2001’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was the harbinger for a slue of video game adaptations that failed to set the world on fire. Doom, Ratchet and Clank, Resident Evil, and Assassin’s Creed are all examples of critically panned video game adaptations. This year’s fresh take on Tomb Raider is a little different, bringing an interesting film that’s worth a second glance.

 

The film begins in Lara’s home city of London. It follows her on a journey to track down her father, Richard, who disappeared many years ago under mysterious circumstances. Mainly set between London and a remote Pacific island, the film aims to take viewers on a globe-trotting adventure. Visually however, it misses the mark. With rare exceptions, each setting on the island feels claustrophobic, uninspiring and worst of all, ordinary.

 

Borrowing plot elements from the 2013 video game, the film presents cliché but within an enjoyable storyline. The plot centres around the curse of an ancient Japanese queen, and in typical adventure fashion, a villain and protagonist, each racing the other for the prize. While the story is serviceable, it is far from exceptional and unfortunately predictable. The plot is let down by an overly serious tone and lacks the humour of a typical adventure film.

 

Alicia Vikander gives an electrifying performance as Lara Croft, and is the highlight of the film. Her take on the character is more grounded than audiences may expect. This iteration of Lara Croft is young, inexperienced and at many times, out of her depth. This builds tension and adds real stakes to the film’s action. Walton Goggins plays a terrifying and relentless villain, Mathias Vogel. However, his performance toes the line between “genuinely scary” and “Moustache-twirling cartoon bad guy”. The supporting cast deliver solid performances, especially Dominic West as Richard Croft.

 

Tomb Raider’s overall impression suffers from its endeavours to establish sequels. This film may be considered a reboot with the intent of beginning a new franchise. While this may be to get viewers excited to see more of Lara Croft in the future, ultimately it is to the film’s detriment. The ending is tremendously lacklustre and places the film in the context of a larger arc, rather than as a self-contained story.

 

Tomb Raider is competent but forgettable. Its fantastic cast and action are let down by a mediocre plot and setting. As video game adaptations go, the film certainly holds its own, but there are better ways to spend two hours at the cinema.  

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