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.
