Movie Review

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life

It was mostly the curiosity factor that led me to see Tomb Raider 2 in a theater, as I heard a few somewhat reliable sources claim it as a good, fun movie; on the contrary, I heard some others say it was a boring movie without adrenaline. I found myself in the second group.

With two installments now having been adapted from the at-a-time popular video game, it just amazes me that with two attempts, the filmmakers still haven?t gotten it right. The original Tomb Raider lacked direction (exciting tension) and a solid script; now, even with action legend Jan de Bont behind the lens (who was behind Twister and Speed), Cradle of Life never builds into one stimulating scene. This is an action/adventure flick that is lacking both action and adventure.
I could?ve dismissed the original Tomb Raider and blocked it out of my memory if part two happened to be exciting, but as it stands the two installments are essentially the same film (the only difference being the add-on to the title of this one). So in that angle, if you were a fan of the original, you?re likely to enjoy this for what it?s worth; the rest of you can either wait to see this on DVD if you are so inclined, or ignore it completely.

This time around, video game hero Lara Croft (Anjeline Jolie) is back in action in search of the mythical Pandora?s Box, which holds the ability of unleashing a fatal plague across the world; antagonist Jonathan Reiss (Ciaran Hinds) has his eyes on using Pandora?s Box for his own dark pleasure. So as you might expect, that is about as heavy as the plot gets right there. Sometimes it can work and sometimes it doesn?t; this certainly fell flat.

To pinpoint one thing that went wrong in Cradle of Life is like asking why a bully acts the way he does ? there are numerous factors that probably pay a part. With this Tomb Raider adventure (and like all films), it all starts with the script and the screenplay written for the actors is as dull for an action movie as I?ve seen all year long (even 2 Fast 2 Furious showcased some stimulating chases).

One of the problems here is that Lara Croft isn?t necessarily given anything to do. She?ll dive into water, have an encounter with a dangerous shark that leads nowhere in purpose, have questionable sword-fights with acquaintances where nothing really happens, chase a friend on a motorcycle without anyone chasing them (with the friend being right alongside), and hang upside down on a rope, slowly heading down to the ground shooting upwards with her gun. Simply put, there is no tension in this movie; admittedly, I actually jolted at the beginning when the shark flew at the screen, but that bit was the only time I was ever involved in the film.

A movie pursuing the adventures of an Indiana Jones-like persona can work, but it needs fine talent; it needs people behind the scenes who are aware of how adrenaline is established and sustained. Simon West, director of the original Tomb Raider, was not the most fitting filmmaker; here, despite a more credited name with Jan de Bont, he doesn?t know what he?s doing, and it doesn?t help that Bont worked off a script that is on the level of The Haunting.

What amazes me about this franchise is that like Pirates of the Caribbean, it?s one of those film concepts that could possibly be one kick-ass summer ride if operated smoothly enough (though, to a lesser extent than Pirates? potential). It is possible to make a fun and adventurous movie based on the video game, but sadly, the game itself proved to be more rewarding.

Anjelina Jolie, as much as I don?t want to say it, is pretty damn good as Lara Croft; she carries an on-screen presence that could very well carry the duration out, but can?t impress any due to the script. On the director?s front, why not try someone like John Woo or Tony Scott? Both are more promising than the two directors who have already gotten paid to live out the job.

One of the aspects that also brings down Cradle of Life is that it?s a standard female version of James Bond. You could argue that Bond himself is not very strong-rooted in character and that there isn?t a whole lot of reason to care; then why do mass audiences attach sympathy? Because the talents both in front and behind the screen comprehend action movies ? they understand how to stimulate intrigue, how to get easy laughs, and how to wow through the adrenaline. In Lara Croft?s case, she is James Bond in a nutshell ? there is no way around it; what doesn?t work in her favor are the filmmakers operating the assignment.

I went and tried to have an open mind at Tomb Raider 2, but that state of mind rapidly vanished after the first forty minutes went by; truthfully, that portion sped by quicker than I expected ? it was the remaining hour and twenty minutes that didn?t. After that point, I found myself checking my watch about every fifteen minutes; the movie was playing, and my mind even got sidetracked several times. If I had walked out midway through, I would not have cared to the least bit.

Since Cradle of Life has found a relatively small audience compared to the huge crowds that flocked to the original, it is probably a good guess to predict that Lara Croft may not be back. And since the video game has been pretty much dead for a while, that is probably a wise move. I honestly would not mind going to a Tomb Raider movie again, but only if the producers found themselves a qualified director and screenwriter who have either watched their share of action flicks or have credible titles in their past.

The idea of a Tomb Raider movie has all kinds of adventurous possibilities; we can sort of see the vague ideas these talents have in their minds, but they don?t know how to maneuver.

Lee's Grade: C-
Ranked #123 of 132 between Paycheck (#122) and Dreamcatcher (#124) for 2003 movies.

A	0.4%
B	30.0%
C	61.7%
D	8.0%
F	0.0%