Tomb Raider (2018)

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by borgmatrix

I'm with you. There's was nothing especially objectionable, but also not a lot that really stood out. The movie had the most life during sequences in the latter half of the movie, not coincidentally in settings we expect to see Lara in. If only they could have shortened the opening, taken more of ANH approach in getting us into the thick of things sooner. Some of the early action/chase sequences were diverting enough, but hardly weighty or even needed.

I like Vikander in the role. I thought the casting around her was solid. Ably directed, as you'd pointed out in your review. If they could have given us more of what we saw during the latter half...

I actually liked the boat crash, and the scene when she wakes up in Mathias' presence (Goggins' best scene/acting in the movie), followed by her escape which actually did call back to the game nicely on its own (but taken in the context of the entire movie can feel like another QTE or cutscene). But yeah, while cilched, the second half did have scenes with a little more juice in them.

I wouldn't have minded shortening the the pre-island stuff as well. The two action scenes felt like hollow attempts to show that she's badass or in over her head (the boxing match) before going on this adventure. I would've spent 5-10 minutes max in the city or just jumped right onto the boat like the game did, and spent more time on developing Lara and plunging her into darkness that asks her to really find the courage to live and fight back. Looking at

[Show spoiler]Lara's first kill

, Alicia is damn good in that scene, but the way it's shot and lit doesn't allow it to really affect us and linger in our minds as something that was harrowing for her. Also, incorporating the archeology into her mission earlier on rather than as an afterthought, so that she actually builds an interest in it that'll blossom into the Lara we know for future films.

I don't like to compare a movie to its source material and complain about things that weren't adapted, but the movie really could've been better. I would've given it the same score and had the same general thoughts without the game existing though. It's still an average action movie.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by KnightOfCydonia

Alicia Vikander really sold this movie for me. She was vulnerable but super badass at the same time, really helped the dramatic scenes flow better.

I would've liked her to be even more vulnerable honestly. She's pretty confident most of the time and her vulnerability is mostly whenever

[Show spoiler]Mathias Vogel has a gun on her and her father.

Play the '13 game to see a truly vulnerable Lara Croft. I do agree that Vikander was great though, and badass. She truly did elevate the movie and make it worth seeing.

[AFFanAttic]

I was so thrilled during most of this movie just for the fact that it wasn't a terrible video game adaptation. That is a low standard though, and it surpasses that into being a prettyyyy good movie.

It did feel a little sparse. Through most of that final set piece on the island, I really thought that was all within the second act and it would lead to something bigger outside. Gradually though I realized, oh, they're going to wrap up the main plot in here. So it felt a little shortchanged, but I appreciate that it didn't develop into something overly loud and stupid.

I hope a sequel happens and that it steps up the quality even more. I feel that a good second movie will elevate this first one, but I wish that this one, as a standalone, could have lived up just a little bit more on its own.

I love the two recent reboot games and so I was greatly looking forward to this and with high hopes. I even avoided all reviews and RT scores and stuff so I could go in with open expectations. I'm mostly very happy with it. Maybe I'll be more okay with the structure during a second time around. I look forward to seeing it a second time in the theater and having the disc on the shelf alongside my PS4 games later this year (oh gosh I hope Shadow of doesn't let down). But here I am comparing it to the games again and even though I like the games, that feels a little cheap. It's an enjoyable movie on its own.

[bratpack]

They should have went more horror /thriller with this one the reboot game has some great horror elements like the beginning under the caves , in the blood pit, under the island in the creepy prison cells etc

The games island is also excellent it had character, a sense of place/history
And great atmosphere

The island in this movie was lame it all went by way to fast without any world building just to get to the tomb .

The supernatural weather in the game was also another cool thing they removed

Alicia was excellent Shame she was let down by everything else it was an OK movie

[borgmatrix]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

I would've given it the same score and had the same general thoughts without the game existing though. It's still an average action movie.

Agreed. I, of course, know of the games but I've never played them.

[SethRex]

Originally Posted by s2mikey

Yeah - this review and many others like it are why I wont be blind buying it. No biggy, rentals are your friend

To be fair, in an age of Red Box and Netflix, there is no reason why a person should have to blind buy a movie anyway. Just rent it for a few dollars, and watch it that way before deciding to buy.

[Foggy]

Thought this was a complete and utter snoozer.

[SixSpeedSamurai]

Originally Posted by SethRex

To be fair, in an age of Red Box and Netflix, there is no reason why a person should have to blind buy a movie anyway. Just rent it for a few dollars, and watch it that way before deciding to buy.

You must not collect Steelbooks.

I enjoyed it, but it could have been better. The opening needed to be shorted, less time not on the island. It really skipped completely over the survival (non combat) aspect of the last two games. I liked Alicia and Daniel, and they were very good together what little they were on screen.

The shakey came in parts was horrific. I don't think we're going to get a superb video game movie until they put a big name director on one.

Considering how many bad video game movies we've had, this makes it into the running for one of the best. I still like Assassins Creed better.

[Britnasty]

4/5.

I am totally surprised at the mixed reactions in here because I thought this was awesome. I was never bored with it and 80% of the time was on the edge of my seat.

Vikander is the perfect Lara Croft for the new angle they’re going for. Where Jolie was good as the camp sex symbol, Vikander is able to take the more serious route while still projecting vulnerability, a vibrant personality and believably a name taking, ass kick bad b*tch!

I found the story to be your standard origin story BUT the added element of Queen Himiko and the sense of dread she brought with her was fantastic.

[Show spoiler]I was severely creeped out for about two minutes at her corpse and thought they were going to be battling a ghost but I loved the ultimate reveal of what she actually was even more. I found it clever.

The 3D on this was unnecessary and really added nothing to the film IMO.

