The excessive use of computer-generated images (CGI) in filmmaking is a very risky move. In some cases, such as the Star Wars prequel trilogy, it can be a disaster, leading to a disconnect between the actors and the imaginary world they inhabit. Other times, like with Avatar, the effects can wow people upon initial release, but later become dated and unrealistic. Films such as Gravity and Life of Pi have just begun to show that the creation of entirely digital worlds doesn’t always have to be a catastrophe. Thankfully, Jon Favreau’s live action Jungle Book remake further pushes the capabilities of CGI to extraordinary new heights.

Sticking closely to the 1967 Disney animated classic, The Jungle Book follows Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a young child raised by a pack of wolves in a fantastical jungle where animals talk like humans. A figure of controversy in the animal community, Mowgli attracts the attention of ferocious tiger, Shere Khan (Idris Elba), who wants nothing more than to see the “man-cub” killed. What follows is a series of joyous and exciting adventures as Mowgli is escorted to safety by Bagheera (Ben Kingsley), a black panther, and Baloo (Bill Murray), a bear.

From its opening shot, The Jungle Book wows with its photorealistic environments and creatures. Digital visual effects companies MPC and Weta Digital are almost entirely successful at crafting an completely computer-generated world (the only exception being Sethi’s Mowgli) and being consistently believable. There are brief moments of disconnect between Mowgli and the CGI, but they are few and far between. Overall, The Jungle Book is a triumph at everything from highly expressive animals with lifelike animations to incredible scenery and believable artificial lighting.

Luckily, the film succeeds at being more than just visually stunning. The Jungle Book sports an expansive and impressive ensemble that also includes the likes of Christopher Walken, Scarlett Johansson and Lupita Nyong’o. It’s uniformly excellent, with Bill Murray being an absolutely perfect casting choice as Baloo, and Idris Elba turning in a superbly villainous performance. Even without the animation, each voice actor properly fleshes out their character on their own—a testament to the often underappreciated form of acting. The only mildly weak link is Neel Sethi, who is more than adequate in his first role, but is occasionally cast in the shadow of the more experienced supporting cast.

The only other real flaws in The Jungle Book come from the simplicity of the story. It’s nothing more than a series of entertaining conflicts, and it lacks a clear and meaningful overall goal. Additionally, the inclusion of two musical numbers feels slightly out of place. While clearly meant to be throwbacks to the animated musical, in this version they come across as jarring, albeit still wonderfully enjoyable, additions.

Masterfully animated, sharply directed, and impeccably voice acted, Disney’s live-action remake is a visual effects benchmark and a wildly fun ride. Only time will tell if the CGI will hold up, but The Jungle Book is the rare remake that surpasses the original in ambition and outcome, and is sure to appeal to fans of all genres.