Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Review
by Shannon Patrick Sullivan (shannon AT morgan DOT ucs DOT mun DOT ca)August 29th, 2001
TOMB RAIDER (2001) / ** 1/2
Directed by Simon West. Screenplay by Patrick Massett and John Zinman, from a story by Sara B Cooper, Mike Werb and Michael Colleary, adapted by West. Starring Angelina Jolie, Iain Glen, Daniel Craig. Running time: 100 minutes. Rated PG for frightening scenes and mature theme by the MFCB. Reviewed on August 22nd, 2001.
By SHANNON PATRICK SULLIVAN
Synopsis: When adventuress Lara Croft (Jolie) finds an ancient clock hidden by her long-lost father (Jon Voight), it sets in motion a desperate search for an ancient artefact called the Clock of Ages. Competing against Lara in the globe-spanning quest are Manfred Powell (Glen), agent of the insidious Illuminati, and Lara's old flame, fellow relic hunter Alex West (Craig). But the race also brings to light secrets from Lara's past, and even she may not be prepared to uncover the truth about her father.
Review: The video-game-to-film transition is always a dicey proposition. These films are often unable to appeal beyond arcade aficionados, and suffer a rapid slump into rental store obscurity. "Tomb Raider", though, is a bit different. Not only does it largely eschew the fantastical tendencies of most video game properties, but it evokes another movie franchise, its lead character being essentially a well-endowed modern-day Indiana Jones. Make no mistake, Jolie is very good as Lara, achieving a nice mix of upper-crust panache and two-fisted determination. West brings the excitement of the game to life, and many shots look as though they were lifted right off the computer monitor. But West's adherence to "Tomb Raider"'s roots ultimately proves to be the film's Achilles' heel as well. So rapid is his pacing that any sense of thoughtful filmmaking goes out the window. Characters flit by without development: we are expected to jeer Manfred Powell, but mostly because we're told to. The behaviour of wild card Alex West just seems to follow the whims of the plot. And although the writers have come up with an entertaining modern-pulp storyline, it is bereft of much of the charm that made Indy's adventures so endearing. Ultimately, the experience of viewing "Tomb Raider" is hardly more satisfying than watching someone else play the computer game.
Copyright © 2001 Shannon Patrick Sullivan.
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