Tomb Raider
2.5/4
Starring: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, Kristen Scott Thomas, Derek Jacobi
Rated PG-13 for Sequences of Violence and Action, and for Some Language
When it comes to video game treasure hunters, my vote will always go to the "Uncharted" franchise. They're some of the most beautifully made, action-packed video games out there, and more than enough reason to get a PlayStation 4 on their own. But this movie is about Lara Croft, not Nathan Drake. And while the British beauty has her charms, they aren't enough to elevate this movie above mediocrity.
Lara Croft (Vikander) is a wealthy heiress to a fortune probably worth billions. Unfortunately, she can't access any of it. Her father Richard (West) has been missing for seven years, and she steadfastly refuses to declare him dead. Stuck in financial limbo has left her destitute, so she reluctantly signs the forms at the behest of her guardian, Ana Miller (Thomas) and financial advisor, Mr. Yaffe (Jacobi). However, before she signs the document, she is handed a puzzle by Mr. Yaffe that her father left her. In it is a clue that leads to some extracurricular activities that may explain what happened to him. So with the help of a drunken sailor named Lu Ren (Wu), she sets out to find him.
This "Tomb Raider" takes its inspiration from the 2013 reboot of the franchise, although this is not a strict retelling (a wise move). Rather, it's a jumping off point. And unlike the campy, 2001 iteration with Angelina Jolie, this is a darker, grittier version like the game. Alas, it's rated PG-13, which limits the sense of danger and brutality that gave the game its punch.
Alicia Vikander makes for a fine Lara Croft, but the script lets her down. She is gorgeous and does what she can, but there's no question that the role is beneath her. And for a heroine that is prized for her intelligence, this Lara does some amazingly stupid things. Dominic West is quite good as her father; he hasn't played someone so loving since...well, ever. Veteran creep Walton Goggins is phoning it in as the bad guy, and the only thing worth noting about Daniel Wu is his impressive physique. Distinguished actors Kristen Scott Thomas and Derek Jacobi are on hand for a few scenes as well, but they're strictly there for the paycheck.
The real hook for the film, other than the brand recognition, is the action scenes. Unfortunately, they're just not done very well. Director Roar Uthaug, who had something of a minor hit three years ago with "The Wave" (unseen by me), doesn't stage them very well and cuts and shakes the camera. There's too little suspense, too little excitement, too little fun. And the obligatory one-liners are delivered in such a ham-fisted way that they feel forced rather than clever.
"Tomb Raider" is for action junkies and no one else. And only when it's streaming on Netflix.
Starring: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, Kristen Scott Thomas, Derek Jacobi
Rated PG-13 for Sequences of Violence and Action, and for Some Language
When it comes to video game treasure hunters, my vote will always go to the "Uncharted" franchise. They're some of the most beautifully made, action-packed video games out there, and more than enough reason to get a PlayStation 4 on their own. But this movie is about Lara Croft, not Nathan Drake. And while the British beauty has her charms, they aren't enough to elevate this movie above mediocrity.
Lara Croft (Vikander) is a wealthy heiress to a fortune probably worth billions. Unfortunately, she can't access any of it. Her father Richard (West) has been missing for seven years, and she steadfastly refuses to declare him dead. Stuck in financial limbo has left her destitute, so she reluctantly signs the forms at the behest of her guardian, Ana Miller (Thomas) and financial advisor, Mr. Yaffe (Jacobi). However, before she signs the document, she is handed a puzzle by Mr. Yaffe that her father left her. In it is a clue that leads to some extracurricular activities that may explain what happened to him. So with the help of a drunken sailor named Lu Ren (Wu), she sets out to find him.
This "Tomb Raider" takes its inspiration from the 2013 reboot of the franchise, although this is not a strict retelling (a wise move). Rather, it's a jumping off point. And unlike the campy, 2001 iteration with Angelina Jolie, this is a darker, grittier version like the game. Alas, it's rated PG-13, which limits the sense of danger and brutality that gave the game its punch.
Alicia Vikander makes for a fine Lara Croft, but the script lets her down. She is gorgeous and does what she can, but there's no question that the role is beneath her. And for a heroine that is prized for her intelligence, this Lara does some amazingly stupid things. Dominic West is quite good as her father; he hasn't played someone so loving since...well, ever. Veteran creep Walton Goggins is phoning it in as the bad guy, and the only thing worth noting about Daniel Wu is his impressive physique. Distinguished actors Kristen Scott Thomas and Derek Jacobi are on hand for a few scenes as well, but they're strictly there for the paycheck.
The real hook for the film, other than the brand recognition, is the action scenes. Unfortunately, they're just not done very well. Director Roar Uthaug, who had something of a minor hit three years ago with "The Wave" (unseen by me), doesn't stage them very well and cuts and shakes the camera. There's too little suspense, too little excitement, too little fun. And the obligatory one-liners are delivered in such a ham-fisted way that they feel forced rather than clever.
"Tomb Raider" is for action junkies and no one else. And only when it's streaming on Netflix.
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