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41 out of 54 people found the following review useful: The Female Indiana Jones, 16 July 2006 Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States
Angeline Jolie, gives us the female version of "Indiana Jones" in this wild cartoon-like adventure story, which is fun to watch. Being a mentally lightweight action film with no credibility (no villain ever harms Jolie in this film despite firepower that would take out some Third World countries) but our heroine is there to save the day, of course! Jolie mainly is there to show off her chest in tight tee-shirts and perform near-impossible stunts. To her credit, she went to extreme lengths to get herself physically-fit for the role.Audio-wise, this is a one of the better DVDs you will ever hear, with excellent use of the surround speakers. Nice scenery, a sharp picture and low profanity also are pluses. Yes, the action is a little much and too loud in spots but otherwise "Tomb Raider" is a fun adventure that is recommended to all.p.s. Skip the sequel; it's a weak one.
34 out of 44 people found the following review useful: I was entertained., 10 June 2003 Author: kpickette
"Tomb Raider" is a harmless diversion that should please its core audience. I loved the performance of Angelina Jolie, who brings the computer game heroine Lara Croft to life. I watched an interview with Jolie in which she said that she really "became Lara Croft".With her mock British accent, Jolie is a lot of fun as the adventurer-archaeologist who is equal parts Bruce Wayne and Indiana Jones, but with a much better body.Taking its cue from the video game, the film's screenplay is more of a puzzle than a plot. The script is a patchwork of ideas that plays like a Greatest Hits collection of other films. It deals with end of the world stuff, but it never feels apocalyptic. It's controlled chaos, utterly lacking in surprise. The script jumps from one expected moment to the next, never apologizing for its lack of originality.At least Jolie understands the limitations of the script. There's enough conviction in her performance to make you want to believe in Lara Croft, the spunky heiress is who is equally at home in her spacious mansion or within the catacombs of a lost tomb. She's guided by the spirit (both literally and figuratively) of her late adventurer father, Lord Croft (Jon Voight), and assisted by an archaeologist Alex West (Daniel Craig) and cyber-geek creator Bryce (Noah Taylor).The film opens like "Raiders of the Lost Ark," with Lara Croft deep inside one of those musty, dusty tombs. Instead of outrunning a giant boulder, Croft squares off against a mechanical monster, a robotic menace that seems to come out of nowhere. It doesn't. We learn that it's a creation of Bryce, used to keep Croft on her toes.Angelina Jolie made the perfect Lara Croft; her facial expressions and sly smirks added a personality to the flick that I can only imagine the video game is missing. She seemed smart, brave, and composed as well as full of emotion. Okay, maybe the parts with her father (real-life papa Jon Voight) were a little over the top, but since the whole movie is just eye-candy anyway they seemed to fit.The fight scenes among ruins got me. How can you not love Lara Croft jumping onto a swinging obelisk to smash a glass eye that holds the key to time, or sledding thru an ice cave being pulled by dogs? Or the scene where the villains jump through her castle windows as she rappels around the walls, smashing chandeliers and pistol-whipping bad guys? What's a girl to do but hop on her motorbike, take a guy out sideways, and race off at 100 miles an hour? Excellent.
31 out of 41 people found the following review useful: At least it had (a) Angelina Jolie, and (b) Arnold Rimmer, 14 October 2001 Author: Spleen from Canberra, Australia
The use of space in the bunjee-jumping-inside fight scene is masterful - all three dimensions are used in a clever way. But I only worked this out afterwards. It was the choreographer's work that was masterful; the idiots who filmed and edited it did their darndest to make it choppy, incoherent, and unexciting. As if that weren't enough, someone - it may have been the composer, it may have been the director - thought that the action scenes would be best accompanied by a tuneless, relentless, jackhammer techno beat."Tomb Raider" is "Raiders of the Lost Ark" emulated by people who haven't seen it. If they HAD seen it, they'd know that Spielberg edited his action sequences so as to let the audience know what was going on, to give us an idea of where the hero stood and what obstacles he faced; also that John Williams wrote actual MUSIC, complete with themes and chords and rhythms and consecutive bars that often as not differed from one another.I'm not familiar with the computer game - if I were, I would be doubly grateful to see Angelina Jolie in the leading role. It must get tiring looking at large computer-generated breasts that just SIT there, like cast-iron balloons. Oddly, the audience I was with tittered because Jolie's breasts bounced as she walked downstairs. I don't get the joke. That's what breasts, by and large, DO - those of Hollywood actresses being an unfortunate exception to the general rule. -Anyway, all this aside, Jolie was, as always, terrific, when the film allowed her to be. This wasn't often. Usually I can at least decipher the storyline of a film afterwards, but this one has me baffled. It SEEMS that the film's heroine, in order to Save the World, merely had to sit still and do nothing - and KNOWING this, she Endangered the World, so that she could later save it in a more rope-swinging, kick-boxing, ammo-expending fashion. But surely nobody would spend millions of dollars on a film with this central weakness ... would they?
