'Tomb Raider' (2018): Why You Should Care!

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider has and always will have a soft spot in my heart. Beginning at a young age, the Tomb Raider games were some of my all time favorite adventures. This was before the internet and googling puzzles children, this was a time when you would have to stop, take a break, go out to eat, vacuum, do the dishes, take a nap and right as you woke up your brain would go, "Oh! That's how I do it!" Ah better times, simpler times. But as time went on, so did Lara. With new adventures, new outfits and reboots. The latest 2013 reboot didn't upset though, and fans all over embraced the new story and new adventure of playing as Lara again.

In 2001, we had our first film taste of Tomb Raider, starring Angelina Jolie. That was 17 years ago? No, get out of here. It was a financial success and warranted a lesser valued sequel. Though the films were filled to the brim with easter eggs, nods to the game, and "a-ha" moments, many felt it lacked a truly compelling story and adventure. Don't get me wrong, I don't change the channel if it's on. I enjoy the film for what it is, and the nods and easter eggs were a lot of fun in 2001. However, a new reboot offers a chance at telling a new and exciting story, for gamers and movie watchers alike.

Ever since the first whisper of a Lara Croft: Tomb Raider reboot was heard it was almost swept under the rug it seemed. Why isn't this a bigger deal to people and have most written it off already? Video game adaptations are without a doubt easy to look past with such a "meh" record to date. Very few have come close to capturing the essence and joy of the source material and bringing any sort of resemblance of life to the big screen. Within those films though, there are flashes of something great, almost capturing a look, or feeling and within the blink of an eye are gone. For instance, Lara's first incantation on film had such glimpses. Just look at Angelina Jolie's appearance in some scenes.

Angelina Jolie's Portrayal

She had the dual guns, the shorts, the pony tail. It was all there, but the look isn't enough as history has shown us. There has to be a believable story, something we can relate our favorite game characters to, and not stray far from the original material. Unfortunately, this has happened far too frequently but I believe there is hope with our new Lara. With a bright cast (Alicia Vikander!), a fresh director, and of course, direct inspiration from the 2013 video game reboot of Tomb Raider, there's not reason we cannot have nice things!

Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft

Just look at the side by side comparison! Tomb Raider will follow along the same story as the 2013 video game and even features her climbers axe and bow in hand! Like I mentioned before though, looks aren't everything. Lara Croft will be portrayed by Oscar winning actress Alicia Vikander (Lara, both times has been portrayed by an Oscar winner!) and have an excellent cast surrounding her. Walton Goggins, Nick Frost, and Daniel Wu are all included in said cast, and look to be brilliant. From the trailer it appears Goggins will be portraying the main villain, no surprise there. Nick Frost and Daniel Wu will be supporting our heroine.

Tomb Raider will be directed by fresh blood Roar Uthaug, a Norwegian film director. Why is this good you ask? It's a man wanting to make a name for himself in the American market. I compare it to Hong Kong directors bringing their film making style here. Uthaug will bring with him something unique and new to us and deliver us a video game adaptation worth watching.

2013 gave us a second clear reboot of the Lara Croft character and was met with much praise. It merited an immediate sequel and now this exciting look at a feature film. I can not urge film lovers and fans enough to go to the theater and support this film when it comes out March 16 this year. Video game adaptations have slowly been getting better with their story telling and faithfulness to characters. We are in an era of Marvel and DC superheroes flooding our screens, now is the perfect time for our video game heroes to flourish as well. If you haven't yet, please watch the trailer for Tomb Raider right below here.

Who is Lara Croft and what does she do? Watch the trailer again. She's the female Indiana Jones. She searches for lost relics and treasures, deciphers puzzles and dodges traps! It looks like all the pieces are there, and I'm excited for the Indiana-esque traps, and hopefully she'll have to go through Summit Forrest undetected or Shantytown so as we can relive the pain of playing through those.

I hope you give Tomb Raider a chance, as it appears to be made as a proper video game adaption that we deserve. Are you excited for Tomb Raider?