Tomb Raider

Score:  B+

Directed by Roar Uthaug
Starring Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton Goggins
Running time: 118 minutes
Rated PG-13

Long Story Short:  One of the better-known video game characters, Lara Croft, returns to the big screen, this time portrayed by Alicia Vikander, in Tomb Raider.  Forget its video game origins (and all that tends to signify), though: this is a really good adventure film that concentrates on its strength of exciting set pieces and a formidable performance by its star.  The rest of the film is also quite solidly done, so you don't feel the dreaded brain drain.  Recommended to anyone looking for a fun time at the theater.


Lara Croft (Vikander) is a wayward young woman, struggling to support herself by zipping through the streets of London as a bike courier.  Her father's disappearance years ago is what has derailed her once bright, promising future; however, she has refused to accept his likely fate and therefore also her massive inheritance.  Pushed to a breaking point, she finally relents.  After figuring out a puzzle her father left for her, she discovers a hidden office which provides clues to his last mission, and whereabouts.  With just the clothes on her back and her father's notes, Lara sets off to find a tiny island in the Pacific.  While she is most concerned with finding and saving her father, her curious, sharp mind can't help but consider her father's own pursuit, an ancient legend about a peril to the world hidden for centuries.

Lara Croft has a nice, compact cast that does an impressive job for a film of its genre.  Alicia Vikander takes on the role of Lara Croft, the popular video game character similar to Indiana Jones.  Vikander quickly dispels fears of simplification or stereotype that might arise from the genre in general, or her particular character's over-sexualized reputation.  She is an Oscar-winning actress, and puts that talent to use in creating a headstrong, feisty, compassionate heroine.  Her performance also conveys her human vulnerability and complexity, though, making her remarkably relatable, not to mention quite likable and sympathetic.  Vikander clearly did extensive physical training for the role, too, therefore making the action feel credible; again, however, her character's mission is not the adventure and fighting itself, but rather the rescuing of her father that requires such an arduous journey.  Dominic West does nicely as her father, both a warm parental presence at times and a realistically addled survivor at others.  Lara is joined for a good portion of her journey by Lu Ren (played by Daniel Wu), whose own father has gone missing; he is effective in throwing some of Lara's own attitude back at her, and playing the supporting (yet fortunately not romantic) role.  Walton Goggins is the "villain", but the script and his own acting make that a simplistic description.  He doesn't get a lot to do, but Goggins doesn't need much to convey a good dose of sinister.  There are a few even smaller roles, notably Kristin Scott Thomas's mysterious business partner, and Nick Frost for some nice comic relief.

Lara Croft transcends the limitations of its sub-genre, and succeeds as one of the better adventure films released in recent years.  The film's main focus is, of course, action and excitement; frankly, many similar films fail even at this, but Lara Croft does it very well, and even frames it within an intriguing overall narrative.  The adventure aspect benefits from several standout set pieces, a consistently gutty, edge-of-your-seat feeling, and a refreshing lack of emphasis on fighting.  A stormy shipwreck at night (despite heavy CGI, almost made me seasick) and an extended, "what else can go wrong?!" escape scene are highlights, but little if any action is done by rote; it's all interesting, meaningful to the plot, or both.  The literal feel of the action also helps; as impressive as Lara/ Vikander's stunts are, she is still quite mortal and is bumped, bruised and worse all along the way; grunting and thrashing, we feel her ordeal, and are all the more impressed with her mere survival.  The story that guides the action along is not the most original, but it's a solid one, and it works best in the details and execution.  We are given just enough exposition; the film doesn't get bogged down in lore, but also gives due attention to critical (and often recurring) details.  The main journey itself starts neither too quickly nor too slowly, and the development of Lara's character occurs smoothly throughout the film - it's all very well-paced, in other words.  The script also wisely does not go too heavy on the comedy, rather inserting a few well-placed chuckle moments here and there.  Finally, the climactic scenes reveal not a Mummy-like fantasy, but a surprisingly realistic twist on the legend that is forebodingly set up early on; this makes the conclusion all the more satisfying.

***

Lara Croft is a very impressive adventure film, a video game adaptation that doesn't feel like one at all.  Certainly, it helps tremendously that the focal point of the movie, its lead character, is played by an excellent actor in Alicia Vikander (which makes me think I should give the Michael Fassbender-starring Assassin's Creed a chance).  Still, that hardly ensured success, as great actors are frequently victimized by bad films.  Rather than coast on Vikander's presence and the franchise's popularity, clearly a lot of thought and effort was put into everything from the script to the production of the action pieces (emphasizing practical stunts over CGI effects) to the cohesive, distinct tone and feel.  It also helps that the filmmakers' ambitions are modest - it doesn't try to be a fanboy circus (i.e. I had no problems not knowing anything about the video game) nor even try to elevate the drama too much.  It's just a really fun adventure film, and an excellent choice to go see in the theater.




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