32 out of 46 people found the following review useful: Not bad, 9 July 2001 Author: jlon from Dublin
I was expecting a much worse movie. Thankfully "Tomb Raider" is above average. Jolie is good and using her dad in the movie is interesting. The action scenes are great and the plot is involving. The sequence where statues come to life is remarkable. Altogether an enjoyable experience.
37 out of 57 people found the following review useful: If you don't expect more than pointless action, you will get your money's worth. *** (out of four), 4 July 2001 Author: Blake French (baffilmcritic@cs.com) from USA
LORA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER / (2001) *** (out of four)By Blake French: At last, here is a successful screen adaptation from a video game. "Lora Croft: Tomb Raider" takes the plot seriously, and has a lot of fun with it. Unlike the silly "Wing Commander" and incompetent "Mortal Combat," this movie soars with its physical potential. The movie experienced many production complications, therefore I excepted it to symbolize the three tedious years of filmmaking, the director who bailed out, the sexual harassment charges filed, and the 11 screenwriters who couldn't satisfy Paramount Pictures, the bill, and Eidos Interactive, the company that owns the video game. "Lora Croft: Tomb Raider" manages to pull past its problematic filmmaking process and provide audiences with what is expected from this action packed extravaganza. Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie portrays Lora Croft, who is a cross between Indiana Jones and James Bond. The role of Croft was not an easy accomplishment, even for Jolie. She endured great physical hardships during the shooting, including injuries to her knee, foot, and shoulder. It's a good thing that Jolie did the film, however, she's probably the only actress with the capabilities and physical appearance to handle such a role. Elizabeth Hurley, Sandra Bullock, Denise Richards, Ashley Judd, and Jennifer Love Hewitt were also among the actresses considered for the role. Any of those fine performers would have brought their own charm and delight to the role, but Croft feels perfect for Jolie. The disposable premise is not just a clothesline for various action sequences. It stands alone as a needlessly complicated plot contraption concocted out of desperation and deadlines. I am glad the actors took it so seriously; this material begs for parody. Lora Croft discovers a key-based clock unidentifiable even by an antique dealer. Meanwhile, a ruthless member of a powerful society named Manfred Powell (Iain Glen) is waiting for a planetary alignment that occurs once every 5,000 years. This event will give the holder of two separated pieces of a magical stone the power over time itself. Croft and Powell learn that the key will unlock the whereabouts of those missing halves. The rest of the plot follows the villains and heroes on their journey around the planet, searching for the various artifacts and precious instruments. The film will not disappoint action fans. Suspend disbelief and follow the film's absurd concepts, then the fast-paced action sequences, eye-popping special effects, and convincing sets will satisfy. The outcome of almost every single scene is as obvious as it is predictable, but that doesn't mean we enjoy the scenes any less. There are some exciting action sequences in "Lora Croft: Tomb Raider," although it's easy to become lost in the action; the frequent cuts and camera tricks often interrupt the flow of the action. "Lora Croft: Tomb Raider" is a fun summer thrill ride. It's not a smart, savvy film, but compared to movies like "The Mummy Returns" it's a wake up call in the midst of a starving summer movie season. If you don't expect more than pointless action, you will get your money's worth.
8 out of 10 people found the following review useful: Lara Comes To Life, 2 October 2002 Author: EmperorNortonII from San Francisco, California
Many video game enthusiasts were looking forward to the movie adaptation of the "Tomb Raider" game series. When "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" was finally released, not all of them were satisfied. But the movie does have its good points. Angelina Jolie takes the lead as Lara Croft, the famed archaeologist/adventurer, woman warrior and gamer's dream girl. She plays the role as if she were meant to be Lara Croft. The movie also boasts some very good visual effects and exciting action. The plot does leave a bit to be desired, though. The ancients may have had deep knowledge about the universe and the planets, but the concept with the planetary alignment was just barely plausible. But, really, with movies like this, it's all about explosions and the star's body. Lara Croft's game might not be for everybody, and the same goes for the movie.
