I just re-watched this tonight so it's fresh in my mind!
Okay, so first of all. The opening scene is amazing!! I love it despite how much the death of Kerchak and Kala's baby pains me. The music is flawless and so moving.
I love that as soon as Kala hears Tarzan's cries she runs to go get him, not really knowing what to expect, just knowing there's a child crying out for someone. I also love that she accepts baby Tarzan into her life, despite mourning her son that the Sabor got.
Kerchak isn't as open-minded as Kala, so when he sees Tarzan he doesn't really accept him, and this continues throughout the entire movie. However, it is understandable. From what we got to see, Kerchak was very attached to his biological son, and it broke his heart when the Sabor killed his child. He was bitter from that moment on. Kala on the other hand, managed to heal her wounds by giving her love as a mother to Tarzan, who needed her to survive.
Terk amuses the heck out of me! She is so straight forward and hilarious, and kind of sarcastic. It's amazing! I love how she's one of Tarzan's best friends in the end, despite kind of teasing him when he was little.
I also find it interesting that she's a girl. I always grew up thinking she was a boy, and I still thought so when I re-watched it tonight. So when I read on wikipedia that she was not only female, but voiced by Rosie O'Donnell (who I was used to seeing as Betty in the Flintstones), I was completely surprised. Great character!!
Tantor, Tarzan's other best friend is so adorable. He was so cute when he was little and thought the water wasn't sanitary. Completely adorable! I also loved him as an adult. He was viewed as pretty gentle throughout the whole movie, but in the end he really pulls through when he convinces Terk to go with him to save Tarzan on the ship.
Jane is a lovely lady! I love how she is simply fascinated with wildlife, and I love the crazy adventure she goes on when she meets the baby monkey for the first time. So very amusing.
I love hers and Tarzan's love story, and I love that she wants to learn gorilla language and eventually decides to stay in the jungle with Tarzan.
Jane's father is such a joy too. I had forgotten that he had decided to stay behind too, but was glad to see that he did.
Clayton is an awful man, but a pretty good villain. It's clear that he has a motive and stuff, and that he's up to no good. I mean, who else goes around shooting everything, not caring about wildlife at all? Definitely a bad guy.
Kerchak is a very complicated character. When I was little I always saw him as mean, but he is actually pretty complex and has quite the backstory. As I mentioned, the loss of his child left him scarred and bitter, and he would not accept the death of his child and therefore he did not accept Tarzan.
When Tarzan killed the Sabor, I believe Kerchak was more jealous than grateful. I'm pretty sure Kerchak wanted to be the one to kill the Sabor, to avenge his child's death, but Tarzan ended up as the hero. This may have been bittersweet for Kerchak because on one hand he is grateful to Tarzan for having been saved, but at the same time he wanted to be the one to finish off the Sabor.
We don't see Kerchak truly accept Tarzan until the moment of his death, which is when he names Tarzan as the new leader of the family, and also calls him his son. This moment is heartbreakingly sweet.
Okay, now onto the animation. The animation is absolutely beautiful! Even from the very beginning of the movie, it's enchanting. The jungle is beautiful and I love the design of both animals and humans.
I especially love the whole "Strangers Like Me" scene, when the music goes slow and Tarzan takes Jane to go see the colourful birds. The animation in that scene is just extraordinary!
The storyline is very interesting. It starts out pretty dark with the death of the baby gorilla, along with Tarzan's parents. Add Kerchak's bitterness and Clayton's master plan and it's a pretty dark story. Not to mention Tarzan feeling different and out of place.
However, it also has room for the light humour that Terk and Tantor bring, along with the love story between Tarzan and Jane.
Overall the story is very entertaining and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
The music is phenomenal!!! I love Phil Collins and the music he did for this movie is fantastic! My favourite song is "You'll Be In My Heart", however I may be somewhat biased because that is one of the songs I feel suits the relationship between me and my dog.
But all the songs are truly amazing and I listen to them a lot in general Absolutely fantastic!
Generally this is an amazing movie and I can see why it's always been one of my favourites. I am so happy I re-watched it because it brings such joy to me.
Now, I apologize for the giant post but I felt the need to get my thoughts out there.