Heart Racing Action-Packed Entertainment; Tomb Raider Review

It’s crazy to think that it’s been a whole 15 years since the last Tomb Raider movie was released. It’s nice to see it back on the big screen as video-game nostalgia and entertaining cinematics are fused together in this heart-racing action-packed adventure.

Previously played by Angelina Jolie, Lara Croft has taken on a more serious and stern demeanor in the shape of Alicia Vikander. Many reviewers have been complaining about the film’s prologue that shows various flashbacks and focuses on how Lara is turning her back on her inheritance and trying to live a normal life, I felt it was necessary. It helped to build a bigger picture and reminded me of an extended cut-scene in a game.

Speaking of the game. The plot itself is actually inspired by the 2013 reboot of the character as Lara goes on an adventure to an island that may or may not have the key to her missing father’s whereabouts. Upon discovering this mysterious island Lara comes face to face with the bad guys, led by Mathias Vogel (Walton Goggins). These bad guys all work for an organization named Trinity who are searching for exactly what Lara’s father set off to find many years ago, leaving Lara to grow up without a dad.

The story revolves around the Japanese legend of “The Death Queen” who was buried alive under this particular island to protect the rest of the world from her evil powers. What follows plays out exactly like the game with frantic frenzy gunfire, quick-fire action sequences and tomb exploration that feels picked straight from an Indiana Jones script.

What stood out for me throughout the film was the cinematography. How the movie was shot feels so much more immersive than your usual action movie, in the same breath that a video game immerses you in every aspect of the story.

I remember when I played Uncharted for the first time and how engrossed I was in the storyline, the history, the treasure exploration and the overall adventure. Tomb Raider projects this into a cinematic experience that feels like you’re watching live-action gameplay rather than a movie.

Puzzles galore, waterfalls and intensity make Tomb Raider a heart racing experience. Thankfully the action sequences make up for a rather simplistic script but everything else comes together rather nicely. I feel as thou at times there was too much backstory (although it was warranted) and a few more action sequences or events should have been added to almost counterbalance the events on screen.

Alicia Vikander looks the part and for a 2-hour duration, I completely forgot that Angelina Jolie had played the role before her. Alicia took the character and made it her own. Naturally, video game movie adaptations are a lot to be desired but as far as this one goes. It does a better job than most! Remember Doom anyone?

You don’t expect deep intertwined stories and all the other rubbish in a video game. If you want an action game, you want guns, explosions and one hell of a good time. It’s an opportunity to escape, to be creative and to forget about the outside world. Tomb Raider brings that to the table and whilst it’s far from perfect from a film aspect, it’s certainly an escape.

All out action-packed entertainment and if the ending is anything to go by, we may be seeing more adventures in the future.