Perhaps to distance himself from Lara Croft's video game origins, director Simon West takes things a bit too seriously; Tomb Raider handles its plot (involving a planetary alignment, the nefarious Illuminati, and coveted relics that hold the key to controlling the flow of time) with all the gravity of a championship chess match... minus the tension. If the movie had lightened up and been truly suspenseful (instead of being suffused with been-there, done-that familiarity), it would have been an instant popcorn classic. As it is, however, this is an elegantly mounted adventure featuring exotic locations (in Cambodia and Iceland) and an exotic star born for her role. Even without her padded bra, Jolie would be the living embodiment of Lara Croft, and that's enough to bode well for inevitable sequels. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description
Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 08/23/2006 Rating: Pg13

Within the clock is yet another, this one the key to unlock the two pieces of the Pyramid of Light. And the holder of the Pyramid can warp time. Lara can return to her father and discover the cause of his disappearance. Or the Illuminati can take over the world. To prevent this Lara must outwit and outmuscle Powell (Iain Glen) the conspiracies agent. And keep her old friend Alex West (Daniel Craig) from selling her out.

Based on the computer game series by Eidos Interactive, Jolie's Lara is smart, sexy, and tough as nails. The actress spent three months in hard physical training for the part and performed many of her own stunts. Of course, this isn't the kind of film where great acting is to be expected. But all the characters, from Lara's eccentric assistant Bryce (Noah Taylor) right through to the star herself turn in solid, professional performances. If the dialog isn't brilliant, at least it isn't stupid. Of course, the real stars of the film aren't the humans but the technical teams.

I hardly thought that, when I first read Shea and Wilson's 'Illuminatus Trilogy' some thirty years ago, that I would find myself watching astonishing adventures of at heroine of a computer game in a race against time to save the world. Completely new technologies would have to come into being before this was possible. Back then, the closest thing to a real time game was an anemic version of Star Trek, and the only adventure game had you chasing (very slowly) through a few dozen 'twisty little passages.' Taken from that viewpoint, the spectacular visuals of 'Tomb Raider' are a testimonial to the state of animation and special effects.

The film is meant to be fun, and a recreation in 'reality' of a computer game world, and does that perfectly. Lara, as a woman, succeeds in a world where we once thought only men had a place. Even so, almost every other actor in the film is male, the next longest female role being the bit part of a Cambodian girl (Ayla Amiral), who points out the entrance to one of the lost tombs. Angelina is literally 'without competition.' Even with a new Lara Croft film in the offing, this one will be tough to beat.

The requisite extras are provided on the DVD. Features on visual effects, Angelina Jolie, the computer game, Angelina Jolie, the director's commentary, and (of course) Angelina Jolie.


Lara Croft Tomb Raider - A great action flick!   June 18, 2003
 15 out of 21 found this review helpful

Oddly enough, if I were writing reviews when I first went and saw this film at the theater when it was first released, I probably would've given it only a three or four star review and slightly panned it, especially since the producers felt it necessary to "overly endow" Angelina Jolie. There are times in the movie where one might get the impression she may get "knocked" out.

Not unlike other films though, this one kind of grows on you and can be appreciated for what it is, a great action film couched a reasonably well thought out plot. One of the most important aspects to the success or lack thereof in this film was the leading role of Lara Croft. The decision to cast the ever beautiful Angelina Jolie was right on target. I can honestly say that I don't think I've ever watched any of her previous movies, but I can say that she performs quite exceptionally in the role of the female "Indiana Jones/James Bond" type superhero. The fact that she spent several months preparing for this film and performed the majority of the stunts makes this movie that much more appreciable, especially considering the effort she put into it. Her reactions, facial movements and overall style of acting certainly adds a good "flavor" to the movie as well.

Of particular note is the style in which this film was produced. Given that it is based on a video game and previous efforts to project video games onto the silver screen have come off as "campy" and lame, the producers made an outstanding decision to put this film in a "serious" light, with a mostly workable plot. Given that I've only had a passing familiarity with the video games themselves, I don't really wish to comment on that particular aspect.

