Filmology Rating: 2 out of 4

It's been almost a decade since Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård), who is now known as John Clayton III since he has left Africa to live in Victorian England with his wife Jane (Margot Robbie). Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz), a treacherous envoy for King Leopold of Belgium, devises a plan that brings Tarzan and Jane back to the Congo. There, Rom plans to capture Tarzan and deliver him to an old enemy in exchange for diamonds that will fund a Belgium army. 

A few months ago, we had a live action adaptation of The Jungle Book and it was fantastic. It was everything that the movie should have been and so much more. It was fun, it was exciting, it had humor, emotion and depth, and so much more. I was hoping that this live adaptation would be along those same lines of both quality and having those similar factors…. That was not the case.

The Legend of Tarzan was far too serious and lacked anything to really grab on to and care about. I feel that this was trying to a really serious film when it should’ve been trying to go for a fun factor. Tarzan is a man who knows and can communicate with animals, swings from vines, and surfs on branches; he is a fun individual! While I feel this movie did capture the essence of Tarzan in a more adult fashion and stayed true to his character, he just lacked a fun aspect. He needed to have this more fun side of him that would really make us care about him and his adventures. This filmed lacked this greatly.

The best character in the movie by far was Samuel L. Jackson and his character. Now he had this fun factor! He had jokes, he was a tough guy, and he had good morals. He actually seemed like he was having a lot of fun filming this movie as well and it really showed. Margot Robbie struggled a little bit in this film but that was not her fault. They didn’t give her nearly enough to work on and for a majority of the film she was just a damsel in distress needing to be saved. When she did have some slower moments to work with, I thought that she was good. Christoph Waltz did nothing for me in this movie. I thought that he portrayed the dullest character that I have ever seen him play which was a shock because he is such a talent. I wouldn’t say that he was bad, but he just was very dull and boring. Every actor in this film was fine to ok at best (minus Jackson). Nobody really shines and there was a very dull vibe to it. That basically sums up the movie; very dull. A lot of dull colors, dull characters, dull everything.

Apart from the decent action, an occasional laugh by Samuel Jackson, and an alright story, this film doesn't offer much at all. I was really disappointed with The Legend of Tarzan. It had a lot of potential I think but the biggest flaw is that it takes itself too seriously. I really wouldn’t suggest seeing this movie in theaters if you were on the edge about going or not.

Rating: Skip It 

-Nick