Tarzan 2: La leggenda ha inizio

This straight-to-video Disney sequel, taking place when Tarzan is still a boy, is so perfectly executed, it feels as though it could've been additional material cut from the first movie.

Tarzan, finding that he can't keep up with the other gorilla youngsters, begins to question who and what he is, and the film is more or less about his self-discovery and how he begins the transformation from just being a human boy to becoming the 'Tarzan' we all know and love.

All of your favorite characters are back (except Jane and the professor of course), as well as the voice talents of Glenn Close as Kala and Lance Henrikson as Kerchak. The casting director did a wonderful job in finding a young voice talent to perfectly match the young Tarzan from the original. Furthermore, it appears that most of the original animators are back as well, for the animation is something to behold, and a few new songs as well as a reprise from the first film by Phil Collins make it that much more convincing.

This film has the passion and heart that is usually lacking in the great majority of Disney sequels—you can really feel the care and respect for the material by all involved in the production. It's both touching and humorous, and not just for children—adults will find this amusing as well. Now if Disney will just follow suit and continue to make sequels such as this one, maybe they can actually put more than one every ten years in the theater.

VERDICT: Disney succeeds in finally making a worthwhile sequel, much of the caliber of the original. Recommended to all—if you liked the original Tarzan, you'll like this one. And to all you collectors out there, this one is definitely worth the $20—I know I'll be adding it to *my* collection sometime in the near future.

7.5 out of 10.0

~AleXa~

I didn't know what to expect considering Disney's negative reputation with their direct-to-video sequels. So when I watched it I have to say it was pretty good. It was well animated, acted and paced. The story's about a young Tarzan (Harrison Chad) trying to find his place in the jungle. After trying to keep up with his pack during a storm he gets separated and decides to run away feeling he doesn't belong with him. This leads him to a grumpy gorilla named Zugor (George Carlin) who pretends to be a monster in order to scare off the other animals near his home including a grumpy gorilla named Mama Gunda (Estelle Harris) and her two sons the irritable, aggressive Kago (Ron Perlman) and the happy yet dimwitted Uto (Brad Garrett) who think they are trapped by the "monster".

In exchange for keeping his secret Zugor reluctantly agrees to help him find out who he is. The movie's not as good as the first one but it's still good in its own right. The animation's a slight downgrade as the characters aren't as fluid as the original but it's still pretty good by direct-to-video standards. The characters are well-defined and enjoyable to watch. What Tarzan goes through is relatable as there's been a point in our life where we were trying to find out our place in this world. Mama Gunda and her sons antics are fun to watch as well. They really have good chemistry which leads to some good laughs. The songs aren't as memorable as the first but they're still written and performed by Phil Collins so they're ok. The pacing's pretty good. While there're moments of bouncing around there're also quiet thoughtful moments and I think they're done pretty well.

Tarzen 2's definitely a diamond in the rough. It has something for both kids and adults. It may not be memorable but it's still enjoyable nonetheless. If you have kids I'd say check it out.

"Tarzan 2," directed by Brian Smith, is a direct-to-video prequel that explores Tarzan's childhood before he becomes the jungle hero we know. The story follows young Tarzan as he struggles to find his place in the jungle, feeling different from both the animals and his adoptive ape family.

The film features solid voice performances, with Harrison Chad voicing young Tarzan, bringing a sense of curiosity and vulnerability to the character. Glenn Close and Lance Henriksen return as Kala and Kerchak, adding continuity and depth to the narrative. The animation maintains the vibrant, lush quality of the original film, immersing viewers in the jungle's beauty.

While "Tarzan 2" lacks the epic scope and emotional weight of the first movie, it provides an engaging and heartfelt look at Tarzan's formative years. The storyline is simple yet charming, emphasizing themes of self-discovery and belonging. It's a suitable watch for younger audiences and fans of the original film, offering a light, enjoyable adventure that expands on Tarzan's backstory.

Tarzan II I would say is maybe the best looking of the direct-to- video sequels. I was pretty overwhelmed by the beautiful landscapes and how grand they were made.

To shortly sum up my impression of the idea of making a so-called midquel: I think it was a great idea, because we did not see that much of how Tarzan coped with his identity issues in the original. Is it handled perfectly, you ask? No, not exactly, but when the movie has that theme in its undivided focus it works out well without any need for words. George Carlin's role as Zugor did make a good impression on me, because I was a little skeptical to begin with. He and Tarzan share some heartfelt moments together, even if the pay-off of Tarzan's search for his identity comes off as underwhelming.

The harshest criticism I have towards Tarzan II is that these three apes, Mama Gunda, Kago and Uto were really unnecessary as bad-guys. They could have made the same impact on Tarzan's life with a smaller role. But it could have been awesome to see more of how Sabor thretened the gorillas, because he seemed like a real threat in the original.

Tarzan II is an okay watch, and kids can enjoy the adventure and the comedy while adults may find it pleasant to see the heartfelt moments. Again, this is a Disney sequel so therefore the original is by far a better movie, but with that said, this is not insulting to its predecessor.

I didn't see this film until fairly recently, and since I loved the original film and the fact I am a huge animation fan I thought why not check it out? And I liked it very much, it is not as good as the original, which I think is wonderful, but it is better than Tarzan and Jane, which was mediocre.

Now I don't hate all the sequels, in fact some of them I have liked, King of Thieves, Enchanted Christmas, Simba's Pride, Bambi 2 and Brother Bear 2, though none of them are as good as their originals, and then there are some like Cinderella 2, Little Mermaid 2 and Jungle Book 2 that almost completely lack the heart and charm of their predecessors.

This sequel(or midquel perhaps) as I have said is not as good as the first Tarzan, but it does have the original's heart and charm, that is one main reason why it is one of the better Disney sequels. I do agree that the story is lacking a bit and drags in spots and the film is too short. However, there is some nice humour, and some parts are even touching. Even better though is the animation, this is easily one of the better-looking sequels. The animation in the original undoubtedly was absolutely fantastic, but here the landscapes, colours and characters are just as gorgeously rendered. And I liked the soundtrack as well, not as catchy but it is still nice and upbeat and gives the film its heart and soul.

Tarzan himself is very likable, strong and charismatic even as a young boy, yet loyal to his family and friends, and I liked Terk as well, she was funny without being completely over-the-top. The voice acting is strong, Harrison Chad does a great job, as do Glenn Close, Estelle Harris and Lance Henrikson, while Brenda Grate was surprisingly good as Terk.

Overall, not as good as the first Tarzan, but it is for me one of the better sequels, as it is very well animated and has charm and heart. 7/10 Bethany Cox