Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Beautiful animation has some violence, intense moments.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Tarzan (2013)
What's the Story?
Representing his family's energy company, Greystoke is searching the African wilds for a 70-million-year-old meteor said to contain limitless energy. The meteor's seemingly magical powers inject an element of mysticism into the story. The search sets off a series of violent natural reactions that result in the downing of the helicopter carrying Greystoke, his wife, and their small son, J.J. The boy, who liked to call himself TARZAN (Kellan Lutz) while playing in the jungle, is discovered soon after by a silverback gorilla mom mourning the recent loss of her baby, and she raises the boy as her own. Nearly 20 years later, Greystoke Industries' rapacious new leader, Clayton, goes back to look for the meteor, using Jane, a naïve advocate of Africa's natural resources, as his cover. She falls for Tarzan, who helps her defeat Clayton and his evil army.
Is It Any Good?
Between beautiful animation and a literate script, this is a lot of fun and something parents and kids could watch and enjoy together. The logical flow gets a bit murky when the evil Clayton suddenly relaunches the search for the powerful meteor after having abandoned the project for 15 years. And Jane's decision to stay in the jungle with Tarzan and a bunch of silverback in-laws may also strain credulity and raise questions among curious children. But mostly Tarzan is a visual treat that poses good against evil, with some magic thrown in.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the real-life 19th-century origins of the Tarzan-like story that inspired Edgar Rice Burroughs to write his series of Tarzan novels and inspired filmmakers to make so many movies. What about the story do you think has made it continue to interest so many generations of readers and viewers?
The story depends on an acceptance that great apes have sophisticated social organizations, deep relationships, and an embedded sense of right and wrong. Families may want to look at some of the research that has documented these observations.
Which aspects of the story seem as if they could have happened, and which seem magical or fantastical? For example, do you think a meteor of limitless power exists? Do you think Tarzan could have learned English so quickly after not speaking it for 15 years?
How do the characters in Tarzan demonstrate courage and compassion? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 23, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : February 10, 2015
- Cast : Kellan Lutz , Spencer Locke , Jason Hildebrandt
- Director : Reinhard Klooss
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage
- Run time : 94 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : for action violence, peril/ frightening images, mild language and thematic elements
- Last updated : February 15, 2023
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