Lara Croft is Back With a Bang – But There Are Real Tomb Raiders Out There

Bibliographic Information

Title

Lara Croft is Back With a Bang - But There Are Real Tomb Raiders Out There

Blog Title

The Conversation

Author(s)

Finn, Ellen

Parent Organization

The Conversation Canada

Month of Post Publication

March

Year of Post Publication

2018

Web Address (URL)

https://theconversation.com/lara-croft-is-back-with-a-bang-but-there-are-real-tomb-raiders-out-there-92629

Additional Information

Type of Source

Blog Post

Blog Tagline

Academic Rigour, Journalistic Flair

Notes

Seventeen years since Angelina Jolie appeared on screens as the avatar-turned-adventurer and an astounding 22 years since the release of the original video game, Swedish actress Alicia Vikander is continuing the franchise in the blockbuster reboot of Tomb Raider.

The latest reincarnation of Croft is intelligent, athletic and primed for action. However, this time around filmmakers have thankfully ditched her previous shorts and crop-top for utilitarian trousers. It’s a welcome change, especially in light of the claims of over-sexualisation of Karen Gillan’s character in the recent Jumanji 2.

As the original “tomb raider”, Lara’s relationship with archaeology is just about as precarious as the many situations in which she finds herself. Over the decades, in various film and game adaptations, Croft has either been an archaeologist in her own right or has been charged with continuing a quest left to her by a male archaeologist relative – this time her deceased father (played by Dominic West). The film’s action begins with the opening of his tomb – Croft entering a hard-won code to gain entry into what reveals itself to be her father’s secret study, a space resplendent with pseudo-archaeological figurines and antiquarian-style boxes.

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