I didn't hold much hope for this film. I thought, being heavy on CGI, Blue & Green Screen and Motion Capture technology, it would be lacking in any sense of reality. Also, the PG certificate made me think it would be a heavily sanitised sickly sweet fairy story.

Thank God I couldn't be more wrong. This film is beautiful throughout & has the imagery of a Rousseau painting. Outstanding performances by Sir Ben Kingsley as Bagheera, Lupita Nyong'o as Raksha, Scarlett Johansson as Ra; but the biggest shout outs must go to the laugh out loud Bill Murray as Baloo & Christopher Walken as King Louie.

There is plenty there for an adult audience. Very young children may not understand the strong messages within this film - the importance of family, of being true to yourself, never giving up etc., but for me - i defy the hardest of hearts not to shed a tear when she-wolf Raksha gives her farewell speech to Mowgli.

You can definately see where Allers & Minkoff (The Lion King) got their material from - the buffalo stampete, the Shere Kahn final set piece - but what a fantastic book to borrow from.

Don't let the fact that this is a family friendly film put you off from seeing it, because despite it's PG rating, some of the fight scenes are extremely brutal and it certainly has darkness about it. Idris Elba as Shere Kahn effortlessly steals every scene he is in.

Overall, a feel good film that will leave you appreciating your family just that little bit more, making you realise how important those that you love in your life, really are & how any ONE of us can be taken at any given minute - so make sure you know that you're loved & more importantly that THEY know YOU love THEM.