Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) Review:

Ever since Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) entered cinema history, there have been film after film of directors trying to replicate the same formula. Most of them have failed but there are a couple gems that stand out from the rest. As for this film, it comes off as an Indiana Jones movie but with the lead being female, with a British accent and is one of the most attractive actresses in Hollywood. Besides it being a financially successful PC game, this film was a financial success and even spawned a sequel in 2003.

Jolie was a great choice to play Croft

Starring as Lara Croft is Angelina Jolie. She really brings sexy back in this action film because of how she moves. The way she leaps, rolls, jumps are all very exhilarating to watch. Mostly these moves look so great because of her agility and flexibility as a woman. Also starring with her is British actor Daniel Craig. It's funny to see Jolie who's American, play a British character while Craig who's British, plays an American character. In my opinion, that's pretty impressive because if I were acting out that scene, I would get confused with who I was talking to and speak whatever accent felt more comfortable; but they do it like they were born in those countries.

Craig as the American.....how ironic

What makes this movie like Indiana Jones is not because of the title, Tomb Raider. No, it's the substance involved in this film. Right at the beginning of the film, Croft is already fighting off a menacing killer robot that's packing some serious arsenal. Same thing with Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981); no robots but still trying to avoid all kinds of dangerous devices such as impaling walls and rolling boulders. Lara Croft is just more modernized since Indiana Jones lived in the 1930s. Either way both are trying to find sacred artifacts that could change the fate of mankind. And to do this, they must hunt for these objects by entering ancient architecture. All this does is add spectacle and wonder to the film and it works really well no matter if it's 1981 or 2001.

Making things even spicier in this film is what Croft wears. Whatever she wears in a certain scene is appropriate and sexy at the same time. It's almost like she's setting a standard for a next generation of archaeologists. As for the musical score, I didn't really care for it. I couldn't really feel anything from it and felt that maybe a different composer could have been hired for the job. That and the fact that although this movie was good, I just never felt any love for it. It was entertaining but it wasn't like much of the characters were memorable besides Lara Croft. That part disappointed me. As for the rest of the film, I really liked it and feel it's worth watching for good entertainment.

Even though this movie doesn't have many characters to connect with, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider is a fun action adventure film. Jolie plays Croft really well and it was wise of director Simon West to keep her as the main lead, otherwise, this movie might have flunked.

Points Earned --> 9:10