Tomb Raider (2018)
★★½ — Tomb Raider (2018)
Roar Uthaug, the Norwegian director best known up to that point for the disaster film The Wave (2015), was handed the keys to this franchise reboot by MGM and GK Films, working with Square Enix (owners of the video game property) as co-producers. The film draws less from the original 1996 Tomb Raider game series and more from the rebooted 2013 Crystal Dynamics game of the same name, itself a grittier, origin-focused reimagining of the character. Angelina Jolie had previously played Lara Croft in two early 2000s instalments, so this version had the added weight of replacing a fairly iconic casting choice. Alicia Vikander, fresh from her Oscar win for The Danish Girl (2015), takes on the role in what was a considerable physical undertaking, reportedly requiring months of intensive training.
The 2018 Tomb Raider reboot aims to reinvent Lara Croft as a gritty, grounded origin story (less invincible action hero, more determined survivor) and while it succeeds in giving the character depth, the film itself never quite comes to life. Alicia Vikander brings grit, physicality, and emotional weight to Lara, portraying her as intelligent, resourceful, and vulnerable in the face of danger but I don't think she lives up to Angelina Jolie. The action scenes are decent: tight, well-choreographed sequences on a stormy sea, in booby-trapped ruins, and hand-to-hand combat that feels impactful without being over-the-top. The plot follows Lara’s journey to a mysterious island in search of her missing father, where she uncovers a sinister operation led by Walton Goggins’ sadistic villain, Mathias Vogel. There’s potential here (exploration, puzzles, ancient secrets) but the script plays everything so straight and dour that it drains much of the fun out of what should be an adventurous, pulpy ride. The tone is relentlessly serious, the visuals are drab (endless grey skies and muddy browns), and the pacing often stalls between set pieces. It’s not badly made, it’s competently shot, well-acted, and avoids many of the pitfalls of video game adaptations, but it’s also bland, forgettable, and lacking the sense of wonder or excitement that defines great adventure films. Compared to the playful energy of the original games or the campy charm of the Angelina Jolie versions, this one feels sterile. Solid but unspectacular. A missed opportunity to be thrilling, bold, or even just fun. Decent action, decent performance, but ultimately a lifeless trek through familiar territory.
Rating: ★★½ | Year: 2018 | Watched: 2025-10-20
Where to watch (UK)
Stream: MGM Plus Amazon Channel · ITVX Premium
Rent: Apple TV Store · Amazon Video · Sky Store
Buy: Apple TV Store · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies · Sky Store
Physical: Amazon UK
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