The new Laura Croft (Alicia Vikander) looks like she spent many hours in the gym and as such presents a much more muscular hero than the one that came before. This allows more close ups during the now more convincing physical altercations. Not unlike the transitions made available by Daniel Craig when he became the new Bond all those year ago.

The film still over relies on driving the action scenes with computer generated special effects but the hand to hand combat moments are more visceral than before. The solving puzzle aspect is really only hinted at. This is also an origin story so future films might get the mix more balanced.

There are moments of genuine emotional connection with the on screen actions and actors but unfortunately they are often submerged in a film that struggles to keep the view engaged during its more than ample 118 minute running time. Other reboots have takes a few tries to hit the mark so there is always hope next time around.

Rob Hudson
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Determined to forge her own path, she refuses to take the reins of her father’s global empire just as staunchly as she rejects the idea that he’s truly gone. Advised to face the facts and move forward after seven years without him, even Lara can’t understand what drives her to finally solve the puzzle of his mysterious death.

Going explicitly against his final wishes, she leaves everything she knows behind in search of her dad’s last-known destination: a fabled tomb on a mythical island that might be somewhere off the coast of Japan. But her mission will not be an easy one; just reaching the island will be extremely treacherous.

Suddenly, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Lara, who—against the odds and armed with only her sharp mind, blind faith and inherently stubborn spirit—must learn to push herself beyond her limits as she journeys into the unknown. If she survives this perilous adventure, it could be the making of her, earning her the name tomb raider.

TOMB RAIDER is directed by Roar Uthaug and stars Oscar winner Alicia Vikander in the lead role, Dominic West, Walton Goggins and Daniel Wu.

TOMB RAIDER releases in Australian cinemas on March 15, 2018.
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