{{Short description|German animated film}} {{Use British English|date=May 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox film | image = Tarzan (2013 film).jpg | alt = | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Reinhard Klooss | writer = Reinhard Klooss | based_on = {{based on|''Tarzan''|Edgar Rice Burroughs}} | producer = {{Plainlist| * Robert Kulzer<ref name="variety">{{Cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=2010-08-09|url=https://variety.com/2010/digital/features/tarzan-returns-in-3d-1118022729/|title='Tarzan' returns in 3D|work=Variety|access-date=2012-10-07}}</ref> * Reinhard Klooss<ref name="variety"/> }} | starring = {{Plainlist| * Kellan Lutz * Spencer Locke * Jaime Ray Newman * Robert Capron * Mark Deklin * Trevor St. John * Brian Huskey }} | narrator = Jason Hildebrandt | cinematography = Marcus Eckert | editing = Alexander Dittner | music = David Newman | studio = {{Plainlist| * Constantin Film * Ambient Entertainment }} | distributor = Constantin Film | released = {{Film date|df=yes|2013|10|17|Russia|2014|2|20|Germany}} | runtime = 94 minutes | country = Germany | language = English | budget = €25 million | gross = €44.1 million<ref name="bom">{{cite web|title=Tarzan (2013)|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/intl/?page=&id=_fTARZAN201|work=Box Office Mojo|publisher=IMDb|access-date=September 19, 2014|archive-date=February 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203215904/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/intl/?page=&id=_fTARZAN201|url-status=live}}</ref> }} '''''Tarzan''''' is a 2013 English-language German animated action-adventure film based on the ''Tarzan'' stories by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Written, directed and produced by Reinhard Klooss, the film features the voices of Kellan Lutz and Spencer Locke. The story sees Tarzan (Lutz), a helicopter crash survivor who was raised by apes, as he meets and teams up with Jane Porter (Locke) to protect an energy-abundant meteor from the CEO of Tarzan's late father's company.
''Tarzan'' premiered in Russia on 17 October 2013, before releasing in Germany on 20 February 2014. It was distributed in Germany by Constantin Film. The film grossed €44.1 million worldwide against a budget of €25 million, despite receiving predominantly negative reviews from critics.
==Plot== In prehistoric times, a meteor crashed into Earth and killed all the dinosaurs. In the present day, industrialist John Greystoke funds an expedition to Uganda to locate the meteor and harness its energy. Aided by scientist James Porter, the expedition is a failure and John decides to leave with his wife and their son John Jr.
While flying over a semi-active volcano, the Greystokes' helicopter's instruments go haywire. Forced to land on the meteor, John explores a cave and discovers glowing rock formations. Using his pickaxe, John collects a sample, only to cause a chain reaction that awakens the volcano. While trying to escape, their helicopter crashes, with only John Jr. surviving. The boy is discovered by the Mountain gorilla Kala, who recently lost her child. Adopted into the troop, John chooses to be called "Tarzan," a name he made up meaning "Ape with no fur."
Tarzan grows up learning the ways of the animals. After the Greystokes' disappearance, Dr. James Porter funds his expeditions by acting as a jungle guide for wealthy tourists. During a routine safari, a client wanders away from the group, attracting the attention of a cassowary. Dr. Porter's daughter Jane saves him by putting herself in danger, as she is bitten by a viper. Infatuated with the girl, Tarzan carries Jane to a shelter and cures her. The next day, she returns to her father's camp with only vague memories of the night before.
Confused by exposure to humans after so long, Tarzan decides to leave his gorilla family. He wanders to the site of the helicopter crash, finds the meteor stone his father took, and builds a shelter. Years later, Tublat, the apes' abusive leader, noses around Tarzan's shelter and accidentally activates the helicopter's emergency beacon. The transmission is received by Greystoke Energies. William Clayton, the current CEO, knowing what John senior was looking for, sees a chance to make money. He promises Jane, who now works for a conservation group, to fund her organization if she accompanies him to Africa to speak with her father.
In Africa, Jane is disgusted by Clayton's greed. She leaves the party, wanders into the jungle, and finds Tarzan, now a man. Astounded, he brings her to his refuge. As a mark of love, Tarzan chips off a piece of the meteor rock and gives it to her. The rest of the group tracks Jane down there, where Clayton is shocked to find the Greystoke heir alive. Seeing him as a threat to his power, Clayton starts opening fire. The couple flees and is forced to enter a valley affected by the meteor, which causes unique mutations in the local flora and fauna, turning them into monsters. Surviving many dangers, the couple reaches the meteor, where Tarzan recognizes his father's long-abandoned pickaxe. Jane realizes Tarzan's true identity as John's son.
