Sequels often struggle to match the quality of their predecessors, but Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – Cradle of Life is one of the few exceptions to this rule. On the other hand, this achievement may not be particularly impressive considering the lackluster performance of the first Lara Croft film.
The film follows the adventures of Lara Croft (played by Angelina Jolie), a British archaeologist and adventurer, as she embarks on a quest to recover the mythical Pandora's Box. Along the way, she teams up with Terry Sheridan (played by Gerard Butler), a former SAS soldier and her ex-lover, played by Gerard Butler. Together, they face off against the villainous Jonathan Reiss (played by Ciarán Hinds), scientist who seeks to unleash a deadly plague upon the world in order to purge it of "unworthy" people while keeping the antidote for himself.
The film was directed by Jan de Bont, a Dutch director known for his work on action films such as Speed. De Bont's background as a cinematographer is evident in the stunning visuals of Cradle of Life, which makes excellent use of locations in Kenya, Greece, and Hong Kong. The film's beautiful cinematography by David Tattersall represents film’s highlight. The script, written by Dean Georgaris, is less burdened by the protagonist's family history and the need to provide an origin story, allowing for a more focused and engaging plot. The slightly unexpected ending of the film further confirms its superiority over its predecessor.
One of the most interesting aspects of the film is the motive of the chief villain. His desire to unleash a deadly plague on the world while keeping the antidote for himself is a chilling concept. In light of certain recent events, this aspect of the film looks more convincing and disturbing than it did two decades ago.
Despite its strengths, Cradle of Life too often succumbs to silliness, such as in the infamous scene where Lara Croft punches a shark. The dialogue is often forgettable, and the same can be said of the characters. Angelina Jolie seems disinterested in her role, while Gerard Butler chews the scenery. Ciarán Hinds, however, delivers a solid performance as the villain, even if it is not particularly memorable.
Although receiving slightly better reviews than the original film, Cradle of Life fared worse at the box office. Angelina Jolie later claimed that she was not interested in repeating the role, while Jan De Bont decided to quit directing, effectively ending the film series. This coincided with the disastrous release of the video game Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness, which nearly destroyed the entire franchise. Lara Croft as an iconic character bounced back only with the highly regarded 2013 video game Tomb Raider, while in 2018, Alicia Vikander returned the character to the big screen in the eponymous film.
RATING: 4/10 (+)
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