’s George Washington Williams (an American Civil War vet who ropes Tarzan into this adventure). Tarzan shows George his world (giving viewers a cipher), and in return George delivers a surprisingly touching monologue about the horrific things he’s seen in his life. Skarsgård gives a strong performance throughout, while Jackson reminds us that he’s got much more in his acting locker than swearing and shooting stuff. (Although, full disclosure: he does swear once and shoot rather a lot of stuff.) This central relationship, which starts frosty and ends up somewhere in bromance territory (a brief dialogue regarding a gorilla’s scrotum is a particular highlight from their bonding phase), is the heart of the movie and is likely to keep you interested despite the film’s flaws. Of which there are quite a few. But Yates, a Harry Potter veteran, knows how to shoot family friendly action. And the main storyline of Tarzan’s reluctant heroic return is quite gripping at points. And the two male leads have enough chemistry to hold everything else together. Still, a missed opportunity.
