Tomb Raider

This is the first movie that I've seen in the theatre since Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The one before that was the new Star Wars movie when it came out. I can't remember the one before that, but I think it was Terminator 2. From this you might gather that I don't go see many movies in the theatre, and you'd be right.

My wife and I saw this with our friends Gord and Gail. We thought it would be fun to see, and we were right. If logically constructed plots, brilliant dialogue, or torrid passionate love scenes are why you go to see a movie, don't see this one. You'd certainly be disappointed. The storyline is utter fluff, but the characters seem to believe it, and obediently go through the motions. Lara has some good lines, but the other characters don't give her much to work with.

Lara (Angelina Jolie) is pretty well what you're going to see the movie for, and contrary to what you might think, there are more than two good reasons to see her. She isn't quite Lt. Ripley, but then, nobody else is either. However, she is quite credible as the action lead, and shows far more character than a simple video game action figure. Sometimes its just a look in the eye, or a twitch of those fabulous lips. This is what creates interesting characters that we can identify with. Strenuous as they might be, athletic exploits without character are boring.

It's clear that she's carrying some real muscle, but it only adds to the attraction of that, that, that figure. Even with the aid of a padded bra, Angelina isn't quite the equal of the video game Lara Croft, but no human woman could be. What's important for me is that she still looks athletically well proportioned, in a well endowed sort of way. Angelina moves well, carries herself with confidence, and radiates attitude. Little girls could do much worse than growing up wanting to be her.

There is no shortage of shoot-em-up scenes, but even without a real story they don't dominate the movie. I'm not going to talk about the premise of the story. It simply doesn't rate discussion. I liked the sly reference to the Pink Panther movies, and Batman. There's a little bit of Indiana Jones flavour, and a hint of Bond in Lara's approach to the world. Not Bond's elegance or savoir faire, but his ability to interact with the world on his terms. The scene in the auction room was great, and did not turn out the way I expected. If Lara drives that way all the time I can only imagine how many traffic tickets she gets.

In some movies you can clearly tell the actors are having a good time, even if they aren't winking at the camera. The Whole Nine Yards is an example of this. In others, the characters are following the script with a deadly determination, perhaps to get it over with as soon as possible. All the Segal movies I've seen are like this. Tomb Raider lands somewhere in between. The characters go through the hoops, but not over the top. Even the villain doesn't seem bad or evil, merely misguided. Serviceable is the word I'm looking for. There's enough characterization to recognize the good guys, the bad guys, the romantic lead, the mascot, but certainly not enough to make them memorable. Outside the demands of telling the story, the script is adequate, and at least avoids the more obvious banalities. If anyone said "Lets get out of here!" I missed it, and I usually pick up on it, just to wince.

They spent a lot of time and money on the sets, and it shows. No matter how fascinated you are with Lara's, um, topography, you will look at the background. I didn't see nearly enough of the elegant mansion she lives in, and I just loved the orreys. The sets and photography aren't quite worth going to see the movie for, but when I rent it on DVD I plan to spend some time examining the sets on freeze frame. There are all sorts of interesting things competing for your attention. I wonder about a couple things when I see all these really old mechanisms in movies. You know, moving walls, swinging things, levers, all that sort of Rube Goldberg stuff. It's been sitting for a good long time, but there is never near enough dust on it, and it works perfectly. How did the builders test it? For that matter, how did they build it? Yeah, yeah, there I go, bringing reality into it again. Sorry.

I suppose the movie can't be blamed for not having a real story; growing up from a video game will do that to you. That's the only real downside to this movie, everything else is at least adequately done. These days, that represents good value for your movie dollar. Basically, this is good fun entertainment. It is the exact equivalent of reading a trashy novel while eating a quart of good ice cream. As long as you don't go in expecting anything more, you'll have a good time. You're just there to enjoy the ride. The kids will like it, and they won't see anything they shouldn't be seeing. I'm looking forward to seeing it on DVD, especially the bonus features.