The concept of films based on video games has been around for decades. A genre that has consistently been filled with both constant anticipation and disappointment. Starting in the 90’s with Super Mario Bros., the genre has failed to not only live up to its anticipation but has failed to release a mediocre film. From Mortal Kombat, to Silent Hill, and 2016’s Assassins Creed, not only has the genre failed to provide a mediocre film, but out of the 34 video game films released, none of those films have a fresh rating on rotten tomatoes, leading to the idea that stating the genre has been a disappointment is an understatement.

One franchise that attempted to break the video game film curse was the widely popular 1990’s video game franchise, Tomb Raider. Its first attempt was back in 2001 with the Angelina Jolee starring film that while making a decent impact on the box office, failed to live up to the game’s puzzles and adventure themes, instead of becoming a sexual exploitation of its female lead Lara Croft. The films box office success led to a sequel in 2003, which like its predecessor was critically planned with a 24 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

As we entered the 2010’s a new version of Tomb Raider was released. This time around, the developers of the game took a much more serious approach to not only the games plot but the portrayal if its protagonist Lara Croft. While widely popular, the game never developed its lead character as best as it could. The new version of the game received positive reviews and ultimately lead to the latest attempt at a video game film, Tomb Raider. This time around, Lara Croft would be played by Academy Award winner Alicia Vikander and the film would focus on the origin of Lara Croft.

While the 2001’s version of Tomb Raider opened with Jolie’s Lara Croft fighting a giant robot to retrieve a priceless diamond, the 2018 version shows Croft struggling with everyday life, barely making ends meet as a bicycle courier because she refuses to admit her father is dead and lay claim to her spectacular inheritance. The change in tone is seen immediately and is a welcome change to a franchise that attempted to consistently be over the top instead of focusing on character development.

This version of Tomb Raider removes the nothing short of stupid traps from its predecessor and replaces with puzzles and survival tales that not only brings memories of the 2013 version of the game but the Uncharted franchise as well.

Vikander’s performance in this film shows why she is one of the best leading ladies in Hollywood. Her version of Croft shows vulnerability as she struggles with accepting her father’s death, yet able to still bring out a toughness and intelligence that makes this version of Croft a potential role models for little girls all around the world.

While the film is able to surpass the “terrible video game” cliche, it is not without its flaws. While the original title has always been seen as a knock-off of Indiana Jones, the father-daughter dynamic is quite similar to the father-son relationship seen in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The cherry on top comes with its finale that channels the ghost of Raiders Of The Lost Ark.

Along with the similarities to Indy, the film’s villain comes off very flat. While Walter Goggins performance is on par with his consistent solid portrayals, it was only a matter of when not if Lara would be able to overcome the odds, which adds to the films flat climax.

While many have also praised the films tone change, it still suffers from Croft overcoming certain odds that are only believable when played in a video game. While some see it as a flaw, I look at it this way, If John McClain can overcome a jet in Live Free or Die Hard on a highway, and people called it fun, whats the difference of Lara Croft does the same.

Tomb Raider is a step in a the right direction for a genre desperately needing a turn-in critical performance. While nothing to boast about with 34 films in the genre thus far, the 50 percent rating on rotten tomatoes, makes Tomb Raider the best video game film thus far.

Reel Talk gives Tomb Raider 2.5 reels