Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider

Dir: Roar Uthaug 

Cast: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Daniel Wu, Walt Goggins

       Video game adaptations have always been a dodgy aspect of filmmaking. From 

   JCVD's portrayal of Guile in the Street Fighter film to the horrible Bob Hoskins' 

   Super Mario Brothers film of the early 90's, it hasn't exactly been great. This 
   version is a less hypersexualized version that starred Angelina Jolie way back
   in 2001.

       The beautiful Alicia Vikander stars as Lara Croft, a young woman who has a 

   taste for adventure. At the start, we see her working as a bike courier in the streets

   of London. Before she can claim her inheritance money, she finds clues to the 

   disappearance of her father Lord Richard Croft (West).  

       She follows the clues to a remote island encountering merciless mercenaries 

   using slaves to find an ancient grave reputed to hide mystical powers. The evil

   Mathias Vogel (Goggins) captures her to use her knowledge of opening the 

   ancient crypt to bring about the end of the world.

     The Good: The action scenes were intense to watch and didn't know if 
   Alicia was actually hurt or not. I appreciated the nod to Indiana Jones movies
   when the booby traps were set off. The father/daughter dynamic hits all the
   right notes. Alicia Vikander is very easy on the eyes. 

    The Bad: While Vikander did a decent job portraying the famous heroine, 
  she lacks the charisma that Jolie's take had. This movie had less action and
   more drama which dragged the film down a tad. 

    Overall: Judging by the trailers, I thought it'd be a cheesy flick and it turns 
   out it isn't. It's a very enjoyable film that doesn't take itself seriously. The
   open ending left me wanting more in a sequel should they decide to make 
   another one. 

Grade: C (7/10)