VIDEO: Watch Tim’s review of “Tomb Raider” with Adrienne Broaddus on KARE-TV.
“Tomb Raider” (PG-13)
Alicia Vikander establishes a winning presence right off the bat in “Tomb Raider,” a familiar-feeling yet entertaining action adventure that reboots the Lara Croft film series originated by Angelina Jolie in 2001. A prequel to the story of Lara Croft based on the hit video game series, “Tomb Raider,” while not groundbreaking, certainly shows promise as it lays a solid foundation for what promises to be more than a one-and-done movie franchise.
“The Danish Girl” Oscar winner Vikander stars as Lara Croft, the wayward daughter of Lord Richard Croft (Dominic West), a wealthy British businessman who vanished without a trace when Lara was a mid-teen. Even though she wants nothing to do with her inheritance, Lara is forced to reluctantly meet with her father’s business subordinates, who give her a puzzle box that contains a clue to the gateway of her father’s secret life as an archaeologist. It seems before he disappeared, Richard found the mystery location of an ancient tomb of a Japanese queen that possesses supernatural powers; and since she is born with the same sense of curiosity as her father, Lara uses his maps and research in hopes of finding him.
Related: Alicia Vikander talks ‘The Danish Girl’
While “Tomb Raider” plays out like an “Indiana Jones” movie, the narrative differs in that Lara isn’t in the game to seek treasure, but rather embarks on the adventure to find the person she treasures the most. That’s not to say the film avoids ancient tomb that Richard was seeking in the first place; because there’s another archaeologist, Mathias Vogel (the always great Walton Goggins) who is working for a mysterious conglomerate that aims to use the tomb’s powers for sinister purposes.
While the film is a bit slow out of the gate, “Tomb Raider” gets more engaging as it goes along and hits its strike in the latter half of the film when Lara reaches her island destination. It’s there were Vikander gets a workout in a variety of harrowing action scenes, proving that she has the wherewithal to succeed in any film genre. The great thing about the film is, while its based on a video game, it doesn’t feel like a video game. Grounded in memorable performances by Vikander, Goggins, West and the always wonderful Kristin Scott Thomas in a pivotal role, “Tomb Raider” has weight, which is essential should the film series evolve into the franchise that it aspires to be.
AUDIO: Hear Tim’s review of “Tomb Raider” with Tom Barnard on “The KQ92 Morning Show” (segment begins 3 minutes in).
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, 103.7-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.
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