5 out of 5 people found the following review useful: Sexy and stylish fun., 2 April 2006 Author: eternalsea from United Kingdom
Lara Croft Tomb Raider may be the silliest movie to ever grace multiplex screens, but it may well be one of the most enjoyable to. The action is thick fast and stylish, the stunts so unbelievable you'll love them and little pieces of Angelina Jolie thrown in for good measure. The story is a B movie classic, Tomb Raider Lara Croft finds a clock that contains a powerful map. The map shows the way to the pieces of an artifact that if placed together when a planetary allignment occurs grants the bearer the power of God. However the evil group the Illumenati want the map for themselves and thus steal it from Lara. Lara then goes after the group in order to stop them from using it for evil. The acting is the campest of the year with Iain Glenn as the stand out. Jolie is the perfect person to play Lara and looks great in some of the action sequences. The supporting cast which includes Daniel Craig are very much background players but they add plenty of color and fun to the story. The Director Simon West, who is also responsible for the excellent Con Air deserves applause for catching the essence of the Video game perfectly. So sit back and relax because when it comes to Lara Croft Tomb Raider only a churl won't love it.
5 out of 5 people found the following review useful: Great Action. Great Movie., 21 October 2003 Author: Fiendish_Dramaturgy from .: Fiendish Writings in the Dark :.
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
The hype, the merchandising, the tagline, and even the box this movie came in, promised Angelina Jolie to be the "Ultimate Superhero."Was Laura Croft (as portrayed here) the "ultimate superhero?" I'd have to say, "Yes!"The sets were all exquisite in design and architecture. The props were top of the line, state of the art Hollywood eye candy. The wardrobe, specifically that of Ms. Jolie, was quite well done, and while the character development did come late in the movie, I honestly found myself emotionally invested in her character.Frankly, I geuninely hope they make another "Croft" movie. I was so amused and entertained by the first one, I can't wait to see where she goes next.The elaborate sets and props were nearly awe-inspiring, delicately and cohesively tying the story together with the setting, and working to Jolie's advantage through demonstration of her talents and obvious hard work in preparation for this movie.If they DO make another, and I understand they already have at the time of this writing, I do hope they at least paid a good screen writer and kept the props manager from the last movie. As I have said so many times before, the little details add so much to a production; not just with this one, but any production, and they can often bridge the gap between avid fan and casual movie-goer enjoyment.All that having been said, the action is quite stimulating, and extremely well choreographed and executed by Jolie, thanks no doubt to her personal trainer Eddie Chow. The soundtrack was very "now," with great songs as the background by Nine Inch Nails, Chemical Brothers, Groove Armada, Oxide & Neutrino, Delerium, Basement Jaxx, and more.Great music with the action and extremely creative set designs lend for a very enjoyable movie.It rates a 7.4/10 from...the Fiend :.
4 out of 4 people found the following review useful: God, Angelina is hot!, 6 December 2001 Author: test4eko (test4eko@qwest.net) from USA
I just recently bought this movie on DVD without even previously seen it. I haven't even really played the video. I am very familiar with the game but never have actually sat down to play it. But this movie was a lot better than expected. I mean A LOT better. I can't think of any other actress to be Lara Croft other than Jolie. She is unbelievably hot and a fantastic actress. I think it's the lips that do it for me.
3 out of 3 people found the following review useful: Angelina Jolie delivers!, 12 June 2005 Author: IlovetheFog from Hong Kong
This movie is one of the best action movies I've ever seen! Angelina Jolie does a wonderful, great performance in it, being almost the exact duplicate of Lara Croft in real life. And to think, she did almost all of her own stunts! The movie delivers one action packed seen after another, also twisting in drama, revenge and even comedy. The plot's just like a VG of Lara Croft: She has to pick up the two pieces of the pyramid of power before her arch rival does, and uses it to take over the world. Highly recommended, especially since of the Bungee Balet scene which keeps you on the edge of you seat!!! Even better than Indianna Jones!
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