Tomb Raider: Review

Video game movies are commonly known as the worst film genre - with pretty much no success in the many years that span its inglorious existence. Time and again Hollywood have failed to deliver video game based pictures, including - but not limited to - Resident Evil, Hitman, Mortal Combat, Need for Speed, Warcraft and most recently the truly abysmal Assassins Creed. Time for a welcome and long overdue change. Following eighteen hugely successful games and two ultra-campy feature films Lara Croft returns to the silver screen in the form of Alicia Vikander, fifteen years after Angelina Jolie last wore the pony tail as the legendary Tomb Raider.

This 2018 outing demonstrates precisely how video game movies should be made. Starring a lead who fits the role better than the legendary pale blue tank top itself, Lara Croft is back with a new face and a new adventure to embark upon. Though there isn't exactly a gap in the market for video game movies to fill, Norwegian director Roar Uthaug proves that with craft and skill a good film can be created from even the most familiar source.

Uthaug establishes a new and exciting Croft universe that perfectly sets the stage for more thrilling adventures to come. Tomb Raider, whilst faithful to the original game series, promotes a grand cinematic caper that can be enjoyed by both hard core fans and average movie goers alike. It's one of the few films I've seen recently that is both well paced and consistently exciting. Right from the word go Tomb Raider ticks all the right boxes - not taking itself too seriously but most importantly having fun with the central character. 

Leaping across a rickety wartime plane wreck suspended hundreds of feet above a raging waterfall, Alicia Vikander offers a mighty, tour de force take on the iconic gun slinging, arrow shooting Lara Croft. Vikander's mesmerising - almost gymnastic - agility intensifies Tomb Raider's well constructed action sequences. Through the years it's fair to say the character has become notorious for her notably busty computer generated frame, followed by Angelina Jolie’s ever so noughties in the flesh portrayal. In contrast, here we see the much younger Alicia Virkanda who provides more empathy and compassion with a performance that strips away the questionably sexualised overtones that have objectified the character in the past. Vikander symbolises the strong, brave and determined characteristics that embody the action heroine, experiencing her struggles and failures which are just as compelling as her victories - for a first film at least

Just as much fun as playing the real thing, Tomb Raider must surely lead on to further video game movies success. Alicia Vikander is faithful to tradition yet fully modernises the character; a magnificent empowering female heroine for many young girls to look up to. Don't get me wrong, the story isn't anything revolutionary but with such dazzling visuals and fantastic action set pieces Tomb Raider is hopefully the herald of many Lara Croft adventures to come.

Tomb Raider: 

Good