Tarzan II
Detailed parental analysis
Tarzan II is a light and warm animated adventure, directly aimed at young children. The plot follows a young Tarzan who, feeling different from the gorillas who raised him, sets out on a journey of self-discovery in an unexplored part of the jungle. The film clearly targets an audience of 4 to 8 years old and continues the Disney universe without aspiring to its narrative ambition.
Underlying Values
The film builds its entire narrative around the question of belonging and difference. Tarzan does not resemble the gorillas surrounding him and genuinely suffers from this, which gives the film real emotional resonance for children who feel out of place in their group. The character of Zugor, an old solitary gorilla who chose isolation out of fear of others' judgment, offers an interesting counterpoint: the film clearly shows that cutting oneself off from others and hiding behind an intimidating facade does not protect, and that caring for others is more fulfilling than solitude. These two arcs respond to each other coherently and give the film a solid moral backbone.
Violence
Violence remains in the register of childish slapstick: a young gorilla bumps his head against rocks, characters find themselves in dangerous situations without ever being seriously injured. A scene where Tarzan is threatened with being thrown off a cliff may surprise the youngest viewers, but the tone remains that of physical comedy and no serious consequences are shown. The film contains no death, no real violence, and no prolonged tension.
Parental and Family Portrayals
The family question is at the heart of the film: Tarzan doubts his place within his adoptive gorilla family, and this feeling of being a burden to those he loves is treated with a certain gentleness. Family is represented as a space of belonging that one can leave through fear and rediscover through trust. This is a useful angle to explore with a child who is experiencing similar doubts about their place in their own group.
Strengths
The film honestly fulfils its function as entertainment for very young children: it is short, well-paced, and its emotional stakes are accessible without being simplistic. The relationship between Tarzan and Zugor works as a genuine mentor-apprentice duo, with credible development on both sides. The message about self-acceptance is embodied in the narrative rather than simply stated, which gives it somewhat more weight than a film of this format might be expected to carry. It is not a landmark work, but it is a well-constructed film for its target audience.
Age recommendation and discussion points
The film is suitable from age 5 or 6 without reservation. After viewing, two angles of discussion are worth pursuing: ask the child why Tarzan thinks he is a problem for his family, and whether he himself has ever felt different from others in a group. You can also explore together why Zugor chose to frighten others rather than show himself as he truly was, and what that cost him.
Synopsis
When one of his missteps puts his family in jeopardy, Tarzan decides they would be better off without him.
Where to watch
Availability checked on Apr 29, 2026
About this title
- Format
- Feature film
- Year
- 2005
- Runtime
- 1h 12m
- Countries
- United States of America
- Original language
- EN
- Directed by
- Brian Smith
- Main cast
- Harrison Chad, George Carlin, Brad Garrett, Ron Perlman, Estelle Harris, Glenn Close, Lance Henriksen, Brenda Grate, Connor Hutcherson, Harrison Fahn
- Studios
- DisneyToon Studios
Content barometer
- Violence1/5Mild
- Fear1/5Mild
- Sexuality0/5None
- Language0/5None
- Narrative complexity0/5Simple
- Adult themes0/5None
Values conveyed
- Courage
- Acceptance of difference
- Perseverance
- friendship
- family
- self acceptance