Of the many great action films I've watched over the years, I'd rate this one pretty high as it definitely exceeds expectations and leaves you wishing for more, which brings to mind the pending release of the second Tomb Raider movie. Hopefully this movie will stand up to or exceed the popularity of this first Tomb Raider film!

The premise:

Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, Tomb Raider performs exceptionally well; from A to Z she immersed herself in this role, including an extremely believable British accent. The film begins with a great main title and opening sequence where Lara Croft if "battling" Simon, a machine that is well bent towards killing her. This of course, is but the first of many outstanding action sequences for the Tomb Raider.

From there we're brought into the real plot which is Lara Croft, prompted by dreams and letters from the grave starts to piece together clues about her missing and presumed dead, father. This brings her into the hunt for an ancient and powerful device while at the same time dealing with another person who is seeking this device for not so altruistic purposes.

I highly recommend this film to any and all that are fans of great action sequences/films that "actually" contain a reasonably decent plot. {ssintrepid}

Special Features:

This one is definitely full of some great Special Features that are definitely worth the time to explore.

Digging Into Tomb Raider
Crafting Lara Croft
The Stunts of Tomb Raider
Visual Effects of Tomb Raider
Are you Game?
Commentary by Director Simon West
4 Deleted Scenes
Alternate Main Title Sequences
U2 Music Video, "Elevation" Tomb Raider Mix

DVD-ROM Features
Tomb Raider Timeline
Tomb Raider Chronicles Game Demo
Web Site Archive

Access To the Online Experience


Lara Croft Looks Great In Blu-Ray!   December 1, 2006
 12 out of 18 found this review helpful

I owned the standard Definition version of this, so I was really psyched to see the High Def version! After viewing this in Blu-Ray, I gave my old version away to a family member who hasn't made the leap yet to HD Video!
I won't go into the movie plot, you can read the synopsis in this ad if you want that, instead, I will say the Blu-Ray transfer is great, not the best I've seen in Blu-Ray, but pretty darn good! Sharp scenes! Vibrant colors, and a film-like quality that sucks you right in! If you made the smart move to Blu-Ray already, then be even smarter and add this terrific action flick to your library!


Strangely sterile, a troubling nightmare of forsaken femininity.   April 21, 2006
 11 out of 25 found this review helpful

This is a movie that got universally bad reviews. It helped knowing that going in because my expectations were very low. Being a fan of Angelina Jolie, I was not disappointed in her performance. Despite a thin plot and cheesy effects, Angelina delivered her lines with class and finesse. Unfortunately even her talent cannot overide an overall lack of plot and unbelievable situations. The film grew tiresome very quickly.

On a Jungian level this film portrays a strange sterility. The first scene is Lara upside down, in the middle of a training exercise set by her computer nerd flunkie and her all-purpose butler. This opening segment defined the problem for the film--someone who is not grounded and unconscious. Lara raids tombs and fights bad guys to no real purpose--except perhaps to pit her skills against someone else. This cycle repeats endlessly, as do video games, which create a feeling of accomplishment where there is none, sterile endeavors with no learning and no personal or interpersonal gain. The individual does not develop--just the skills. Lara steals the ancient wealth of civilizations from tombs, co-opting heritage and treasure for the love of the game. This disregard for cultural artifacts except as an exercise is indicative of lack of depth and insight.

In one moment in the movie, there is a clear symbol of the futility of this lifestyle--Lara puts everything aside to retrieve a memento of her dead father. But then she reverts to form. In addition there is no mention of her mother--what happened to her and why is this not a loss? Obviously this is such a deficit it cannot be referred to except obliquely by one scene where an enormous statue of a woman is destroyed, and by the total lack of other women in the film.

Overall a troubling nightmare of forsaken femininity.


Blu-ray version of Lara Croft Tomb Raider movie   May 23, 2008
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I give the movie 5 stars as an exciting imaginitive adventure movie.
But there are issues with the Blu-ray version - which are:
The movie was not photographically focused with HD video in mind. Sometimes the details are clearly in focus, sometimes the details are only DVD clear. This is better than an ordinary DVD "upconverted" but is not consistently what I would expect from a true Blu-ray quality movie. If you already own the DVD it may not be worth upgrading - but if you don't I think it is worth it for adventure movie fans.

This is based on the original Blu-ray disk release.