--- title: "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/lara-croft-tomb-raider/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/lara-croft-tomb-raider" critics_score: 44 critics_reviews: 12 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): what the critics said Critics' score 44 from 12 reviews: 1 positive, 4 mixed, 7 negative. 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. ## Screen Daily — Emanuel Levy Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 13 June 2001. 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 the review](https://www.screendaily.com/lara-croft-tomb-raider/405954.article) ## The New York Times — Stephen Holden Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 15 June 2001. The review text is inaccessible, so its verdict cannot be determined. No specific praise or complaint can be verified from the available page. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/15/movies/film-review-hey-guys-wanna-see-a-babe-swing-a-bungee.html) ## Time Out — NF Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 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 the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/lara-croft-tomb-raider-1) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 2.5/4. 15 June 2001. 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 the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/lara-croft-tomb-raider-2001) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 3/5. 6 July 2001. 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 the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/lara-croft-tomb-raider-review/) ## Empire — Simon Braund Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. 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 the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/lara-croft-tomb-raider-review/) ## Radio Times — Andrew Collins Rating 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 the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-3kdtno/lara-croft-tomb-raider/) ## Slant Magazine — Ed Gonzalez Rating 1.5/4. 15 June 2001. 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 the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/lara-croft-tomb-raider/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 6 July 2001. 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 the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/jul/06/angelinajolie) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 14 June 2001. 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 the review](https://variety.com/2001/film/reviews/lara-croft-tomb-raider-1200468801/) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 15/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. 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 the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/lara-croft-tomb-raider-7433210.html) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 15/100 (inferred from the text). 5 July 2001. 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 the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/lara-croft-tomb-raider-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/lara-croft-tomb-raider.md