Tarzan returns to his ape tribe, where he introduces Jane to Kala and challenges Tublat for the right to lead. In the ensuing fight, Tarzan defeats Tublat and exiles him from the troop. That night, Jane and Tarzan admit to their love.
Meanwhile, Clayton transforms Dr. Porter's base into an armed base filled with mercenaries. A conflict later ensues between the couple and Clayton's men. Kala runs in to protect Tarzan and Jane, getting shot in the process. Tarzan is attacked from behind and locked in a cage. Aided by his gorilla friends, he escapes, moves Kala into the jungle, and treats her wound, determined to get his revenge. Clayton moves his resources to the meteor and rigs it with explosives. Tied up there and left to die, Jane and her father are rescued by Tarzan. Dr. Porter decides to stay behind and try to stop the detonation. In the ensuing battle, Tarzan summons his animal friends with a scream, the meteor awakens the volcano and the mountain begins to give way. While Clayton and his crew fall to their demise, Jane and Tarzan escape.
The couple reunites with Tarzan's family and vows to protect the forest. Meanwhile, Dr. Porter climbs up the cliff where he has gotten a piece of the meteor.
==Cast== * Kellan Lutz as John Greystoke Jr. / Tarzan, a man who was raised by Mountain gorillas from childhood following his survival of the helicopter crash that killed his parents.<ref name="trailer">{{Cite web|last=Chitwood|first=Adam|date=2012-10-05|url=https://collider.com/tarzan-3d-trailer/|title=First Trailer for Motion-Capture Animated Tarzan 3D|work=Collider|access-date=2012-10-07|archive-date=2012-10-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008001121/http://collider.com/tarzan-3d-trailer/200420|url-status=live}}</ref> ** Craig Garner and Jonathan Morgan Heit as 4-year-old Tarzan ** Anton Zetterholm as a teenage Tarzan * Spencer Locke as Jane Porter, the daughter of Dr. Porter and Tarzan's love interest. * Jaime Ray Newman as Alice Greystoke, Tarzan's mother who died in a helicopter crash along with her husband.<ref name="screendaily">{{Cite web|last=Kay|first=Jeremy|date=2012-05-10|url=http://www.screendaily.com/news/production/constantin-film-enlists-more-cast-members-on-tarzan/5041685.article|title=Constantin Film enlists more cast members on Tarzan|work=ScreenDaily|access-date=2012-10-07|url-access=subscription }}</ref> * Robert Capron as Derek * Mark Deklin as John Greystoke, the father of Tarzan and former CEO of Greystoke Energies. Before his death, John was exploring the site of an ancient meteor crash and was on the brink of a discovery.<ref name="deklin"/> * Trevor St. John as William Clayton, the greedy and scheming CEO of Greystoke Energies who sends a mercenary army to eliminate Tarzan and Jane.<ref name="screendaily"/> * Brian Huskey as Smith * Faton Millanaj as Miles * Maximilian Nepomuk Allgeier as Pilot 2 * Christian Serritiello as Chris * Brian Bloom as Miller * Andy Wareham as Tublat, the rogue Mountain gorilla who takes over Kerchak's troop. * Jeff Burrell as Derek's Father * Jason Hildebrandt as the narrator * Joe Cappelletti as Professor James Porter, Jane's father, and an old friend of Tarzan's parents.
