make you feel that you're sitting through a 90 minute commerical. Instead,
Tomb Raider strives to be more like a summer blockbuster (Then again, when it
comes to product placement, you can't get any more obvious.) To date, the
track record of this genre has been lacking (Mortal Kombat, Super Mario
Brothers and Wing Commander). Generally the laughable script, plastic
characters and dull action sequences have earned the ire of fans and
non-aficionados alike. Tomb Raider changes all that. For what it is, Tomb
Raider does a good job. It's like Indiana Jones meets James Bond with a
female protagonist and most of the plot siphoned off. Although the story
doesn't quite stand up, the action sequences are superbly produced. Tomb
Raider moves at a fast clip (perhaps too fast with the hyperactive camera
work) and represents top notch eye candy.
The story sounds like re-cycled "Dr. Who" ("The Key to Time", for anyone who
cares). A fabled artifact called the Triangle of Light has been broken into
two pieces. Now, as the nine planets are about to align, a secret society is
trying to find the pieces and bring them together. If they succeed, they
will have control over time; in their way is Lara Croft. Enter Manfred Power
(Iain Glen), who oozes the kind of charm that only a villain can. This
results in the showdown for the ages, with all sorts of special effects and
Matrix-inspired action.
Angelina Jolie is the reason that Tomb Raider works. She adds a third
dimension to Lara Croft that didn't exist on the written page (or game).
Jolie does a lot with her stares and her body language. She's action and sex
appeal blended and personfied. We even feel for Lara Croft at times - a sure
sign that the character managed to attain a semblance of life. The film is
loud, wild and free-wheeling enough to involve the most blaise of viewers.
Tomb Raider is a great way to cure the summer blahs, provided, as always with
this kind of film, you short-circuit the thinking parts of your brain. Of
all the summer's mindless blockbuster releases, this could be the most fun.
Rating: 3 stars (out of 4)