Tarzan Blu-ray Review

Tarzan's 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation showcases a mix of strengths and weaknesses. At first glance, the transfer seems flawless, with remarkable sharpness, vivid primaries, and inky black levels that craft an immersive viewing experience. The use of both traditional animation for characters and CGI for backgrounds harmonizes effectively, enhancing the lifelike movements of Tarzan through the jungle. Clearly defined line art and meticulously resolved background textures further contribute to the visual appeal. However, on closer inspection, several issues emerge. Viewers may observe intermittent macroblocking, especially in the fur of the gorillas, and occasional aliasing and faint banding. These artifacts, though relatively minor, become noticeable depending on screen size and personal attention to detail.

Presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, this Blu-ray slightly expands the original theatrical exhibition of 1.85:1. The video quality remains fairly pristine overall but is not without flaws. Macroblocking is particularly pronounced during close-ups of the gorillas' fur, creating a minor detractor for viewers with larger screens or those predisposed to nitpicking. Unlike other animated releases, jagged edges around characters are absent, suggesting a well-handled anti-aliasing process. Despite these issues, the balance between traditional animation and CGI stands out as a highlight, adding depth and smoothness to the animation that pure traditional techniques might lack. While Disney's presentation slightly misses top-tier perfection due to these artifacts, it still offers a visually compelling experience for fans of this classic animated film.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Tarzan" offers a high-resolution DTS-HD Master Audio 5.0 mix, which is both engaging and technically impressive. Despite the absence of the LFE channel that could enhance the thunderous soundscapes of battle scenes or chases, the mix boasts excellent headroom and crystal-clear rendering. Dialogue remains clear and well-grounded amidst the action, drama, and comedy, ensuring intelligibility without overshadowing the other sound elements. The fidelity and dynamic range are stellar, particularly during Phil Collins' songs, where each instrument is distinct, creating a rich sound experience.

Directionality, while only noticeable in some scenes due to constant speaker activity, helps envelop the listener in Mark Mancina's score and the jungle's ambient effects. This mix captures the intended detail of the soundtrack, making quiet moments involving dialogues as compelling as the more action-packed sequences. Though some might miss the lower-end power inherent in a full 5.1 surround track, the immersive playfulness provided by the rear speakers compensates for it to a significant extent. Overall, "Tarzan" delivers an almost full-bodied soundscape that fans will find satisfying.

Accompanying the main English DTS-HD 5.0 track are additional options including English 2.0, French 5.0, Spanish 5.0, and Portuguese 5.0, ensuring a versatile audio presentation. Subtitles are available in English SDH, English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, enhancing accessibility. While the exclusion of an LFE channel might slightly diminish the oomph during dynamic scenes, the blend of dialogue, sound effects, and musical score ensures a well-balanced and enriching auditory experience.

The "Tarzan" Blu-ray delivers an impressive array of extras that thoroughly explore the film's production, characters, music, and more. Highlights include an in-depth audio commentary by directors Chris Buck and Kevin Lima, along with producer Bonnie Arnold, offering insights into design, scripting, voice casting, and animation. Featurettes such as "History & Development" and "The Characters of Tarzan" provide a comprehensive look at the film’s early stages and character development. Additional segments focusing on animation production, storyboarding, and editorial processes enrich the viewing experience. Music aficionados will appreciate extensive sections dedicated to Phil Collins' contributions, including music videos and behind-the-scenes sessions. While the extras are primarily sourced from previous DVD releases without new additions, the breadth and quality of content remain unparalleled.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary: Directors and producer discuss the film's design and production.
History & Development: Overview of the film's earliest production stages.
The Characters of Tarzan: Detailed development of main characters.
Animation Production: Examination of traditional and CG animation techniques.
Story & Editorial: Focus on scripting and storyboarding processes.
Music & More: Insight into Phil Collins' music contributions and sessions.
Deleted Scenes: Three unfinished sequences with producer introduction.
DisneyPedia: Living in the Jungle: Educational featurette about real-life jungle animals.
Publicity: Original theatrical trailers for the film.

Disney’s adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan offers a visually captivating and energetically animated feature that stands out among Disney's releases. The film follows the journey of an orphaned baby, Tarzan, who is adopted by a family of gorillas and grows up amidst the jungle's lush and dangerous environs. As Tarzan grows, he develops incredible agility and strength, qualities that are beautifully rendered through a hybrid of traditional animation and CGI techniques. The seamless integration of these styles is particularly evident in the thrilling jungle surfing sequences, which remain a visual spectacle even years after the film’s initial release. The arrival of humans in Tarzan’s jungle world introduces a new dimension to his life and challenges him to reconcile his dual identity.

Voice acting in Tarzan is exceptionally well-executed, headlined by Tony Goldwyn as Tarzan and Minnie Driver as Jane, who share a convincing on-screen chemistry augmented by the animators’ detailed work. The supporting cast, including Glenn Close as Kala and Lance Henriksen as Kerchak, provide substantial emotional depth, although some voices, like Rosie O'Donnell's Terk, may polarize viewers with their strong delivery. Brian Blessed’s portrayal of the villainous Clayton offers a classic yet somewhat one-dimensional Disney antagonist whose menace culminates in a notably dark demise.

Phil Collins' contributions to the soundtrack, with songs such as “You'll Be in My Heart” and “Strangers Like Me,” add a unique musical narrative to the film. While some may view Collins' work as occasionally overbearing, his tunes undeniably possess a catchy appeal that enhances the film's pace and energy. Despite deviations from Burroughs' original story and certain underwhelming characterizations—particularly in the portrayal of Jane—Tarzan succeeds in delivering an emotionally engaging and visually exhilarating experience. It's a testament to Disney’s animation prowess, combining well-crafted storytelling and technical innovation in a cinematic package that appeals to audiences across generations.

The Blu-ray release of Disney's "Tarzan" provides a solid presentation of one of the more underappreciated animated films from the Disney catalog. Although it may not reach the iconic status of the studio’s classics, it remains a wondrous adventure replete with captivating animation, memorable characters, and an engaging narrative. Set against the visually lush jungle backdrop, the film leverages its source material tremendously well, showcasing a mix of humor, heart, and thrilling action sequences.

However, despite these strengths, the Blu-ray has minor shortcomings in technical execution. The video presentation is visually stunning but marred by a few imperfections that prevent it from reaching its full potential. On the audio front, the decision to utilize a 5.0 mix rather than a more comprehensive 5.1 mix slightly diminishes the auditory experience. Additionally, while the Blu-ray includes most of the bonus features from earlier DVD editions, the absence of any substantial new extras is noticeable and somewhat disappointing.

In conclusion, despite the technical quibbles, "Tarzan" on Blu-ray remains a valuable addition to any Disney enthusiast's collection. The movie itself holds up admirably well more than two decades after its original release, and although not perfect, it provides enjoyable viewing for both new audiences and those experiencing it once again. Whether for family movie nights or for fans of Disney's animated adventures, this release is recommended for its substantive entertainment value.