---
title: "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider"
year: 2001
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/lara-croft-tomb-raider"
fi1m_id: "lara-croft-tomb-raider"
imdb_id: "tt0146316"
tmdb_id: 1995
wikidata_id: "Q464014"
fi1m_score: 48
critics_score: 44
critics_reviews: 12
published: "2026-10-05T02:29:39.319837+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T02:30:02.241133+00:00"
region: "BG"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

Directed by Simon West · 1h 40m · Adventure, Action, Fantasy

## Identity

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/lara-croft-tomb-raider
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** lara-croft-tomb-raider
- **IMDb ID:** tt0146316
- **TMDB ID:** 1995
- **Wikidata ID:** Q464014
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0146316/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1995, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q464014

**Fi1m score: 48** · Critics 44 from 12 reviews

*In a sentence:* A hundred minutes of evidence that casting Angelina Jolie was the easy part

> Angelina Jolie makes a persuasive Lara Croft, and Simon West supplies a few action sequences worth sitting up for. But the muddled plotting and thin supporting roles leave this adventure short of reasons to care.

## Synopsis

Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie) is born into wealth, groomed by the elite and trained for combat. Her story brings together Manfred Powell (Iain Glen), Alex West (Daniel Craig), Bryce (Noah Taylor) and Hillary (Chris Barrie), with Lord Richard Croft (Jon Voight) also among the characters. This is an action adventure with fantasy elements, centred on Lara and the abilities her upbringing has given her. Rachel Appleton plays Young Lara, while Julian Rhind-Tutt appears as Mr. Pimms and Leslie Phillips as Wilson.

## Review

Simon West’s *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider* is a thin adventure with a lead performance that deserves better company. Angelina Jolie makes the casting seem obvious, but the film rarely gives us a compelling reason to follow Lara from one burst of activity to the next. We get action and fantasy without much curiosity about what happens next. At 100 minutes, it should not be this easy to lose interest.

Angelina Jolie is convincing as a woman whose preparation for life has included combat training. There is enough authority in her performance to make Lara seem capable before the film has finished demonstrating it. The humour is less secure: her self-possession can harden into solemnity, leaving little sense of someone enjoying the adventure. Still, she holds our attention, and the film becomes noticeably less interesting whenever the supporting characters have to earn it for themselves.

John Zinman and Patrick Massett’s screenplay is the main difficulty. The plotting gives us too little reason to care, and the characters do not supply the interest that the story lacks. Iain Glen’s Manfred Powell and Daniel Craig’s Alex West should be worth watching in their own right; instead, neither makes much lasting impression. We do not need every adventure to provide an elaborate psychological history, but we do need the people in it to want things we can understand.

Peter Menzies’s cinematography makes the most of the lead’s presence, giving us ample opportunity to appreciate the casting. Kirk M. Petruccelli’s production design also helps make the film worth looking at, though the surroundings engage us more readily than anything being sought or risked within them. There is pleasure in the locations even when the story has lost our attention.

The gun battle briefly makes the enterprise feel worthwhile. We perked up, because Simon West gives this stretch enough energy to overcome our indifference to the story. Glen Scantlebury, Eric Strand, Mark Warner and Dallas Puett share the editing credit, and the cutting works better when there is an immediate physical task than when the film has to carry us towards another one. The sequence is enjoyable on its own, but it cannot supply the missing interest in the people involved.

Graeme Revell’s music helps the action along without making the danger particularly involving. The score can encourage excitement, but the screenplay has to establish why a setback matters, and too often we are left doing that work ourselves. The film’s occasional camp is more diverting than its attempts to be serious. A lighter touch would have given its capable lead more room to enjoy herself, and us more reason to enjoy her company.

For this sort of adventure, we would happily accept absurdity in return for clear goals, lively company and some pleasure in the discoveries. Here, getting Lara into action too often seems to have been considered enough. The performance and the better action passages offer modest compensation for the dull stretches between them. We would save the evening for something that gives its adventurer a story worth following.

*Fi1m score 48, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics find Lara Croft: Tomb Raider disappointing, with praise clustering around Angelina Jolie rather than the adventure built around her. Her casting, screen presence and command of the role earn approval even in several negative reviews. The action has some defenders, and the location work attracts praise, but neither produces much agreement that the film works as a whole. The recurring complaint is that Jolie has too little worthwhile material to work with.

The reviews differ sharply over how much she compensates for the weak story. Screen Daily finds her performance enough to lift a routine adventure, while Total Film sees a solid franchise-starter despite clumsy plotting and a disappointing climax. More hostile reviews describe the film as flat or tedious, with complaints centred on the script and direction. Jolie is not exempt: The Guardian finds her humourless, while Eye for Film questions both her athleticism and personality.

## Straight answers

**Is Lara Croft: Tomb Raider worth watching?**

*Lara Croft: Tomb Raider* is hard to recommend beyond Angelina Jolie’s persuasive lead performance and a few lively action passages; we score it 48/100. It offers modest pleasures for viewers chiefly interested in Jolie as Lara, but the muddled plotting and thin supporting characters make the stretches between fights dull.

**How long is Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and what is it rated?**

*Lara Croft: Tomb Raider* runs 1h 40m. It is an adventure and action film.

**Where can I watch Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in Bulgaria?**

*Lara Croft: Tomb Raider* is available to rent from Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video from лв 2.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and is it suitable for children?**

*Lara Croft: Tomb Raider* carries a UK 15 certificate, so it is not suitable for children under 15. The action includes a gun battle, though we find the danger less involving than the energetic staging; that is a judgement about suspense, not reassurance about the level of violence for younger or sensitive viewers.

