Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Lara Croft in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and its sequel, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003), is widely considered one of the most iconic performances in action film history. The role catapulted the actress into global superstardom and firmly established Lara Croft as one of the most recognizable video game characters in cinema. In this article, we’ll explore Angelina Jolie’s performance, the impact of the film, and the legacy of her portrayal of the beloved adventurer.
The Role of Lara Croft: An Introduction
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, based on the wildly popular video game franchise by Eidos Interactive, follows the adventures of Lara Croft, an English aristocrat and a daring adventurer. In the film, Lara embarks on a perilous mission to find an ancient artifact known as the “Triangle of Light.” This artifact has the power to manipulate time and space, and Lara must stop it from falling into the wrong hands. The plot is filled with breathtaking action sequences, mysterious locations, and puzzles, staying true to the nature of the video game.
Lara Croft, as depicted in the film, is a highly skilled archaeologist, athlete, and marksman. She is both a tomb raider and a protector of history, someone who can hold her own in intense combat scenarios but also values the significance of ancient relics and ruins. The character is a mixture of intelligence, physical strength, and bravery—traits that made her an excellent fit for Angelina Jolie, who would bring her own qualities to the role.
Angelina Jolie’s Casting: The Perfect Fit
The casting of Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft was both a bold and strategic decision. At the time, Jolie was an established actress, known for her performances in films like Girl, Interrupted (1999) for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. However, she had yet to prove herself in the action genre, which required a different set of skills. Despite this, Jolie’s casting was widely praised, as she had the look, attitude, and range to bring the iconic video game character to life.
In preparing for the role, Jolie had to undergo extensive training in physical conditioning, martial arts, rock climbing, and weaponry. The physical demands of the role were immense, and Jolie worked hard to match the athleticism of the video game character. In fact, her commitment to the physical training was so intense that she had to balance her regular acting duties with rigorous workouts.
To play Lara Croft, Jolie had to wear the character’s famous attire—tight-fitting tank tops, cargo pants, and combat boots. Her signature dual pistols, which became a staple of the Tomb Raider franchise, were also a key part of her look. But while the costume was essential, Jolie’s personal charisma, confidence, and determination elevated the character to new heights. She brought a sense of depth and vulnerability to Lara that made her feel more human despite her extraordinary abilities.
The Physical Transformation: Jolie’s Training Regimen
To embody the role of Lara Croft, Jolie had to undergo a grueling training process that included martial arts, rock climbing, weightlifting, and even underwater fight choreography. A significant portion of her physical preparation involved learning to use the various weapons that Lara Croft is known for—primarily guns, but also archery and knives.
Jolie’s transformation also included a strict diet and fitness routine to ensure that her body was as sculpted as the iconic character’s. She worked with fitness trainers and stunt coordinators to master complex fight sequences and climbing techniques. In several interviews, Jolie revealed that the physical challenges were both exciting and exhausting, but she was committed to giving the role everything she had. The result was a version of Lara Croft who was not just a beautiful, tough, and intelligent woman, but someone who was entirely believable as an action hero.
The Film’s Production: Bringing Lara Croft to Life
Directed by Simon West, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was produced on a relatively large budget for its time, which enabled the filmmakers to bring the adventurous world of Lara Croft to the big screen. Much of the film’s appeal lies in its fast-paced action, cutting-edge special effects, and stunning locations.
One of the most visually striking aspects of the film is its globe-trotting adventure. Lara visits multiple countries, including Cambodia, where she explores the famous Angkor Wat temples, and other exotic locations that emphasize the international scale of her missions. The film also introduced a variety of tombs, traps, and puzzles that mirrored the essence of the video games. These sequences not only showcased Lara’s acrobatic abilities but also her wit as she solved ancient riddles and navigated deadly environments.
The action in Tomb Raider was choreographed with care to ensure that it was both exciting and believable. There were high-intensity fight scenes, daring escapes, and plenty of moments that tested Lara’s physical and mental limits. The balance between action and character development was crucial, and while the film may have leaned more toward spectacle than deep emotional complexity, Jolie’s performance kept audiences engaged.
The Film’s Reception: Critical And Box Office Success
Upon release, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider received mixed reviews from critics. While many praised the film’s action sequences, visuals, and Jolie’s performance, others criticized the script and the film’s overall plot, which some felt was too formulaic. Despite the mixed reception, the film was a commercial success, grossing over $270 million worldwide against a production budget of approximately $115 million.
Jolie’s performance was universally lauded, with many noting how she perfectly embodied the character’s strength, intelligence, and independence. She brought a sense of dignity to Lara Croft, elevating her from a video game character into a cinematic icon. The film’s success also set the stage for a sequel, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003), which continued Lara’s adventures on another action-packed journey.
The Legacy of Angelina Jolie’s Lara Croft
Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Lara Croft left a lasting impact on both the Tomb Raider franchise and the action movie genre. At the time, female action heroes were still relatively rare in Hollywood, and Lara Croft helped pave the way for future strong female leads in blockbuster films. Jolie’s version of Lara Croft was multifaceted—she was tough, but also vulnerable; fearless, but capable of compassion.
Her portrayal of Lara Croft helped solidify the importance of strong female characters in mainstream cinema. In the years following her performance, other actresses took on similar roles, but none quite captured the essence of Lara Croft in the way that Jolie did. The character became a feminist icon, and Jolie’s influence on her was undeniable.
In addition to inspiring future action heroes, Jolie’s work in Tomb Raider solidified her place as one of Hollywood’s leading actresses. Her ability to successfully blend action with emotional depth ensured that she remained a major box office draw. Moreover, her role as Lara Croft was a springboard for her other diverse roles in films such as Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), Wanted (2008), and Salt (2010).
The Impact on the Tomb Raider Franchise
Jolie’s portrayal of Lara Croft remained the face of the Tomb Raider franchise for many years, even influencing the direction of the video games. The character’s design in the early 2000s video games was heavily inspired by Jolie’s portrayal, and many fans of the series continue to associate her with the role.
In 2018, the Tomb Raider franchise was rebooted, with Alicia Vikander taking on the role of Lara Croft. While Vikander’s portrayal was different, it is clear that Jolie’s influence had a lasting effect on the character’s evolution in both film and video games.
The Tomb Raider films also sparked the continued popularity of video game adaptations in Hollywood. Despite the varying degrees of success for such adaptations, the Tomb Raider films demonstrated that video games could be successfully translated into major motion pictures with the right casting, direction, and production value.
Conclusion
Angelina Jolie’s role as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider and its sequel remains one of her most iconic and beloved performances. Her physical transformation, dedication to the role, and ability to capture the essence of the character made her portrayal unforgettable. The success of Tomb Raider helped to redefine the action hero archetype, especially for female characters, and set the stage for future film adaptations of video game franchises.
Jolie’s version of Lara Croft continues to inspire both fans of the franchise and those who appreciate strong, multifaceted female characters in cinema. Her impact on the Tomb Raider franchise and the action genre cannot be overstated, and her portrayal of Lara Croft will forever be regarded as one of the defining moments of her career.
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