TOMB RAIDER REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Because I hadn't played the 1996 video game, Tomb Raider, nor the two films starring Angelina Jolie that were based on the game and released in 2001 and 2003, I didn't know what to expect from this latest take starring Alicia Vikander as the titular protagonist. While the video game proved to be a success, the feature film adaptations weren't best received. It was mainly because of the negative reception surrounding the films that I wasn't expecting much from Roar Uthaug's take. So far, it's received mixed reviews from critics, however, does this mean that Tomb Raider is a game that simply shouldn't be adapted into feature films? 

Lara Croft (Vikander) is the fiercely independent daughter of an eccentric adventurer, Richard Croft (Dominic West), who vanished when she was scarcely a teen. Now a young woman of 21 without any real focus or purpose, Lara navigates the chaotic streets of trendy East London as a bike courier, barely making the rent, and takes college courses, rarely making it to class. Determined to forge her own path, she refuses to take the reins of her father's global empire just as staunchly as she rejects the idea that he's truly gone. Advised to face the facts and move forward after seven years without him, even Lara can't understand what drives her to finally solve the puzzle of his mysterious death. Going explicitly against his final wishes, she leaves everything she knows behind in search of her dad's last-known destination: a fabled tomb on a mythical island that might be somewhere off the coast of Japan. But her mission will not be an easy one; just reaching the island will be extremely treacherous. Suddenly, the stakes couldn't be higher for Lara, who - against the odds and armed with only her sharp mind, blind faith and inherently stubborn spirit - must learn to push herself beyond her limits as she journeys into the unknown. If she survives this perilous adventure, it could be the making of her, earning her the name tomb raider.

Despite my expectations for Tomb Raider being low, I was pleasantly surprised. It's not perfect in any way but it's entertaining and probably one of the better feature adaptations of a video game. Now, because I haven't played the game that this is based on nor the earlier films, I won't be comparing Tomb Raider to them. The film mainly succeeds because of Vikander's performance as Lara Croft. She doesn't try to imitate Jolie and, therefore, she makes the performance her own and captures Croft's determination and bravery. Other actresses including Emilia Clarke, Daisy Ridley, Saoirse Ronan and Cara Delevigne were considered for the role of Croft before Vikander was cast. While the aforementioned actresses are talented, I doubt they would've been as good as Vikander. The entirety of Tomb Raider is worth watching just for her leading performance. Solid supporting roles come from West, as her father, Walton Goggins as the main antagonist Mathias Vogel who wants to enter the tomb and steal whatever is inside and Daniel Wu as Lu Ren who is Lara's friend and helps her.

I've seen a lot of criticism towards Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and its 'senseless plot' and action sequences with 'no emotional impact'. Judging from those comments, I think that Tomb Raider has improved as the story is told in a compelling way and the action sequences are very intense. After arriving on a deserted island, Croft faces her toughest challenges yet, including the man who killed her father, Vogel. For seven years, he has struggled to get inside the tomb, but now, with the help of Croft, he believes he has found a way in. Of course, Croft refuses to work for him and manages to escape. The majority of the conflict comes from Croft's refusal to work for Vogel, however, after making a shocking discovery, she is forced to help him, despite her late father's pleas not to open the tomb, as he is believes there is a disease that could spread to the entire world. 

The second half of Tomb Raider is a lot better than the first as it features a lot more action and intensity while the beginning focused on setting it all up. I do think that the opening could've been cut shorter to save time. The first scene shows Croft in a boxing match and we see that she isn't as strong and is struggling with money, despite having a job. However, this doesn't stop her from having fun with her friends and racing on her bike through the streets of London. All of this serves as an introductory to Lara to those who aren't familiar with her or her background. Through flashbacks, we learn that Croft's father left her when she was a child and has been gone for seven years, however, she still believes he's alive and sets out to find out what really happened to him.

Tomb Raider is at its best when it's set inside the titular tomb as there are all sort of traps and obstacle courses that add to the intensity of the film. This doesn't stop Croft, though, as she is able to use her bravery and intelligence to overcome them. This makes her a likable lead character as, despite her initial struggles, she doesn't give up and develops into a true heroine. 

The plot follows that of the 2013 video game, Tomb Raider, and I doubt that fans will be disappointed with this adaptation. Despite a few changes, the writers have remained faithful to its source material. I also think that those who haven't played the game will find something to enjoy. It's not the best film to have been released but it's not that bad of a film. I wasn't expecting it to enjoy it as much as I did and it's hard to say whether there'll be a sequel but I'll definitely watch it if there is one. 

Overall, Tomb Raider features a strong performance from Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft and is worth watching for her performance and the action sequences.

7/10