Tomb Raider movie review and film summay

Tomb Raider (2018): A Grounded Reboot with Thrills and Flaws

Introduction

Tomb Raider (2018), directed by Roar Uthaug, reboots the iconic video game franchise with Alicia Vikander stepping into the role of Lara Croft, previously portrayed by Angelina Jolie in the 2001 and 2003 films. Based on the 2013 video game reboot, this action-adventure film aims for a grittier, more humanized take on the legendary archaeologist. With a 52% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 324 reviews and a 48/100 score on Metacritic from 53 critics, the film received mixed reactions, praised for Vikander’s performance and action sequences but criticized for its uninspired script and lack of narrative depth. This 1000-word article provides a detailed plot summary and a critical review, assessing the film’s strengths, weaknesses, and its place in the action-adventure genre.

Plot Summary

The film opens in London, where 21-year-old Lara Croft (Alicia Vikander) scrapes by as a bike courier, refusing to accept her father, Lord Richard Croft’s (Dominic West), vast inheritance seven years after his disappearance. Struggling financially but fiercely independent, Lara avoids signing papers declaring her father dead, driven by a belief he’s still alive. When she finally relents, she receives a Japanese puzzle box from her father’s estate, revealing a hidden chamber with his research on Himiko, a mythical Japanese queen whose tomb holds dangerous power. Defying her father’s wishes to destroy his findings, Lara follows clues to a mysterious island off Japan’s coast, Yamatai, where Richard was last seen.

Lara’s journey begins with a perilous boat trip alongside Lu Ren (Daniel Wu), a ship captain whose own father disappeared with Richard. Their vessel is wrecked in a storm, and Lara washes ashore on Yamatai, where she’s captured by Mathias Vogel (Walton Goggins), a ruthless mercenary working for the shadowy organization Trinity. Vogel has been stranded on the island for years, searching for Himiko’s tomb to unleash its power for his employers. To Lara’s shock, she finds her father alive, having survived in hiding to prevent Trinity from accessing the tomb. Richard warns that Himiko’s remains could unleash a deadly plague, and he urges Lara to destroy his research.

As Lara and Richard reunite, they’re forced to work together to stop Vogel. Lara, initially inexperienced, taps into her resilience, using her kickboxing skills and quick thinking to navigate the island’s booby-trapped ruins. The film’s action peaks in a series of intense sequences: Lara escapes a collapsing cave, survives a fall down a waterfall using a parachute from a wrecked plane, and faces off against Vogel’s mercenaries with bows, arrows, and hand-to-hand combat. A pivotal moment occurs when Lara kills for the first time, a scene that briefly explores her emotional turmoil before she presses on.

The group reaches Himiko’s tomb, a labyrinth of traps and puzzles. Inside, they discover Himiko’s body, not a source of supernatural power but a carrier of a deadly disease, preserved to prevent its spread. Vogel, intent on delivering the remains to Trinity, betrays his own men, leading to a chaotic confrontation. Richard sacrifices himself to destroy the tomb, ensuring the disease remains contained. Lara defeats Vogel in a brutal fight, using her resourcefulness to outwit him. Escaping the island with Lu Ren, Lara returns to London, where she uncovers Trinity’s ties to her father’s company, setting the stage for future adventures. In a final scene, she buys two guns at a pawn shop, embracing her destiny as a tomb raider.

Review

Strengths

Alicia Vikander’s portrayal of Lara Croft is the film’s cornerstone. Unlike Jolie’s larger-than-life, hyper-confident Lara, Vikander’s version is raw, vulnerable, and relatable, embodying the 2013 game’s grounded take on a young woman becoming a survivor. Her physical commitment—having trained extensively to perform many stunts—lends authenticity to the action, particularly in sequences like the bike chase through London and the plane wreckage scene over a chasm. Critics, including Owen Gleiberman of Variety, praised Vikander’s “soulful intensity,” noting her ability to balance flinty charm with emotional depth, making Lara a believable cinematic video-game protagonist.

The film’s action sequences, inspired by the 2013 game, are a highlight. The bike race, waterfall escape, and tomb exploration are beautifully choreographed, with a human scale that avoids excessive CGI reliance, unlike the Jolie films. Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert.com called it “beautifully crafted and unpretentious,” with sequences as “gorgeous as they are thrilling.” The cinematography, shot in locations like South Africa and London, enhances the island’s rugged, mystical atmosphere, while the sound design amplifies tension. The film’s nod to Indiana Jones, with its booby-trapped ruins and ancient curses, feels nostalgic yet fresh, appealing to fans of classic adventure cinema.

The emotional core—Lara’s bond with her father—adds a layer of domestic melodrama, exploring grief and perseverance. The scene after Lara’s first kill, where she sits shaken beside the body, is a rare moment of reflection in an action film, emphasizing the human cost of violence. Walton Goggins also shines as Vogel, delivering a sleazy yet nuanced villain whose desperation mirrors Lara’s determination.

Weaknesses

Despite its strengths, Tomb Raider struggles with a derivative script and uneven pacing. The story, penned by Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Alastair Siddons, leans heavily on clichés, with clunky dialogue and predictable plot beats that fail to match the game’s narrative depth. Critics like Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune noted the second half’s decline, where Lara is sidelined by male characters, and the action becomes repetitive. The villain’s motivations and Trinity’s role feel underdeveloped, leaving the stakes vague.

Character development, beyond Lara, is minimal. Dominic West’s Richard Croft is a bland patriarch, and his death feels like a plot device rather than a meaningful loss. Supporting characters like Lu Ren and Ana (Kristin Scott Thomas) are underutilized, with the latter’s brief role hinting at untapped potential. The film’s attempt at an origin story feels unnecessary for a character already iconic, and its setup for a sequel, which was later canceled, slows the climax. The CGI, particularly in the tomb scenes, occasionally falters, detracting from the realism Uthaug aims for.

The film’s tone is inconsistent, oscillating between gritty realism and campy excess, which some X users found “silly” or “cheesy.” While it avoids the sexualization of the Jolie films, Lara’s lack of agency—driven largely by her father’s legacy—undermines her as a strong female lead, a point raised by Common Sense Media.

Themes and Cultural Impact

Tomb Raider explores themes of self-discovery and resilience, with Lara transforming from a directionless young woman to a capable adventurer. The film’s grounded approach aligns with the 2013 game’s focus on survival over glamour, reflecting a modernized Lara for a post-#MeToo audience. However, its reliance on “daddy issues” and male-driven motivations dilutes her independence, a critique echoed by Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian.

The film grossed $275 million worldwide, matching the 2001 film’s performance, but its mixed reviews and the cancellation of a planned sequel in 2022, after MGM lost the rights, highlight its limited lasting impact. Still, it remains one of the better video game adaptations, with fans on X praising its action and Vikander’s performance, though some preferred the Jolie films for their campy charm.

Conclusion

Tomb Raider (2018) is a solid, if flawed, reboot that benefits from Alicia Vikander’s compelling performance and well-executed action. Its grounded take on Lara Croft and nod to classic adventure films make it an enjoyable popcorn flick, but a lackluster script, weak supporting characters, and tonal inconsistencies prevent it from being truly memorable. For fans of the 2013 game or action-adventure cinema, it’s a worthwhile watch, but it falls short of the genre’s greats like Raiders of the Lost Ark. With a new reboot in development at Amazon Studios, Lara Croft’s cinematic journey continues to evolve.