To busy working for a Respectable Financial Institution to do much of anything here anymore I'm afra...
To busy working for a Respectable Financial Institution to do much of anything here anymore I'm afraid.
Member since:16.07.2000
Reviews:292
Members who trust:87
I’d heard a lot about how bad this film was, so when a few my friends asked me to go along I grabbed the chance. Hey, if it’s good it gives me something to disagree with everyone else about. However, despite going to Star City in Birmingham do go and see it I still didn’t enjoy the film much. So looks like I have to join the club and give this film a thumbs down. As I do with most films based on computer games, even strangely popular ones like Tomb Raider (No I don’t like it, not even the first one when it was new and original).
* Plot Synopsis *
Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie) discovers a clock in a hidden room in her English mansion, by smashing down a wall. She then discovers another clock inside the previous clock, by smashing up the previous clock. Subtle girl eh? Anyway, this clock turns out to be a key which will allow the owner to gain access to half a magic triangle. If the triangle is put together it will give the owner the power to control time, although the how what and why is never explained. And that’s… about it, oh yeah – one more bit, Richard Croft (Jon Voight – Jolie’s dad) plays Lara’s father who is missing, presumed dead and has a bit of murky past.
* The Acting *
Is pretty bad really. Jolie alternates between talking in a flat voice and pouting in sunglasses/a fast car/a motorbike. Chris Barrie plays the butler but because of all his comedy roles in the past, you just can’t take him seriously in this role – especially as he plays it like Rimmer from Red Dwarf. Leslie Philips plays a clock expert who has a small part but is only decent at first. His melodramatic bit just falls flat. The bad guys are so menacing you feel you should give them tips on intimidating people. They had a few good cast members here but they magnificently failed to take advantage of them.
* The Jolie’s, The Stunts and The Effects *
Within a few minutes of the film the inevitable happens and Angelina gets her Jolie’s out in the first shower scene and doesn’t leave to much to your imagination, although page 3 is more graphic. The stunts are pretty good, Angelina does her share of them and some computer trickery is used to good effect in both subtle and none subtle ways. However, it’s nothing new and while that doesn’t have to be a problem, in a film this weak it doesn’t help that the good bits are just reworkings of other films.
* Summing Up *
Was I surprised this film was bad? No, the only good films with computer game connections are Tron and Mortal Kombat although I did wonder if perhaps Hollywood had learnt from it’s mistakes. But no, they haven’t – the film is mainly filler around a few good action scenes (More were apparently cut out for UK audiences, thanks for that). Ultimately it’s an unmemorable film, perhaps watch it on TV but I wouldn’t even recommend you rent this, let alone go see it.
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
I agree with your op, but to be honest, I would see it again. Neill.
gennymutant 10.07.2001 20:56
Um... just to clarify, I did actually say in my op that I thought the Indiana Jones trilogy was far better! I guess I was just expecting to hate this film, which is why I was pleasantly surprised to find I even stayed awake let alone enjoyed it a bit. Thanks for the comment though, and a good op. - Dione [ps. I am enjoying the 'grope' thank you, though the main consequence is my work is suffering even more... :}. Hope to see you round!]
eca99ajm 10.07.2001 20:46
So you went to Star City then?! What did you think? Should I be expecting an op soon?!?! Anna
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: 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 10th, 2001
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