It’s hard to escape commercialism in films these days. There can be a variety of subtle and not-so-subtle product placements squeezed into a 90minute film. Tomb Raider does this but, then again, its hard not to notice. Not only do we have the usual TV-Spot adverts but also the adverts for Land Rover and Ericsson booted on TV as well all promoting the fact they starred in Tomb Raider. Indeed before the film starts Ericsson proudly say that Lara Croft uses their little device, the ironic thing is though that her phone breaks during the film, and she only uses the Land Rover for a few minutes before embarking on foot. This film does indeed have product placement and while not discreet it is not afraid to take the micky out of them.
However I digress. You want to know about the film not about all the products it promotes. In case you don’t know (but really you should) Lara Croft is a fictional character developed by British game designers Core, she has starred in her own series of games, all best selling. It is not surprising, then, that she should get her own movie. It is also not surprising that this is a 12 certificate, this is to ensure the target audience can get into the film, the BBFC did ensure that quite a few cuts were made. However despite the character being a pin-up for many-a 13 year old boys bedroom, more predictably, or disturbingly, there were quite a few older, middle aged men in the audience and it didn’t look as if they were taking their kids.
Why? Well it’s the perfect casting of Lara. Angelina Jolie looks acts and sounds the part (even though her accent can be a bit dodgy at times). Looking at the posters and stills of the movie you know it had to be her and seeing her in action reinforces that theory. Then there are her breasts which have to, obviously, be mentioned as a side note to all
you leery people out there, but be warned this is a 12cert so you wont see a great deal. On a side note, and this is true, her breasts change 3 sizes during the movie, no really, and I did actually see them change 2 times, I’ll have to go again to see if I can spot all three.
The story begins pace after a sequence, which pits Lara against a mean looking robot, out to kill her, in an eerily lit tomb. Narrowly avoiding the scrape we find out it really is just her little training room and the robot is called Charlie. How nice. Lara lives alone in an 83-bedroom house. With the obligatory tech-geek Bryce (Noah Taylor) and butler Hilary (Chris Barrie). The plot is as follows. There is a mystical clock called ‘The Clock of Ages’ (can you smell the cheese) which gives its possessor the power to control time. To be able to use it two pieces of an ancient triangle need to be fitted together. There are three people who want these two pieces. The Illuminati, the constantly rumoured secret society, who want to carry out ‘what has been predicted blah blah’. Then there is Manfred Powell (Iain Glen) who is in it for himself and will double stab Illuminati a little later. And not forgetting Lara herself. Critics have been annoyed at the lack of reason why Lara would want to have it. Well I am not so sure. For one reason we learn in the film her father, a great explorer like her, would like her to have it and then break the triangle so it would not be used for evil. Another is that she really doesn’t need a reason. Look at all the games. Was there any real reason why she ran around, always getting shot at to nab an ancient artifact? No. She does it because she likes it and gets a rush from living on the edge. Along the way she also meets fellow Tomb Raider and possibly-hinted at former lover Daniel Craig, who is in it for the money.
To get hold of these two triangles they have to go to opposite ends of the earth. Lara must journey from Venice to Cambodia to Siberia, meeting some nice and not so nice people. The action really doesn’t pick up until 30minutes into the film then the final 30mintues are a real let down (more on that later) in between though the action pieces are impressive, albeit familiar if you’ve seen Indiana Jones or James Bond. And, obviously, some action scenes are over the top but that’s how we like it. Also while I doubt anyone could survive a break in of around 50 armed sniper men whilst only armed with a knife Lara thrives on it. Even if it means making a mess of her nice house.
Jolie did most of her own stunts and looks like she enjoyed it. She runs kicks ass and shoots in tremendous fashion. Yet her character is (I wont say flat, even though its dying to be said) but a bit one dimensional, in a way. This is, however, true to most action films and Tomb Raider isn’t going to require any deep thought. However I say ‘in a way’ because she is of two halves. One a calm, collected fighter. Another a girl that misses her Dad. Both have good and bad points.
