The first live-action Tarzan movie to hit cinemas since Christopher Lambert played our boy in Greystoke, The Legend Of Tarzan has its moments but, overall, doesn't quite hit the mark.John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, has been retired from Tarzanning for the best part of a decade, living with wife Jane in a stately heap and attending the House Of Lords, when American busybody George Washington Williams (a real-life person, or so I read) persuades him to return in order to scope out improvements King Leopold of Belgium has made in the Congo. Meanwhile, baddie Leon Rom is seeking to obtain massive diamonds for nearly bankrupt Belgium from Opar: Chief Mbonga demands Tarzan be given to him as the price.I have read a number of Burroughs Tarzan novels, and I have probably seen the majority of the many, many Tarzan movies over the years, and I have always felt a little saddened that none of the screen versions has really captured the noble savage portrayed in the novels. Sadly, that shortcoming has not been addressed here.Like Greystoke (Hugh Hudson, 1984), it addresses Tarzan's origin, but it does so by intercutting it with the main narrative without any device to say "this is current, this is flashback", so you often aren't sure that you are actually watching a flashback until it's over.The story itself is simple, albeit there is arguably a bit too much of it (the Belgium connection adds an unnecessary political complication: "Ooh, I know, let's bring Belgium into the plot!" is an odd notion to get greenlit at a story conference), and its presentation is somewhat jumbled.Of the four principals, Alexander Skarsgard looks great but doesn't really sell Tarzan as a character, Christoph Waltz is Blofeld, Samuel L Jackson is completely 21st century, and Margot Robbie is a joyful, sexy, feisty Jane.The action is great, particularly the finale, but there is a great deal of dullness to sit through before we get to it.And, worst of all, much of the film is - as is the fashion - very dark, and all of it is presented - as is also the fashion - in washed out colours - the England scenes are all dark grey, the African scenes are either ochre (out on the veldt) or dark muddy khaki (in the jungle). 3D makes it even dimmer, to the extent that there are times when you actually can't see what's going on. Why cook up eye-boggling visuals, and then prevent your audience from seeing them?There are undoubtedly worthwhile elements here but, as a long-time Tarzan fan (Books, comics, movies, TV), I have to record disappointment at this film. It could have been a lot better.

1. Tarzan's 'brother' repeatedly punched him with full force as he was protecting Jane. It should have broken his spine. 2. Samuel L. Jackson jumping off the hill into the jungle and somehow surviving it. 3. Vines that go on forever. The trees must be extremely high. 4. Djimon Hounsou and his tribe took out everyone within seconds, but for unknown reasons chose Christoph Waltz to be the only survivor so they could make a deal. It's the white suit that sparked their curiosity, isn't it? 5. The most annoying of those nonsensical scenes: As Tarzan and Jackson saw those gorillas, he told Jackson he had to fight one, his bro, as if there was no other way but to fight. But after he lost the fight (to really no one's surprise), he told Jackson to bow down deeply so the gorilla would leave him alone. Jane did the same thing minutes later. Tarzan's an idiot to insist on fighting!

Tarzan has always been a LEGEND!!!!! And he will continue to be a legend. Following on the heels of the Jungle Book remake and throwing its release-date lot in with Spielberg's BFG, this revisit to an equally beloved childhood character is in good company when it comes to the more serious end of the family movie genre. While animated flicks and new creations can rely on slapstick setups, 'hilarious' side-kick characters, modern-song medleys and loud, loud, loud colours, movies like these tend to carefully present old favourites in a more subtle package. The Legend of Tarzan, at its best, does exactly this – presenting a Sunday matinée movie full of good acting, a simple story, and blended CGI…with a calmness that comes with not having your senses assaulted by lurid colour and noise. The Legend of Tarzan is a solid ode to a character that continues to draw the imagination of children and filmmakers alike. Overall a perfectly fine family movie that trundles along at an even pace, and offers an oasis of calm in the barrage of over-hyped kids' movies making the summer circuit. The CGI used in the film is unbelievable I mean at times I totally forgot that it was CGI (Computer Generated Imagery)it was well and truly used to its full potential in this film. Furthermore, the aesthetics of it were amazing, there were not any blinding scenes or dull scenes that made it difficult for the audience to watch. In addition, they really stepped up their game with this as it was a valiant film through and through. I have already seen the film three times and I would confidently recommend this to anyone. Follow me on Instagram: @gabewatling and Twitter: @gmwatling

Disappointed. The story was random, scattered. I waited, glassy-eyed, for something to develop in the plot to catch my interest, but instead, it moves on to another scene that goes nowhere. It's a shame really. I can tell that Skarsgaard and Waltz are excellent actors who could have showcased their talents with better material. I tried not to be bored, but failed at every attempt. It wasn't for lack of trying. I tried to enjoy the film, but the totality of the story was flat - no peaks, no valleys - a flat-line, though Skarsgaard and Waltz were excellent cast- mates. I can't fault them; however, Margot Robbie did not fit. First of all, she needs elocution lessons. I couldn't understand a word she said, though I could understand the ESL Swedish and German actors quite well. She must be an exponent of the Brando school. There was plenty of overt social justice politics in it to destroy the movie as well. I give it a four because it's hard for me to give a movie less than that and seem fair. If sleeping pills don't work for you, try this.