«Tomb Raider», the beginning of the adventure

Cinema Wednesdays - Nicolas Jutzet

Lara Croft, a radiant young woman who is as determined as can be, refuses to accept the death of her father, who disappeared ten years earlier during a trip to Asia. Although he was often absent, her father had nevertheless managed to forge a strong bond with his daughter, who is now struggling to come to terms with his death. What could be more logical, given the lack of an investigation and a body?

The heroine, who has been at odds with her wealthy family ever since, must fend for herself—and, in particular, pay her dues at the boxing club, where she can channel both her vitality and her hatred. This is an absolute necessity. For without her signature, her father’s substantial inheritance—the family castle and numerous businesses—remains stuck in an unpleasant limbo for everyone involved. Legally, her father’s death must be validated by the signature of his biological heir.

In Search of an Absent Father Who Later Disappeared

At the time of his disappearance, the head of the family had set out in search of Queen Himiko’s tomb on the island of Yamatai, south of Japan. However, this remote island lies in treacherous and raging waters—the turbulent Sea of the Devil. Possessing malevolent powers, Queen Himiko must not be discovered by individuals whose intentions are less noble than those of the adventurer and father of Lara Croft. His unexplained disappearance suggests that either nature or an encounter stopped the reckless conquistador in his tracks.

Far from being afraid, Lara hesitates. Why not go and see for herself, right there, if she can unravel the mystery? Is her father really dead? With her mind made up, she sets off. Along the way, she teams up with the son of the sailor who had once served as a guide to her own father. Together, aboard the same boat as back then, they decide to face fate and the choppy waters of the Devil’s Sea. A decade later, here they go again—but this time without the experience, expertise, or wisdom they once had.

The Island of Yamatai: A Self-Contained Plot

After an earthquake and a shipwreck—which separate the two protagonists, causing them to lose sight of one another—they finally manage to reach dry land. Unfortunately, far from being friendly, the welcome they receive is hostile. They are taken prisoner. Once there, it quickly becomes clear that there are far more people searching for the Holy Grail than expected. Held captive by the group’s leader, Lara Croft manages—with great difficulty and after sustaining injuries—to free herself from the clutches of the malicious militia. She flees. Alone in the middle of nowhere, weakened by what appears to be a serious injury, she thinks she spots a man—who looks like a hermit—in the twilight. She decides to try to follow his trail… The rest of the story unfolds from there.

The beginning of a long series?

The final scene clearly suggests that a sequel is in the works. Let’s hope we’ll see the talented and compelling Alicia Vikander again, who stands out in what is ultimately a rather bland cast.  With her fluid performance and piercing gaze, she adds significant value to the film, though she doesn’t quite manage to fully break free from her somewhat childish «daughter of» role, which detracts—if only slightly—from the film’s overall impact.

Write to the author: nicolas.jutzet@lereregardlibre.com

Photo credit: © Warner Bros