Ever since playing the awesome, incredible 2013 Tomb Raider game, I have been itching to revisit Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, even though I knew that they have really nothing in common with each other whatsoever, other than the brand name of course. The game is a reboot of the franchise and is also an origin story of how Lara came to be a Tomb Raider. The movie is nothing like that at all. In the film Angelina Jolie plays the title character, who herself is a cross between Indian Jones, Bruce Wayne and James Bond and this is why I didn't care for the movie the first time I watched it back when it first became available for rent a long time ago. Having just watched the movie today, my feelings for it have not improved.

I guess you can blame the video game for this. Why? Well, for starters, there is something very appealing about a character that only has her wits and ingenuity to solve problems that are put in front of her and that's what the entire game is all about. In the movie, having a super rich person with all the gadgets available to her just makes Lara the female version of Bruce Wayne / Batman. That's why Indiana Jones works so well for me as a character. All he has is luck and a bullwhip. No gadgets.

The action in this movie does seem a bit dated now and I wasn't overly excited or impressed with the Set Pieces either. Sure, back in the day it may have been highly regarded, but with time and numerous movies since then, it kind of pales in comparison. Still, I would say Tomb Raider is worth a Rent and nothing more. Since I haven't seen this movie since 2001, it was kind of a trip to see Daniel Craig in the movie. Obviously I didn't know who he was at the time.

This isn't a knock against Jolie, but it's funny the 2013 video game has an amazing story with heartfelt acting that makes you feel for Lara's personal well-being, which I never did with the film version. It's the fault of the screenwriter, not Jolie. She can only read the lines that are given to her.

Kinda curious to see Daniel Craig in this movie.  I really don't remember much of the movie except thinking that Chris Barrie (the butler) was criminally underused.

This dude?  James Bond?  I don't see it.


I'm half tempted to see this again now.  I just happened to find an FX reel with the Lara Croft computers included, so the movie's in my head.  But I don't remember enjoying it that much.