Where to watch Tomb Raider
2 Stars
The freshly rebooted, Tomb Raider, is a much smaller and duller film than either of the two previous movies starring, Angelina Jolie. I didn’t realize just how significant Jolie’s imprint was on the Croft character, but her presence is missed and current star, Alicia Vikander, is underwhelming. Once again, we are given an origin story, and a rudimentary one, at that. And for a movie titled, Tomb Raider, it takes an awfully long time to get to the goods.
Lara Croft (Vikander) is a feisty, independent, heiress who refuses to accept her inheritance. That’s until seven years after her father’s disappearance and it’s time to proclaim him legally deceased. During the proceedings, Lara finds a clue that leads to a message from her long-absent father. He imparts on her the importance of following through with his research. This involves traveling through the Devil Sea and arriving on a thought-to-be deserted island that contains the tomb of a Japanese empress gone mad. This highly sought after resting place is guarded by fanatical members of ‘The Order of Trinity.’ Of whom, are led by,,
Alicia Vikander is one of the screen’s great beauties, and there is a titillation factor in seeing the perpetually sweat soaked star running about in a tank-top, but she is absolutely miscast in the role. I’m sure, Tomb Raider, was put into production with sequels and franchise opportunities in mind, but this is a lost project that will be remembered in the same embarrassing category as Halle Berry’s, Catwoman.
Director: Roar Uthaug
Stars: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton Goggins