Tomb Raider Movie (2018 )Review - 22 March 2018

Going into this movie I didn't have high hopes, video game movies are notorious for being a let down not only for fans of the series but to people who know nothing about the content its based on. Tomb Raider is no different from gaming movies that came before it and tries to reboot the franchise Angelina Jolie previously starred in.

Tomb Raider Movie 2018 Trailer

Having seen the previous 2 movies starting AJ and having played the previous games Tomb Raider (the game this movie is based on) and Rise of the tomb raider I would like to think I know the content pretty well.

As with the rebooted gaming series, the movie is much darker and more serious than the previous iterations and takes itself way too serious at times, which makes for a decent action movie but that's where it stops. If this movie took this direction and was not trying to establish itself as an origin film too it may have worked but sadly it tries to do too much and fails to deliver on many aspects.

Alica Vikander does her best to portray a strong, tough and loveable young Lara as she searches for answers regarding her long-lost father, as she begins searching for answers we're thrown deep into the action and let me tell you there's tons of action.

Scenes felt like they were crafted straight from the game where many times I was actually waiting for the PS4 controller QTE (quick time event) buttons were going to pop on the screen to help you grab a branch or jump off a ledge to save yourself. The action is fast frantic and will leave you on the edge of your seat as you jump from nerve wrecking danger with death-defying stunts.

The CGI is also decent as you're thrown into this ancient untouched part of the world filled with traps, tombs ready to kill you at any second.

But this is where its merits stop

Tomb Raider Game 2013 Trailer

The content the movie is based on gives us a deep and complex character with plenty to explore and uncover while the movie spends plenty of time on Lara it doesn't really flesh her out completely and for over 2 hours runtime that is unacceptable.

Perhaps I could forgive Lara's shortcomings if supporting characters had her back but Lu Ren, Robert Croft, Mathias Voge are all paper thin, we actually know zero about them, their motivations or why they for or against anything they do. They all seem there just to help Lara further her story and mean little or nothing, they could have been killed off at any time and the movie would be no different.

The script writing as also so cliche at times and some of the lines were just so boring and stale in the 3rd act and as for the plot holes there were too many to be forgive. The movie is filled with questionable character decisions that are borderline nonsensical at times

I really feel this was a missed opportunity with the game offering all the content the movie needed to flesh out a dramatic and entertaining story.

The story continues

The movie also sets itself up for a sequel it never really deserved. I don't think this movie will flop at the box office with the shortage of female heroes and the success of wonder woman I'm sure WB will try to milk the female hero train for all its worth so expect to see more of Lara in the future.

All in all its a decent action movie and a fun ride as you tag along with Lara, no need to think, concentrate or put two and two together just watch and enjoy.

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