SINCE first appearing in 1912, Edgar Rice Burroughs' fictional apeman has swung into the affections of successive generations thanks to re-imaginings on the small and big screens.

Now it falls to German film-maker Reinhard Klooss to put a distinctly modern spin on Burroughs' source text in a colourful animation which isn't just a cutesy caper for children.

John Greystoke (voiced by Mark Deklin) ventures deep into the jungle with his wife Alice (Jaime Ray Newman) and their young son to search for the impact site of an ancient meteorite rumoured to possess immense power.

By chance, as the Greystokes leave the jungle in their helicopter they stumble upon the meteorite, but magnetic interference propels the craft into the mountainside, killing everyone on board except the young Greystoke heir.

The child is rescued and raised by apes, and re-christened Tarzan.

As an adult, Tarzan encounters humans once again when beautiful environmentalist Jane Porter arrives in the jungle with William Clayton, the Machiavellian new CEO of Greystoke Energies.

Lutz beats his chest on cue to deliver his hero's iconic cry, 'Me Tarzan, you Jane'.