The calm, collected fighter Lara is the one we see most of in the movie. She loves the thrill of fighting and she is good at it. She doesn’t mind danger, getting hurt or nearly getting killed. Yet this is taken too far sometimes. For when she really is in real, real danger she hardly flinches, it’s as if she knows she is a computer game character and has infinite lives. You don’t feel as though, at any time in the film, she might actually die (apart from knowing there is going to be a sequel anyway).
The girl that misses her Dad is a direct paradox of the other half of Lara. Yet it serves the purpose as to show that Lara does actually have some emotion and feelings towards people. Yet it doesn’t seem to fit her pining after her father. Also where is the mother in this? It is all well and good mourning her father but we have no idea if her mother is living or dead or if Lara really cares.
The girl that misses her Dad element does really start Lara on her adventure and also (nearly) ends it, where there is the predicable ‘Hi Dad! I’m here!’ meeting. This does seem out of place and really breaks up the action. While it is there to tug on the heart strings the audience really wont care and will only serve to escalate the whiff of cheese pouring from the screen. However it is back to action again in the ‘climatic ending’ which has the key final battle and collapsing temple!
While the plot may not be special the sets are. Whether it be Lara’s home to the ancient temple they all look gorgeous. The sets are massive, full of detail and atmospheric. A real asset to the film because good sets can make it seem that bit more real.
The acting is a mixed bunch. As said before Jolie does a superb job at Lara. Her arch nemesis (Iain Glen) fairs less well. Probably the fault of acting as a one-dimensional character but he seems too stereotypic of the back stabbing villain, oozing sleaziness in a posh accent. It doesn’t bode well. Also his dialogue is laughable. Daniel Craig actually does a good job, and hopefully his role will be extended in the sequel. He provides the sexual tension for the movie between himself and Lara and, rather ironically, gets more of a sexual part to play in the obligatory shower scene funnily enough. Also a mention has to go to Chris Barrie who provides some chuckles as the fussy butler, if only to here him say ‘holy s**t’, coming from him is so out of place, as is seeing him holding a double barrel shotgun.
This isn’t and never was going to be high art. This isn’t going to be a movie famed for its plot, or script finesse. However this film does what it is supposed to, give you action, eye candy and titillation for all lustful persons in the audience. Indeed I am pleased to say it fairs better than its nearest rival The Mummy Returns, that’s not saying much, but hey ho.
A rating? Well for the hammy acting and woeful plot and ending I should give it 3. Yet for the brilliant Jolie, nice action pieces and generally good at what it is supposed to be a 4. Hmm, 3.5 it is then.
TOMB RAIDER IS
A female style Indiana Jones Full of cliches Perfect for Jolie
TOMB RAIDER IS NOT
That complex Easy on the cheese The last Tomb Raider film we will see either
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2004 - Action/Adventure - Director: Jon Turteltaub - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, Jon Voight, Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Angelina Jolie is the first and best reason to watchLara Croft Tomb Raider. She gives an ... more
extraordinarily committed, physically demanding performance, taking on the mantle of the video game heroine with real conviction and energy, and becoming the embod...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Angelina Jolie is the first and best reason to watchLara Croft Tomb Raider. She gives an ... more
extraordinarily committed, physically demanding performance, taking on the mantle of the video game heroine with real conviction and energy, and becoming the embod...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Lara Croft, the world's most famous video-game heroine, bursts onto the big screen in .. ... more
the most stylish and entertaining action-adventure movie in years!Exploring lost empires, finding priceless treasures, punishing villains in mortal combat.. it's a...
Advantages: Angelina Jolie, Angelina Jolie, Angelina Jolie. Oh, and some excellent action sequencies Disadvantages: No underwater swimming scenes, like in the game
Advantages: Lara with true flesh. Don't have to "finish the game" to see how the story ends. Disadvantages: Lara's already existing biography has not been kept!
Advantages: Angelina Jolie, Angelina Jolie, Angelina Jolie. Oh, and some excellent action sequencies Disadvantages: No underwater swimming scenes, like in the game
![Lara Croft Tomb Raider -- Special Collector's Edition [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78528045.jpg "Lara Croft Tomb Raider -- Special Collector's Edition [DVD] [2001]")
Jul 9th, 2001
very helpful by (98%):
helpful by (2%):
