The new face of Lara

The film features Jolie as the movie version of video game cult heroine Lara Croft who travels the world in search of lost tombs and long-forgotten empires.

Croft is a high-kicking, all-action character, which Jolie thoroughly enjoyed playing.

"It was great, it's like being a kid again, I think we should all start doing cartwheels a little more," said the actress.

Jolie insisted on doing her stunts herself.

The video version of Lara Croft

Scottish actor Glenn, best known for appearing opposite Nicole Kidman in a highly rated stage performance of The Blue Room in London, was not allowed to do his stunts.

Praise

Jolie won an Oscar for her portrayal of a patient in a mental hospital in Girl, Interrupted.

She has also won praise for her parts in the Bone Collector with Denzel Washington and Gone in Sixty Seconds with Nicolas Cage.

Furtado who sings on the movie's sountrack and is a video game fan thought Jolie was the perfect choice for the modern-day heroine.

"Angelina Jolie is a symbol of femininity and independence and sexiness and power," said Furtado.

Canadian singer Nellie Furtado is a video game fan

"She brings that meaning to the movie I think."

Lara Croft is a quintessentially British character and following in the footsteps of fellow-American Renee Zellweger playing the very British Bridget Jones, Jolie was conscious that she had to get the part just right.

"There was a lot of responsibility to England because she is Lady Lara Croft and she is British and she's their girl in many ways," said Jolie.

"I took it very seriously."

Jolie's father, Midnight Cowboy star Jon Voight, plays the role of her on-screen father in the film, something that really pleased her.

"I think all those things we said to each other in the film were things that we've always said to each other maybe but never really had a moment in time to hear."