Lara Croft - Tomb Raider (2001)

19% of critics liked it
(155 reviews)
60% of users liked it
(484,547 ratings)

A popular video game comes to the screen with this big-budget adventure starring Angelina Jolie as a buxom heroine recalling equal parts Indiana Jones and James Bond. Jolie is Lara Croft, a proper British aristocrat groomed at schools for the children of the elite. Croft leads a double life,… More A popular video game comes to the screen with this big-budget adventure starring Angelina Jolie as a buxom heroine recalling equal parts Indiana Jones and James Bond. Jolie is Lara Croft, a proper British aristocrat groomed at schools for the children of the elite. Croft leads a double life, however, as an acquirer of lost antiquities through questionable means, highly trained in combat skills with the help of a robotic opponent called Simon. Despite her exciting profession and a life of wealth and breeding, Lara pines for her father, Lord Croft (Jon Voight), whose passing left her orphaned. On the eve of a celestial event that will also mark the anniversary of Lord Croft's death, Lara comes up against an ancient organization called the Illuminati, represented by the sinister Powell (Iain Glen), who's in pursuit of an ancient relic with power over time and even death itself. With the aid of her high-tech support team, Lara travels to some exotic locales in search of the artifact, including a foray into a decrepit Asian temple guarded by lethal stone apes and other creatures that spring to life. Filmed at various locations in Great Britain as well as Iceland and the Angkor Wat temples of Cambodia, Tomb Raider co-stars Noah Taylor, Chris Barrie, Daniel Craig, Rachel Appleton, Leslie Phillips, Mark Collie, and Julian Rhind-Tutt. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Simon West
Written By: Michael Colleary and Mike Werb, Michael Colleary, Patrick Massett, John Zinman, Mike Werb
Genres: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jun 15, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Nov 13, 2001
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
[A] movie based on a video game that's unafraid to look absurd but lacks the self-conviction needed to come off as camp.
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
Loud, banal, empty, frenzied, plasticized, flavorless, drab, violent in a bloodless way and sexy in a sexless way.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
In the department of numbing ineptitude, the pacing runs a neck-and-neck race with the dialogue.
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice
So pandering and pebble-brained you'd guess it had been test-screened on barnyard animals.
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter
There is more tension in Jolie's T-shirts than in the dramatic action.
David Edelstein, Slate
[Jolie's] glittering, libidinous impudence gives this packaged piece of corporate schlock a strange integrity -- perhaps even a soul.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Some great action sequences, but not much else.
Philip French, Observer [UK]
So inferior as art and entertainment.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
Stick to the games for true action, folks.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Even by video-game-movie standards, this is an arrogantly, almost smugly empty and incoherent mess.
Christopher Smith, Bangor Daily News (Maine)
All the world can blow up around Lara Croft--and it does here--but who cares when there's no reason to fear for her life?
Joe Lozito, Big Picture Big Sound
It might be easier to list the things that were good about Tomb Raider, but little comes to mind.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Displaying boobs, brawn, and brain (in that order), Angelina Jolie renders a splashy perfromance but the movie, which is like a video-game turned big-screen entertainment, is not good; another missed opportunity to have a femme-driven action-adventure
, Time Out
A jerky, fragmented tale that jumps from one exotic location to the next without any explanation or flow.
Scott Nash, Three Movie Buffs
Worth watching.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
This would have been a better action movie if the last 10 minutes were replaced. Any computer-game player knows the last battle is supposed to be the toughest.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
Let's face it, people going to see this movie expect two things: Lots of action and lots of slo-mo shots of Jolie running.
Stacie Hougland, Hollywood.com
You never get any explanation of who these people are or why they do what they do.
Harry Guerin, RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)
Jolie kept her side of the deal, everyone else owes her big time.
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
Like her gaming counterpart, she's all pretty eye candy without much of a soul or even an interesting personality.

Read all 21 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Michael M

No one could fit into this role better than Angelina Jolie. Not only does it have a superbly selected cast, the action sequences are thrilling and best of all everything else in the movie distracts you entirely from the plot that although isnt that great is very, very imaginative.
Martin S

Not so entertaining. Some pretty bad effects...and a not so interesting plot. Almost a 3 star...close but no cigar.
Unknown H

As a major fan of the video game and with a deep, unrelenting contempt for Angelina Jolie, this movie had a lot to prove to me and for the most part did. Witty and fast paced, I felt that it remained true to the character of Lara Croft and the franchise, even if I felt it was slightly… More
As a major fan of the video game and with a deep, unrelenting contempt for Angelina Jolie, this movie had a lot to prove to me and for the most part did. Witty and fast paced, I felt that it remained true to the character of Lara Croft and the franchise, even if I felt it was slightly moronic not to choose one of the many magical BRITISH actress' that could have played this role better than old fish face Jolie ever could.
Tyler K

I saw Tomb Raider a while back. I was excited, the intro looked really good, and I couldn't wait until the end! Turns out the irony of that statement is just that, I wanted it to end! The very beginning is great, the very end is great, but in-between it's just... well,… More
I saw Tomb Raider a while back. I was excited, the intro looked really good, and I couldn't wait until the end! Turns out the irony of that statement is just that, I wanted it to end! The very beginning is great, the very end is great, but in-between it's just... well, boring. Talk this, talk that, talk talk talk talk talk TALK TALK. For a Tomb Raider movie, I expected it to be full of action, but it just bored me half to death. I'm surprised I'm still breathing... I'm surprised that I didn't die! I cannot believe someone would like this junk! Some people are like that, viewers... some people are roaches...
Jason R

