Film Review | The Legend of Tarzan

We’ve all heard the stories; the myth; the legend.

But where is he now? What is he doing? Who has he become?

Will we ever really know Tarzan?

The Story

Now, for many of us, we’re aware of Tarzan through Disney. But the legend of Tarzan actually came from 20th century author, Edgar Rice Burroughs – heavily inspired by Kipling’s, The Jungle Book. Following closely to the original roots of the story, Village Roadshow Pictures decide to embellish their production with a dash of history between Belgium and the United Kingdom.

Now you guys know me, I have no issues with adding a bit of history to fiction, unfortunately the history enthusiast in me died a little while watching this film. Although I admire the writing team’s attempt to make Tarzan’s story relevant in some realistic way, I will say that they should have just stayed with the fictitious core and left the history for another movie (like, 12 Days A Slave or Amazing Grace). I also understand that there’s a need to move away from the animated film as well as giving audiences something new, but the attempt to mix reality with fiction just opened gaps that poor character development filled.

I said it with Charlie St. Cloud and I’ll say it now: You can have the best cast in the world, but if there’s no story there’s no point. In this case there’s no story, little character development and too much scenic and graphic compensation.

The Cast

NB: The poor storyline did not mean the film had bad acting.

Alexander Skarsgård was fantastic in bringing Burroughs’s original character to life. Though he had very little dialogue, his facial expressions and body language were enough to make him both endearing and fierce.

Similarly, Margot Robbie was great at portraying a ferocious and, at times, comedic Jane Porter. Returning to the original plot, the Aussie actress dons her superb American accent in order to make Jane both entertaining and admirable.

Christoph Waltz was also a very good villain. Text-book antagonist with no remorse. So nothing too difficult on his part, but well done nevertheless.

Samuel L. Jackson’s character was the most confusing character in the film. He’s not the typical sidekick either, he’s kid-of just…there. Not to say that SLJ wasn’t brilliant, I just think his character was out of place. When I say “out of place,” I mean he doesn’t sit well in either the historical attempt or the fictional homage; his just an additional character to be relevant. Other than not having a lisp, he might as well have played Valentine from Kingsman (suav, wise-ass Valentine, not psycho-wants-to-kill-the-world Valentine). He had, on the other hand, a great background story to relate with Tarzan, but nothing really important to the core story.

Overall… just hire it out. Thanks for the Vmax experience Event Cinemas, but I think you should just keep it playing on the regular-screens. It’s a good film for families with teens, but if you have little ones, just stick to Disney.

sL Star Rating: ★★

Next on sL: Suicide Squad

Film Review | Ghostbusters

Patty (Leslie Jones) was just doing her job when she met Rowan (Neil Casey) – she didn’t realise he wasn’t your ordinary subway anomaly. Abby (Melissa McCarthy) and Jillian (Kate McKinnon) were enjoying another day at work. And Erin (Kristen Wiig) always believed in ghosts, but when she’s reunited with Abby, her humdrum-college-professor life is splattered.

The Story

As a whole, this gender-reversed remake follows the original plotline with a serious upgrade in technology. The changes are in the character foundations that shape the film with its own series of ghostbusting antics. It begins with two old school friends (unwillingly) reuniting after Abby, and her colleague, Jillian, ask Erin to help her with a paranormal distress call. 

As soon as they encounter their first real ghost – one that proves several of their scientific theories – they’re all kicked out of the collegiate payroll.

The uniqueness of this film stems from the traces of estrogen that dusts its self into the back story of Kristen Wiig’s character. Haunted for a year at the age of eight by the mean-old-lady-next-door; scarred for life by the repercussions of knowing that no one believed her. This traumatic history gives way to small pockets of Erin’s psychological need to prove herself to everyone who don’t believe in ghosts; proving that she really does matter in a world that doesn’t care.

To add a nice little role-reversal cherry at the top of this cake, Chris Hemsworth (a.k.a. Kevin) features as this film’s Janine (Annie Potts), to show that men can sometimes be just as useless as women.

The Cast

Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy were as hilarious as they were endearing. Wiig was great at balancing Erin’s awkward geekiness with her trauma-based need to be believed. She gave us just as many belly-clenching moments as fearfully saddened empathetic thrills. McCarthy was both comical and fierce as the leader of the pack. Unlike Erin’s constant need to be believed, Abby simply cared about continuing the work and didn’t give a stuff about what people thought about her.

Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones matched Wiig and McCarthy in their depiction of Jillian and Patty. Jillian is your typical tech-geek whose quirkiness lies in her suave approach to science and life. Patty is you resident New Yorker who asserts herself as resourceful and necessary to the operation. As an ensemble, this foursome beautifully playoff one another and never overshadowed each other. They’re solid unit and you know you’re always in for a good time with these ladies. So…who you gonna call?

Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Earnie Hudson and Sigourney Weaver also make their own unique cameos in this film, gaving the original audience a nostalgic hit. Not to metion Slimer, Stay Puft Marshmellow Man, The Scoleri Brothers and the Ancient Dragon ghosts all pay a visit to wreak havoc on New York City once more.

Overall…it’s one for all ages. You’ll be laughing until your sides are hurting just as much as be yelling at the person who brought you to see this film. It’s as light hearted as it is scary.

sL Star Rating: ★★★
Next on sL: The Legend of Tarzan

Film Review | Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates

Warning: Please note that this film is rated ‘R’ in the USA.

All Mike (Adam DeVine) and Dave (Zac Efron) wanted to do was give their sister, Jeanie (Sugar Lyn Beard), the best time on her big day. What started as an ultimatum from their dad (Stephen Root), turned into the biggest whirlwind of deceit, laughter and disaster.

The Story

The hilarious plotline for Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates is founded on an actual Craigslist advertisement written by the real Stangle brothers. Andrew Jay Cohen's and Brendan O’Brien’s screenplay follow two mediocre liquor salesmen trying to find “nice girls” for their sister’s wedding to keep them in check before, during and after the big day.

They placed their advertisement on Craigslist to later be swamped by creepers who only want a free “vacay”. When everything looked bleak, Tatiana and Alice make a dramatic entry – seemingly to solve all their problems. Only thing is…Tatiana and Alice are only playing nice – an all-expenses paid vacation as dates, c’mon – it’s a disaster waiting to happen!

Cohen and O’Brien embellished the real turn of events to give us barrels of laughter, but if you’ve watched interviews with the Stangles and their cameo story, there may have been some truth to parts of the film.

The Cast

Zac Efron and Adam DeVine have been herald as accurate portrayals of the Stangle brothers, but not without their own perks. DeVine stuck with his guns in terms of his comedic flair and over-the-top dramatisations. Efron was his charming self with a dash of his badass nature in Bad Neighbours. Together they were a casting match made-in-heaven.

Aubrey Plaza and Anna Kendrick were just as funny! Kendrick’s sad-hot-mess Alice suavely matched plaza’s nonchalant and sassy Tatiana. They were brilliant at overplaying and underplaying their two-faced characters, taking Mike and Dave – along with the audience - for a spin.

As a foursome, I tip my hat to the casting team. These four worked well as individuals, duos and as an ensemble. Well done, everyone!

Overall…as much as this is not for children under the age of eighteen, it is for those of you out there who think you’re the life of the party and know that you’re really not – but you’ll act like it anyway. It’s a ‘You-Do-You’ film that matches this generation’s comedic prowess. 

I will also stress that this is not a family film, nor should any child under the age of eighteen see this film, some things are better left for your later selves.

sL Star Rating: ★★★★

Next on sL: Ghostbusters