Tomb Raider was SO COOL.
It’s so hard for me to hate a movie that has booby-traps, puzzles, a beautiful father-daughter relationship, and a bad-ass heroine! Tomb Raider, with my very limited cinematic vocabulary, was very cool indeed.
My background in the Tomb Raider franchise is probably more extensive than a lot of casual watchers. Which is kinda unusual for me! But thus is the usual pattern when a movie is related to a book, game or anime (I’m looking at you, Ghost in the Shell).
I have to admit I had a bit of a love-hate relationship with Lara Croft as a character that was portrayed in both the games and the movies. “Character design” is a phrase I only came to understand later on when I got a bit older, but when I was a young 12 year-old playing Tomb Raider on the Gameboy Colour (and later the Xbox), or watching the Angelina Jolie movies, I was bothered by how Lara Croft was designed without knowing why. I know the games and movies were targetted towards men, but as a tomboy who played games and aspired to be Kim Possible, Tomb Raider, which should be right in my alley, rubbed me the wrong way.
I remember thinking, “I don’t think her short shorts are very comfortable to fight or climb in”. Or “her boobs are in the way”. Or “A BIKINI??!”. Send empathetic vibes towards Angelina Jolie ya’ll. She probably had no artistic control over the film other than through the acting. It would have been nice to see a Tomb Raider movie with Jolie where she was framed with admiration rather than with thirsty thirsty nakedness thirst. 🙁
Looking back, these might be some of the reasons why I played through Tomb Raider and watched the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movies only once. Which is totally out of ordinary for me! I’m the type of person to do something over and over until I’ve had my fill. Tomb Raider, which should be in my wheelhouse, just didn’t do it for me then.
The most recent Tomb Raider on the other hand… I love!
So! Here are the reasons why I loved the latest version of Tomb Raider. (Which is basically just me gushing over errytang while still trying to be objective and spoiler-free!)
A Compelling Heroine
I don’t want to be one of those plebes gushing over a movie just because the standard was set too low for a female character, and that this whole movie made it for me just because there weren’t any unnecessary bikini scenes, but let me have my moment. Lara was one bad-ass mofo in this film. Without giving too much away, just know that girl been through ish. And continued to go through ish throughout the duration of this film. If you saw the movie you know what I mean lelelelelelel.
Aside from being a bad-ass, Lara’s characterisation was done in manner that is reminiscent of real-life while still planting itself firmly in the fictional world. I mean not everyone has both the mind, skill, and the luck to pull off the Lara Croft lifestyle. Though 12-year old me definitely thought so. Tragic.
Throughout the movie, you may find yourself rooting for her, no matter how detached you try to make yourself so that you can remain objective when you write a review on Tomb Raider. Or maybe that’s just specific to me??? Bleh.
Just know that I failed to be objective spectacularly. But at least it was spectacular! #WomanCrushWednesday (even though it’s Tuesday as I’m writing this…)
Anywho! I’d like to point out that I am aware that making a big deal out of a “strong female character”, as is the colloquial term, isn’t something to be all that impressed about. I long for the days where a female character can just be called a “strong character”, without making the distinction of being female. We’ll get there one day lads and laddies! Hopefully sooner rather than later though.
Lara Croft makes Tomb Raider what it is, and I find this Lara to be a refreshing change to movies that visibly try to make a female character “large and in-charge”. In the process of this, most movies portray women in perfection. The lack of flaws is disconcerting. Tomb Raider managed to showcase a Lara that seems real and human; she has her flaws. She can be lost, she can be afraid, she can be hurt. She’s a protagonist you’re charmed with because of her struggles to be a survivor, in conflict with her principles. I live for this shit! 😀 The one-dimensional Lara of Tomb Raider‘s past is no more! Bring on the new, multi-dimensional Lara Croft!
An Underwhelming “Tomb”
I have to say that I was a bit underwhelmed with the “Tomb” in Tomb Raider. It’s obviously a huge plot device. I mean… The movie is called “Tomb Raider”. I’d have liked for the Tomb to receive more love and care. Yeah, it was interesting enough I guess, but I would have thought we’d already moved away from the “put this thing into this other thing” tombs that were so common before. I wanted more puzzles! Tease my brain a little, ya know? Me wants it.
I of course understand that this first movie was a Lara Croft origins story, but to have juuuuust a little more effort put into the tomb puzzles woulda been great! I very much appreciate the in-depth characterisation of Lara, but Lara only makes up one half of Tomb Raider. She’s the raider. Now where is the tomb that should be living up to its raider’s caliber?
Family and Friendship
One thing I’d like to touch on briefly is the overarching theme of family and friendship that seems to be ever-present in this film. Lara’s relationships with the people around her showcases her priorities in life wonderfully. Her devotion to her father, her inability to perform acts of violence outside of a ring, her friendship with Lu Ren. This gave the film a wider world scope than if they had just focused on Lara and a single romantic relationship, which while is compelling, lacks the depth and variety of real-life relationships people have with each other.
I won’t spoil anything, but it is with family and friendship do the characters, not just Lara, make this film something more than just an action movie with a bad-ass character.
Worth It?
I loved Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft, and I’d be excited to see a Tomb Raider sequel with a more exceptional tomb that Lara deserves! The action sequences, Lara’s characterisation, the compelling plot; the latest version of Tomb Raider truly has the making of something great.
And fingers crossed that there will be a sequel! You can never tell with these things. Hmph. 😒 *still salty about Dirk Gently season 3*. I hope that, in the next one, the tomb will be upgraded with the latest booby traps and killer puzzles! Pun very much intended.
Is it worth the watch? NO.
I’m kidding! Sorry, I’m a waste of space. Of course it’s-
WORTH IT.
Did I miss anything I should’ve pointed out in Tomb Raider? Maybe you have suggestions for what movie I should watch and review next! Let me know in the comments! You can also check out some of my other TV/Film posts here. Don’t forget to subscribe so you know when I post my next super dope magnum opus content!