Having read the original origin story of the Edgar Rice Burroughs classic, I initially thought the movie was a direct adaptation of that material. Good thing it wasn't. The Legend Of Tarzan is set years after the main character already embraced his nobleman heritage as Lord Greystoke and living quietly with his wife Jane (Porter) in their London estate.
This time, the former Lord Of The Jungle goes back to Africa that is under the threat of slavery under the Belgian empire. But behind the sinister takeover is a deal with the fabled Leopard Men's leader to have Tarzan delivered over to him in exchange for the diamonds of Opar that the Belgians want.
When I saw the trailer I thought Christoph Waltz played D'Arnot, the French military official who was one of the jungle lord's true friends in the series. It turned out he played the film's main antagonist. With his trademark deadpan delivery and quiet menace that became a trademark; that also made perfectly cast as Blofeld in the recent Bond film. His Leon Rom is the perfect counterpoint for Alexander Skarsgard's Tarzan. While the villain is a frail, small man who relied on his wits and cunning, the protagonist is a force of nature who utilized his physical conditioning and instinct to get things done. Solid cast all around. Samuel L. Jackson, as always, is a scene-stealer.
The original screenplay independent to Burroughs' established series is an admirable take on the legendary character. For that alone, the movie is a must-see.
Ghostbusters
Melissa McCarthy was the main reason I dropped all apprehension about the movie. Spy turned me into a fanboy while Kristen Wiig's involvement in films I liked of late like The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty and The Martian also helped in upping the optimism despite a sizable chunk of the original series' fans crying blasphemy about a remake (Strike 1) that replaced the original cast with an all-female group (Strike 2). Whatever.
No less than the original cast members, with the exception of the recently departed Harold Ramis and Rick Moranis (who refused to participate), showed their support by doing cameos in some key scenes in the story.
Greatly entertaining and buoyed by a talented cast with impeccable comedic timing. Perhaps the most surprising revelation is Chris Hemsworth's self-deprecating humor that made him likable in ways his portrayal of Thor cannot. That, and the creepiest dweeb of a villain portrayed by Neil Casey make the film a laugh riot and one of the best comedy movies of the year.
