This film is a complete departure from the 2001 original blockbuster hit featuring Angelina Jolie. Alicia Vikander allows us to understand the origins of “Lara Croft”.
What is refreshing, is that this is not the Lara Croft we recall, the highly skilled adventurer who excels in combat, the modern day Lara Croft is not invincible and does not remain unscathed during the various trials and tribulations that she faces.
The film begins with flashbacks to Lara’s childhood, featuring her archaeologist father Lord Richard Croft’s (Dominic West) which allow the viewer to get under Lara’s skin and gives us the true origins of both her pain and determination due to her father’s influence and subsequent absence due to expeditions/ disappearance.
This vulnerability is a staple throughout, although her true grit and fearlessness develops throughout the arc of the story. Alicia Vikander’s portrayal demonstrates that Lara is human; she is not afraid to cry but demonstrates how loss and strife can be empowering.
For this reason, I feel that this modern Tomb Raider is a real commercial hit. Fans of the original video games and movie will have their thirst for an action packed story line fulfilled, were those unfamiliar with the franchise; particularly those who like to go on an emotional journey with a character will be equally enthralled.
The premise of the film is that young Lara Croft reluctantly finds herself back within the Croft family fold and stately home. After a series of revelations following her return to the family home, Lara embarks on an expedition to a remote and mysterious Japanese Island with the help of the equally emotionally tenacious Lu Ren (Daniel Wu).
The storm scenes that accompany this journey are absolutely incredible, so much so that the viewer is left wondering if our heroine will survive, truly breathtaking, edge of the seat inducing visual effects.
Once on the island, Lara finds herself in the midst of the insidious, downright sadistic yet enthralling Mathias Vogel (Walton Goggins) and his fellow operatives who are searching for the tomb of the “Death Queen”, as had Lara’s father before his disappearance.
After facing numerous trials and tribulations, under duress, Lara must lead this group into the mystical tomb. Without giving too much away, the group’s time in the tomb is not without peril, where Lara must rely on her blind faith, fearlessness and sharp mind to survive.
The screenplay is incredible, Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Alastair Siddons have very cleverly instilled similarities in the ensemble of lead characters, whether they be good or bad, a real staple sense of emotional vulnerability unites them, they all share the same sense of unstoppable determination to achieve their goals, it’s their individual sense of morality that is the instrumental competent that ensures that you will not once to miss a moment of this film.
What is apparent from the offset is that director (Roar Uthaug) did not want to create a “reboot” per say, I feel he very much wanted to recreate the character of Lara Croft.
Yes the action, nail biting stunts and sense of adventure remains but this reborn Lara Croft is not the pneumatic/buxom and downright stiff character portrayed in the original which was which was a direct cross over from the video games, she is a modern woman.
This sense of humanity is what carries this film equally as much as the bow-and-arrow/ axe wielding Lara or the blood hungry villains. Of course this franchise has notoriety; however it is Vikander’s multi-dimensional depiction of Lara croft that allows her to lead a cast of amazingly talented male co-stars. Cinemagoers often complain when a reboot/ reimagining of an iconic franchise doesn’t quite hit the mark.
Well, this film delivers the integral elements of the character and premise that the fans of the original film/ computer games want to see, along with a modern twist that ensures that a new market of fans will emerge. This is definitely a film for both sexes and all ages (12A). This film celebrates the growing trend of strong female action heroes.
Book your tickets at Movie House, Belfast at www.moviehouse.co.uk