Directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man; Cowboys & Aliens; Elf) and starring Scarlett Johansson (Girl with a Pearl Earring; Lost in Translation; Avengers Assemble; Captain America: The Winter Soldier; The Prestige; Her), Idris Elba (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom; Pacific Rim; Thor; Avengers: Age of Ultron), Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave; Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens; Non-Stop), Bill Murray (Lost in Translation; Hyde Park on Hudson; Ghost Busters; Groundhog Day), Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter; Catch Me If You Can; Pulp Fiction; Jersey Boys).

Family adventure, 105 mins, 6+, in English

The first film by Disney on stories about Mogli by Rudyard Kipling hit the screens way back in 1967; cinema-goers have had to wait for almost 50 years for a remake. But it's not a remake - the original was simple animation with catchy song numbers, but this new one is completely different, using live-action/CGI and motion capture technology.

The plot is similar, in that Mogli (Neel Sethi) sets out on a journey of self-discovery through the jungle. The ferocious tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba) is on the prowl and is searching for Mogli. The animals are afraid of man and their "red flower" (fire). Mogli had been abandoned in the jungle as a baby. Bagheera (Ben Kingsley) had looked after him and given him to Akela (Giancarlo Esposito) and the wolf pack to raise. Bagheera, and later the bear Baloo (Bill Murray - in surely his finest performance to date!), aim to lead Mogli out of the jungle to the "man village". Along the way they encounter a huge array of animals, including the herd of elephants, the orang-utan King Louie (Christopher Walken), the snake Ka (Scarlett Johansson) and many, many more - some of which can talk and some of which are friendly.

While there are a couple of songs in this film - most notably "Bear Necessities" and "King of the Jungle", this is not a musical, far from it. What it is is an incredible illustration of what CGI can achieve nowadays as basically the only thing that was real was Neel Sethi as Mogli. The film-makers and actors' voices ensure the characters convey emotions, from love and fear to laughter, through the film.

Whether you have ever seen the original animated film or not, this is a must-see for people of all ages. Thank you, Disney!