**How does Lara Croft: Tomb Raider compare to Romancing the Stone?**

*Lara Croft: Tomb Raider* is the less satisfying adventure beside [*Romancing the Stone*](https://film.one/film/romancing-the-stone), which we recommend for its more companionable treasure hunt, stronger humour and characters worth following. Jolie gives Lara authority and the action has its moments, but Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas offer a romance with enough wit to make familiar plotting easier to forgive.

**What should I watch after Lara Croft: Tomb Raider?**

After *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider*, try [*Romancing the Stone*](https://film.one/film/romancing-the-stone) (1984, Fi1m 77): A more companionable treasure hunt, with jokes and characters worth following. Then [*The Mummy*](https://film.one/film/the-mummy) (1999, Fi1m 71): Ancient dangers, lively quarrelling and a clearer sense of why adventure should be fun; and [*Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*](https://film.one/film/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon) (2000, Fi1m 90): For action whose grace matters because the people fighting have something to lose.

### Reviews we read (12)

- **Screen Daily**, Emanuel Levy (75/100, inferred): The review is positive, finding that Angelina Jolie elevates an otherwise routine adventure. It singles out her splashy performance as the film’s main strength. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/lara-croft-tomb-raider/405954.article)
- **The New York Times**, Stephen Holden (64/100, inferred): The review text is inaccessible, so its verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint can be verified from the available page. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/15/movies/film-review-hey-guys-wanna-see-a-babe-swing-a-bungee.html)
- **Time Out**, NF (64/100, inferred): The page identifies this as a film review, but the review text is unavailable. Its verdict and any specifically praised or criticized element cannot be determined. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/lara-croft-tomb-raider-1)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Roger Ebert (2.5/4): Ebert gives the film a mixed verdict, finding it an entertaining action adventure despite its limitations. He singles out Angelina Jolie’s casting as a strength. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/lara-croft-tomb-raider-2001)
- **Total Film**, Total Film (3/5): The review calls it a solid franchise-starter, though its clumsy plotting and disappointing climax hold it back. It praises Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Lara and the energetic action sequences. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/lara-croft-tomb-raider-review/)
- **Empire**, Simon Braund (40/100, inferred): Braund finds the film disappointing despite some effective action. He praises the blazing gun battle but criticizes the lack of an engaging story and memorable characters. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/lara-croft-tomb-raider-review/)
- **Radio Times**, Andrew Collins (2/5): Collins says the adaptation fails to live up to expectations. He finds Angelina Jolie credible as Lara Croft but criticises the story as unsatisfying. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-3kdtno/lara-croft-tomb-raider/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Ed Gonzalez (1.5/4): Gonzalez finds the film boorish and lethargic, though its camp makes the melodrama entertaining. He praises Jolie’s commanding performance while lamenting that the film wastes her talents. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/lara-croft-tomb-raider/)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (25/100, inferred): Bradshaw finds the film weak, with action and style outweighing a coherent plot. He praises Angelina Jolie’s commanding screen presence but finds her portrayal humourless. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/jul/06/angelinajolie)
- **Variety**, Todd McCarthy (20/100, inferred): McCarthy finds the film flat, unimaginative and unlikely to satisfy either fans or general audiences. He praises Jolie’s embodiment of Lara and the distinctive location work, while criticizing the script and direction. [Read](https://variety.com/2001/film/reviews/lara-croft-tomb-raider-1200468801/)
- **Evening Standard** (15/100, inferred): The critic finds the film mindless, weak and tedious. They single out the filmmakers’ access to the Angkor Wat ruins as its only visually impressive feature. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/lara-croft-tomb-raider-7433210.html)
- **Eye for Film**, Angus Wolfe Murray (15/100, inferred): The critic gives the film a strongly negative verdict, finding its story nonsensical. He especially criticizes the plot and says Angelina Jolie’s portrayal lacks convincing athleticism and personality. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/lara-croft-tomb-raider-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray)

## Details

- **Director:** Simon West
- **Director:** Simon West
- **Screenplay:** Patrick Massett, John Zinman
- **Story:** Sara B. Cooper, Michael Colleary, Mike Werb
- **Cinematography:** Peter Menzies
- **Editor:** Mark Warner, Glen Scantlebury, Dallas Puett, Eric Strand
- **Music:** Graeme Revell
- **Production design:** Kirk M. Petruccelli
- **Costume design:** Lindy Hemming
- **Producer:** Lloyd Levin, Lawrence Gordon, Colin Wilson
- **Cast:** Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft; Iain Glen as Manfred Powell; Daniel Craig as Alex West; Noah Taylor as Bryce; Chris Barrie as Hillary; Jon Voight as Lord Richard Croft; Julian Rhind-Tutt as Mr. Pimms; Leslie Phillips as Wilson
- **Runtime:** 1h 40m
- **First release (Singapore):** 15 June 2001
- **Genres:** Adventure, Action, Fantasy
- **Budget:** $115 million
- **Box office:** $275 million

## Where to watch in Bulgaria

- Apple TV: rent лв 2.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent лв 3.99, uhd
- Apple TV: buy лв 5.99, sd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy лв 9.99, uhd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Romancing the Stone* (1984), Fi1m 77: A more companionable treasure hunt, with jokes and characters worth following. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/romancing-the-stone.md)
- *Armour of God* (1986): Treasure hunting where the physical comedy is as inventive as the action.
- *The Mummy* (1999), Fi1m 71: Ancient dangers, lively quarrelling and a clearer sense of why adventure should be fun. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-mummy.md)
- *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* (2000), Fi1m 90: For action whose grace matters because the people fighting have something to lose. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon.md)
- *The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec* (2010): Another resourceful heroine investigating ancient mysteries, with considerably more room for eccentricity.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/lara-croft-tomb-raider