==Production== Development on the film was announced in August 2010 when Constantin Film acquired animation rights to the ''Tarzan'' novels from the estate of author Edgar Rice Burroughs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2010/digital/markets-festivals/tarzan-returns-in-3d-1118022729/|title='Tarzan' returns in 3D|date=9 August 2010|access-date=2021-04-18|archive-date=2021-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419015651/https://variety.com/2010/digital/markets-festivals/tarzan-returns-in-3d-1118022729/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film's performace capture was shot in the Bavaria Film studio in Munich, and the animation process was done at Ambient Entertainment studios at Hannover.<ref name="deklin">{{Cite web|last=Kit|first=Boris|date=2012-05-14|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/gcb-mark-deklin-tarzan-3d-324062|title='GCB' Actor Joins Constantin's 3D 'Tarzan' (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2012-10-07|archive-date=2012-05-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519091851/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/gcb-mark-deklin-tarzan-3d-324062|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.film.tv/film/12/backstage/making-of-zu-tarzan-2013-23701.html|title=Making of zu Tarzan (2013)|work=film.tv|access-date=2012-10-07|archive-date=2015-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518091430/https://www.film.tv/film/12/backstage/making-of-zu-tarzan-2013-23701.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Director Reinhard Kloos wrote the screen story and screenplay, with uncredited contributions by Jessica Postigo and Yoni Brenner.<ref name="collider">{{Cite web|last=Chitwood|first=Adam|date=2011-11-04|url=https://collider.com/tarzan-3d-the-impossible-posters/|title=Promo Posters and Synopses for Tarzan 3D and The Impossible; First Synopsis for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones|work=Collider|access-date=2012-10-07|archive-date=2012-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016081609/http://collider.com/tarzan-3d-the-impossible-posters/124749/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Soundtrack== {{Infobox album | name = Tarzan | type = Soundtrack | artist = David Newman | cover = | alt = | released = 2013 | recorded = 2013 | venue = | studio = Teldex Scoring Stage, Berlin | genre = Film soundtrack | length = 64:45 | label = Parlophone | producer = David Newman | chronology = David Newman film scores | prev_title = A Christmas Story 2 | prev_year = 2012 | next_title = Behaving Badly | next_year = 2014 }} {|class="wikitable" ! Title ! Performer |- | "Paradise" || Coldplay |- | "Loud Like Love" || Placebo |}
==Release== Initially titled ''Tarzan 3D'', the film was reportedly set to premiere in Germany on 17 October 2013.,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.traileroase.com/tarzan-3d/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130702174535/http://www.traileroase.com/tarzan-3d/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-07-02 |title=Release-Date in Germany (2013) |work=Traileroase.com |access-date=2013-07-02 }}</ref> although its release date was revised and set for February 20, 2014 after its release in several other countries.
On 24 April 2014, the Irish premiere of the film was in aid of conservation charity Ape Action Africa, supported by the lead, Kellan Lutz, who is himself interested in conservation.<ref>{{cite news | title=TARZAN - Interview with lead actor Kellan Lutz | url=http://www.movies.ie/interviews/1197854/tarzan__interview_with_lead_actor_kellan_lutz | work=Movies.ie | date=29 April 2014 | access-date=5 May 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503104852/http://www.movies.ie/Interviews/1197854/TARZAN__Interview_with_lead_actor_Kellan_Lutz | archive-date=3 May 2014 }}</ref>
===Home media=== ''Tarzan'' was released on DVD and Blu-ray on August 5, 2014, by Lionsgate Home Entertainment.
==Reception== ===Critical response=== ''Tarzan'' was not screened in advance for critics, and received predominantly negative reviews, who panned the film's story and animation. The film holds a 20% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on 30 reviews with an average rating 4.54 out of 10.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tarzan_2013/|title=Tarzan|date=10 June 2020|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=20 April 2020|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725055612/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tarzan_2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Peter Debruge of ''Variety'' called "an eyesore for anyone above the age of 10 — literally, for those opting to see it in badly miscalibrated 3D".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-kellan-lutz-tarzan-3d-1201120052/|title='Tarzan' Review: The King of the Apes Has Seldom Looked More Primitive - Variety|author=Peter Debruge|work=Variety|date=26 February 2014|access-date=9 December 2017|archive-date=30 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130190524/http://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-kellan-lutz-tarzan-3d-1201120052/|url-status=live}}</ref> Jordan Mintzer of ''The Hollywood Reporter'' said, "All of this feels awfully simplistic, like a 10-minute cartoon sketch bloated into a full-length movie, and one that's backed by an over-explanatory voiceover that can sometimes sound awkward."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/tarzan-3d-2014/review/674407|title=Tarzan: Film Review|author=Jordan Mintzer|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=27 January 2014|access-date=20 April 2020|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924163313/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/tarzan-3d-2014/review/674407|url-status=live}}</ref> Reagan Gavin Rasquinha of ''The Times of India'' rated it 2 out of 5 stars, calling it "a slipshod rendering of a classic."