Tomb Raider 2 (2003) (4 Stars)

That's a terrific film poster. Angelina Jolie's pose, the upward angle, the dramatic text in the background. Everything is perfect. If I were ever bored enough to put together a list of the best film posters, this would be in the top 10.

I should have watched the two Tomb Raider films back to back, so that I could judge which one is better. After a two year gap I can't be 100% certain. I vaguely remember that the first film had more action, but the second film is visually more attractive. I'm sure I'll watch them again, eventually.

The film's premise is so infeasible that a good deal of suspension of disbelief is necessary, but once you've managed that step, the film is well written and ably performed by all the cast members. After an underwater earthquake, Lara Croft finds the sunken Luna Temple, which contained the greatest treasures of Alexander the Great. In the middle of the usual collection of of gold, silver and precious gems there's a glowing orb. This is snatched from her hands by Chinese bandits.

Back in England, MI6 agents tell her what the orb is about. It's a map with which to find the legendary Pandora's box. The box contains a deadly virus, for which there's no cure. A rogue scientist called Jonathan Reiss wants to unleash the virus on the world, after creating a vaccine that he'll only give to himself and a few dozen of those he considers worthy to survive. It'll be the start of a new world, with himself as the ruler. The box is hidden in a place called the Cradle of Life, where humanity was first created by the Gods.

It seems to me that the film is closely based on one of the Tomb Raider video games. It has the typical game strategy of having to solve one problem to advance to the next.

Lara Croft, played once more by Angelina Jolie, teams up with a former lover, Terry Sheridan (Gerard Butler). Their journey leads them across China, from Shanghai to Hong Kong, and then to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. There's even a gratuitous scene of the Great Wall of China. It's too short. It should have been extended. I've always been fascinated by the Great Wall of China.

An important feature of the film is Angelina Jolie herself. In the videogames Lara Croft was the archetypal busty videogame character. Thousands of teenage computer game nerds got off by playing with her.

This is what Lara Croft looked like on the box. Not too bad.

This is what she looked like on the computer screen. Ugh! Nerds got off on that?

Computer graphics have come a long way since 1995, but Angelina Jolie is what the nerds had been waiting for. A beautiful face, swollen lips and large breasts. I never played the computer game, so I don't have the same nerdy attachment to the character of Lara Croft, but I still find her attractive.

This is a good film, despite being savaged by critics. 

Success Rate:  - 0.3

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