No Going Ape Over This ‘Tarzan’

“The Legend of Tarzan,” a new animated series based on Disney’s hit movie (as well as the novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs), fails to capture the romance, adventure and humor that made the 1999 film such a stylish delight. In short, it just doesn’t swing.

Michael T. Weiss, best known as “The Pretender,” gives voice to the title character, who is as strong and heroic as ever. Tarzan, who sports brown dreadlocks and a muscular frame, lives in the dense jungles of Africa with his British sweetheart Jane (Olivia d’Abo) and her sometimes befuddled father Archimedes (Jeff Glen Bennett). Their closest friends are Tantor (Jim Cummings), an elephant that is easily frightened despite his immense size, and the brash, playful gorilla Terk (April Winchell).

Tarzan, of course, will do anything to protect his pals from evil outsiders who encroach upon their territory. In Tuesday’s episode, we meet Renard Dumont, an unscrupulous Frenchman whose trading post displaces rhinos from their herding area. In turn, those imposing rhinos move into the gorillas’ terrain, which comes as bad news for the primates near and dear to the heart of the agile ape man.

Friday’s episode centers on two shady con men who desert the Foreign Legion. Voiced by Joe Flaherty and Dave Thomas of “SCTV” fame, they look and sound like Bob Hope and Bing Crosby from their “Road” comedies of the 1940s and beyond. Unfortunately, they’re not nearly as funny.

Though these stories are uneventful, the animation is expressive and appealing. Though there’s not much here to hold the attention of adults, perhaps kids will find something they can enjoy. For example, girls may appreciate Jane’s sturdy backbone and independent spirit. She’s not afraid to express her opinion or take part in the action--or at least what passes for action.

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“The Legend of Tarzan” can be seen weekdays at 7:30 a.m. on UPN. The network has rated it TV-G (suitable for all ages).