This movie kicked off my love of women on screen with British accents... even if Angelina isn't a Brit
Jeff "

Being a fan of the video game in my teens, I of course was very excited about seeing this film when it came out. I really enjoyed this film I thought it was a good action film that really capture the feel of the game very well. Angelina Jolie is quite good in the role of Lara Croft.… More
Being a fan of the video game in my teens, I of course was very excited about seeing this film when it came out. I really enjoyed this film I thought it was a good action film that really capture the feel of the game very well. Angelina Jolie is quite good in the role of Lara Croft. Tomb Raider is a fun, action filled film that will appeal to fans of the game. Tomb Raider is for me a mindless action film thats designed to be thrilling and entertaining. The film works well because it elements of the game and fuses them into a story fairly good considering the cast involved. I mean Angelia Jolie ain't exactly an excellent actress. Simon West delivers a film that simply fun, action packed and thrilling. Tomb Raider is not perfect, but it definitely is a film that exceeded my expectations. This is a film to watch when you're bored and want something that delivers top notch action. Though lacking in an excellent story, the film still manages to be good with a story thats decent enough. But everyone knows that what makes the Tomb Raider franchise so great is the sex appeal of its character, Lara Croft. Being played by Angelina Jolie who is pretty good in the part, despite her being an average actress. Daniel Craig is also great in his role and manages to light up the screen. I view Tomb Raider as a popcorn action film which is flawed but entertaining. For a film based on a video game, Tomb Raider is a pretty good adaptation. Simon West's vision for what this film needed to be is there, but there could have been improvements here and there. However Tomb Raider is a fun film that can certainly appeal to fans of the game or people just looking for a fun action film to pass the time.
KJ P

Lara Croft Tomb raider serves as a pretty weak film overall, but often has great action to make up for it's faults. Tomb Raider is a pretty average film that I did not quite care for, but I may watch a few more times for enjoyment!
Anthony L

It's amazing how dated this film is already. It's fairly awful but not a bad adaption of the game itself, it's just that playing the game is much more fun!
Film C

i love the lara croft movies, there fun, entertainig and action packed with an easy to follow storyline!
Coxxie M

back in the beginning of her "i have big lips and big titties so i dont have to really act" approach... didnt work for me
Conner R

I've always loved Tomb Raider due to the fact that it doesn't hide what it is. It's just a fun movie with an incredibly sexy lead character, done flawlessly by Angelina Jolie. It might be corny at times, but mostly it is a fun movie with a lot of great effects and… More
I've always loved Tomb Raider due to the fact that it doesn't hide what it is. It's just a fun movie with an incredibly sexy lead character, done flawlessly by Angelina Jolie. It might be corny at times, but mostly it is a fun movie with a lot of great effects and adventure. It's almost like a rich, female Indiana Jones.
Thomas B

i couldn't care less about the content, i'm just glad ange is wearing so little
Arash X

Jolie's boobs to save the world, Nice
Justin Y

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider is another video game to movie adaptation. How is it? Well, let's just say that there is room for improvement.The story isn't too bad and it is fitting for the Tomb Raider character. Actually, I am glad that director… More
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider is another video game to movie adaptation. How is it? Well, let's just say that there is room for improvement.The story isn't too bad and it is fitting for the Tomb Raider character. Actually, I am glad that director Simon West took the time to at least incorporate a plot in the film rather than just making it all about the action. At 1 hour and 40 minutes, the film moves by quickly and this is because the story is a little choppy and it feels somewhat incomplete. Sure, it doesn't drag, but there are times where you probably want to see a little more. I ain't just talking about Angelina Jolie in the shower either.In the earlier parts of the movie, a good portion of it takes place in Lara's mansion and it is just a little too much time there. Fortunately, once she leaves for other parts of the world, the settings become more interesting.Tomb Raider is an action gal and there is a good amount of action in here. It isn't spectacular, but it does get entertaining when the double pistols come out. These scenes also come with the techno-ish background music to spice them up. The CG, on the other hand, isn't all that great, but it is tolerable. I have seen worse.Angelina Jolie is a nice match for Lara Croft and she is one of the only reasons to check out this flick. The rest of the cast, including Daniel Craig and Jon Voight, is completely forgettable. There is just no character buildup, so you never really care for any of them.In the end, this isn't a movie to make plans for. If it is on, fine.
Red L

I guess it is about time I saw Lara Croft. It is a fun movie to watch. Just sit back and watch the action and don't think about the plot much.
Alexander W

Great fun movie , very entertaining, full of twists, great action film. Stunning lycra
Tsubaki S

I can't believe i actually went to see this. Jolie still looked good those days i guess, before going into anorexia-full mode.
danny d

this movie is not as plain as many believe. this is actually one of my favorite action flicks ever made, well thought out with excellent locations and writting, what seems like a simple action flick is more fun than almost any movie i have ever seen.
Dean M

Angelina Jolie kicks ass in this amazing action-adventure film as the world's most famous video-game heroine. With eye-popping action and electrifying thrills, Tomb Raider made me exciting, laugh and cheer from beginning to end!
Sophie B

Angelina jolie looks exactly like the game version of Lara Croft. Good story and lots of great action. Wish i could do it!