Tomb Raider

Tomb Raider: Inferno #1

Tomb Raider: Inferno #1 comic reviewThe first issue of Tomb Raider: Inferno takes Lara Croft‘s search for answers about the mysterious organization known as Trinity into the frozen unknown where Trinity has uncovered the legendary Tomb of Eden. This time, however, not only is Trinity prepared for Lara’s interference but they’ve been patiently awaiting it.

Tomb Raider: Inferno #1 features quite a bit of set-up and tease. By the end we know that Trinity was expecting our heroine to crash their party, and that Lara (even knowing it was a trap) came anyway. As to just what “the resting place of God” refers to… well, that is still to be revealed. For a series that can go off the deep end sometimes, here’s hoping Eden proves to be at least partially grounded in something resembling reality.

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Tomb Raider

  • Title: Tomb Raider (2018)
  • IMDb: link

Tomb Raider (2018)Lara Croft is back. After the pair of financially successful (if pretty dumb) films starring Angelina Jolie in the early 2000s, the most famous video game archaeologist (sorry Mr. Jones) returns to the big screen. Because origin stories are all the rage, the latest Tomb Raider (following in the footsteps of the character’s more recent comic adventures) takes Lara back to the beginning to showcase how she became the world’s best tomb raider.

Alicia Vikander is a solid choice for a younger version of the character showcasing skills she hasn’t yet completely mastered. More grounded, with less emphasis on staging sequences for the sole reason to make her look cool, it’s certainly a more dramatic role that Jolie was given. The storyline, while taking a bit long to get going, is also better than either of the previous two movies as this time around Lara goes all Oliver Queen on a lost island where evil mercenaries hope to uncover a dangerous tomb. As an action film based on a video game Tomb Raider is surprisingly successful, even if, at times, certain sequences feel based more on questionable video-game logic than solid writing.

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Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

  • Title: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
  • IMDb: link

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider DVD reviewWith the character’s return to the big screen on Friday, this week’s throwback Tuesday takes us back to 2001’s big-screen adaptation of the Tomb Raider video game starring Angelina Jolie as English archaeologist Lara Croft. The plot centers around a mysterious artifact found in the Croft mansion, hidden inside an antique clock that begins ticking one fateful night. The artifact turns out to be tied to Lara’s missing father (Jon Voight) and the Illuminati who want to use it to gain control of time. Breaking into her insanely well-guarded home, equally insanely-prepared mercenaries make off with the key and begin a race to find the Triangle of Light which was broken in half centuries ago but with the key can be used to control time itself.

Incredibly goofy, even for a movie based off a video game, the film is largely forgettable other than for its star, ridiculous plot holes (such as granting Lara the chance to destroy half of the clock and essentially end the villains’ plans fairly early on but having her refuse to do so), and overly-elaborate sequences. Iain Glen and Daniel Craig star as the villains while Noah Taylor and Chris Barrie provide Lady Croft minimal technical support and back-up.

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Tomb Raider: Survivor’s Crusade #1

Tomb Raider: Survivor's Crusade #1 comic reviewThe first issue of Tomb Raider: Survivor’s Crusade takes Lara Croft to Corniglia, Italy inside a secret underground tomb discovered by Trinity. Lara isn’t there for the tomb, its riddles, or its treasures. She’s come seeking out members of the mysterious organization for answers concerning the identity of the person responsible for her father’s death.

Narrated throughout with the multiple attempts by our protagonist to explain her absence, and failing, the first issue does a fairly good job in kicking off the point of the series and just what Lara is questing for this time around. Although I enjoy Ashley A. Woods’ work, I’m not wild about the art in this issue. The action scenes work well-enough but there’s a grit to Lara and her adventures that doesn’t come across well in this first issue.

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