Overall, I REALLY had a lot of fun with this. Can’t give it a perfect score because of it being a standard origin story but found the use of Queen Himiko actually saved bits of the story.

[morphinapg]

Originally Posted by Britnasty

4/5.

I am totally surprised at the mixed reactions in here because I thought this was awesome. I was never bored with it and 80% of the time was on the edge of my seat.

Vikander is the perfect Lara Croft for the new angle they’re going for. Where Jolie was good as the camp sex symbol, Vikander is able to take the more serious route while still projecting vulnerability, a vibrant personality and believability as an ass kicking bad ass.

I found the story to be your standard origin story BUT the added element of Queen Himiko and the sense of dread she brought with her was fantastic.

[Show spoiler]I was severely creeped out for about two minutes at her corpse and thought they were going to be battling a ghost but I loved the ultimate reveal of what she actually was even more. I found it clever.

The 3D on this was unnecessary and really added nothing to the film IMO.

Overall, I REALLY had a lot of fun with this. Can’t give it a perfect score because of it being a standard origin story but found the use of Queen Himiko actually saved bits of the story.

agreed 100%

[DarkEco910]

I've been reflecting on why I enjoyed this so much, and for as much as I hate to admit it, jlk5844's review is hard to argue with. I definitely wanted more, but I came away satisfied after both viewings. But here's what I can come away with:

I'm really glad they just didn't rip the ending from the game.

[Show spoiler]I feel it would've been bashed even more due to the simple fact it would've been the cliché CGI fest of a supernatural force and would've been compared to every video game and superhero film as of late. I'm thankful the filmmakers didn't bloat the budget to make that happen. I really appreciate the twist they provided at the end of this with Himiko being a carrier of a deadly disease. The next film should make Lara question if the Macguffin is science or supernatural and have it end up being the latter just to get a taste for that. But the fact they grounded this origin film is not only a nice surprise, but it's ballsy.

As far as Walton Goggins goes,

[Show spoiler] I think his villain character was fine. Calling him weak is just lazy. It showed he was ruthless, and he did a great job of playing a character who was at the edge of pure insanity. But he was exhausted after spending so many years on that island searching for something that he was probably starting to believe wasn't there until Lara arrived. It gave him a sense of rejuvenation, but at the same time, he was still trying to put what little he had into satisfying his employer. It clearly wasn't enough, and Lara does dispatch him relatively easy, but it makes it more believable. I'm fairly certain the next one will up the ante and give her a bigger challenge.

[Chaotic]

Originally Posted by Britnasty

4/5.

I am totally surprised at the mixed reactions in here because I thought this was awesome. I was never bored with it and 80% of the time was on the edge of my seat.

Vikander is the perfect Lara Croft for the new angle they’re going for. Where Jolie was good as the camp sex symbol, Vikander is able to take the more serious route while still projecting vulnerability, a vibrant personality and believably a name taking, ass kick bad b*tch!

I found the story to be your standard origin story BUT the added element of Queen Himiko and the sense of dread she brought with her was fantastic.

[Show spoiler]I was severely creeped out for about two minutes at her corpse and thought they were going to be battling a ghost but I loved the ultimate reveal of what she actually was even more. I found it clever.

The 3D on this was unnecessary and really added nothing to the film IMO.

Overall, I REALLY had a lot of fun with this. Can’t give it a perfect score because of it being a standard origin story but found the use of Queen Himiko actually saved bits of the story.

I was hoping it would turn supernatural but I still loved the queen story.. Still creepy. Loved Dominic West in this.

[DJR662]

Don't know if this has already been mentioned, but I just read the movie's screenwriter initially had plans for Tomb Raider to be more in the same vein as the recent Marvel movies. Thank f... that didn't happen!!!

I absolutely love the overall more serious tone of Tomb Raider, lacking the forced, wise cracking and unfunny humor every 5 minutes like in most Marvel movies. Should a sequel be made, I pray it will be like the first one tonally.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by DJR662

Don't know if this has already been mentioned, but I just read the movie's screenwriter initially had plans for Tomb Raider to be more in the same vein as the recent Marvel movies. Thank f... that didn't happen!!!

Yup. It was Alicia Vikander herself who wanted the film to be more serious.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

Yup. It was Alicia Vikander herself who wanted the film to be more serious.

Now I love her even more.

[Spencer_Kain92]

Still deciding if I want to see this or not...

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by Spencer_Kain92

Still deciding if I want to see this or not...

Please do so.

The movie is very enjoyable and I think Vikander makes a great Lara.

And the more people will see it, the more likely a sequel will be made.

[LegacyCosts]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

Yup. It was Alicia Vikander herself who wanted the film to be more serious.

Lara doesn't need quips.

[Rlow3]

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by DJR662

Don't know if this has already been mentioned, but I just read the movie's screenwriter initially had plans for Tomb Raider to be more in the same vein as the recent Marvel movies. Thank f... that didn't happen!!!

I absolutely love the overall more serious tone of Tomb Raider, lacking the forced, wise cracking and unfunny humor every 5 minutes like in most Marvel movies. Should a sequel be made, I pray it will be like the first one tonally.

I loved that this had a serious tone, reminded me of a 90s action movie. Not sure why everything needs comedy now or people and critics don’t like it.. just one of the reasons I hate marvel. It’s sad that it’s not getting much support, I really want sequels

[dallywhitty]

Gaming Heads have finally revealed the first of their TR figurines, the ones which were announced in 2016 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the original game.



It looks ace, but the $280 price tag makes me shudder.

This is roughly what the six statues will look like together:



1) TRI Lara
2) TRIII Nevada Lara
3) Angel of Darkness Lara
4) Legend Lara
5) Spin-off Lara (Guardian of Light/Temple of Osiris)
6) Rise (reboot) Lara