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/movie-reviews/Tarzan/movie-review/34154040.cms | title=Tarzan Movie Review | work=The Times of India | date=24 April 2014 | access-date=8 April 2016 | author=Reagan Gavin Rasquinha | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425195609/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/movie-review/34154040.cms | archive-date=25 April 2014}}</ref> Angie Errigo of ''Empire'' rated it 2 out of 5, saying, "Ponderously plotted and unwonderfully animated, this will disappoint audiences spoilt by Pixar-grade animations."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=138581|title=Empire's Tarzan 3D Movie Review|work=empireonline.com|access-date=2020-04-20|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135715/http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=138581|url-status=live}}</ref> Peter Bradshaw of ''The Guardian'' said, "Here's a muddled and dull new family film about Tarzan, who in keeping with tradition is as clean-shaven and all-over hairless as any male stripper."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/may/01/tarzan-review-animation|title=Tarzan review – a witless knock-off|author=Peter Bradshaw|work=The Guardian|date=May 2014 }}</ref> Neil Smith of ''Total Film'' said, "Phil Collins songs aside, the last animated ''Tarzan'' marked the final flourish of the Disney Renaissance and coined a whopping $448M worldwide. This computer-generated mo-cap version can’t help to compete, even without a club-footed updating that turns Edgar Rice Burrough’s loinclothed apeman into a tree-hugger defending his jungle against capitalists." and added "Having trashed one icon in ''The Legend Of Hercules'', Kellan Lutz shafts another with vocals admittedly well-suited to the muscle-bound mannequin. What really sabotages Reinhard Klooss’ film, though, is a subplot involving a meteorite-derived power source."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/tarzan-2014|title=Tarzan|author=Neil Smith|date=2 May 2014|work=totalfilm.com|access-date=6 May 2014|archive-date=6 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506115545/http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/tarzan-2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Accolades=== ''Tarzan'' was nominated at the Golden Trailer Awards for Best Foreign Animation/Family Trailer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolfe |first=Jennifer |date=6 May 2014 |title=Golden Trailer Award Nominees Announced |url=https://www.awn.com/news/golden-trailer-award-nominees-announced |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305144710/https://www.awn.com/news/golden-trailer-award-nominees-announced |archive-date=5 March 2022 |access-date=19 March 2025 |website=Animation World Network}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |date=30 May 2014 |title=Golden Trailer Awards: ''Gravity'' Wins Best Of Show; Warner Bros Tops Studios |url=https://deadline.com/2014/05/golden-trailer-awards-winners-list-gravity-738380/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915112104/https://deadline.com/2014/05/golden-trailer-awards-winners-list-gravity-738380/ |archive-date=15 September 2014 |access-date=19 March 2025 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> At the 2014 International Film Music Critics Association Awards, it was nominated for Best Original Score for an Animated Film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 February 2014 |title=''Evil Dead'', ''Gravity'' and ''The Hobbit'' lead film music critics nominations |url=https://uproxx.com/hitfix/2014-international-film-music-critics-association-nominations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224231511/https://uproxx.com/hitfix/2014-international-film-music-critics-association-nominations/ |archive-date=24 February 2021 |access-date=19 March 2025 |website=Uproxx}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 February 2014 |title=''Romeo and Juliet'', ''Evil Dead'' and ''Walter Mitty'' win film music critics awards |url=https://uproxx.com/hitfix/2014-international-film-music-critics-association-awards-winners/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118210358/https://uproxx.com/hitfix/2014-international-film-music-critics-association-awards-winners/ |archive-date=18 January 2017 |access-date=19 March 2025 |website=Uproxx}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title|1705952}}
{{Tarzan}} {{Reinhard Klooss}} {{Authority control}} {{Portal bar|2010s|Germany|Animation|Cartoon|Speculative fiction}}
Category:2013 English-language films Category:2013 German films Category:2013 3D films Category:2013 computer-animated films Category:2013 fantasy films Category:2013 films Category:3D animated films Category:Animated films about death Category:Animated films about gorillas Category:Animated films about orphans Category:Animated films set in Africa Category:Animated films set in New York City Category:English-language German films Category:Films about animals Category:Films directed by Reinhard Klooss Category:Films produced by Robert Kulzer Category:Films scored by David Newman (composer) Category:Films set in Uganda Category:Films using motion capture Category:German 3D films Category:German action adventure films Category:German animated feature films Category:Lionsgate animated films Category:Lionsgate films Category:Summit Entertainment animated films Category:Summit Entertainment films Category:Constantin Film films Category:Animated Tarzan films Category:English-language action adventure films Category:English-language fantasy films Category:Films about meteoroids