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Dark Horse Comics

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life

2003 1 hr 57 min 12 action adventure

6/10

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Overview

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life Storyline

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life (2003) is the sequel to the 2001 adventure film based on the iconic video game franchise Tomb Raider. Directed by Jan de Bont and starring Angelina Jolie as the legendary adventurer Lara Croft, the film follows the globetrotting archaeologist as she races to locate a mythical artifact known as Pandora’s Box before it falls into dangerous hands.

The story begins when an underwater earthquake near Greece reveals the long-lost Temple of Luna, hiding clues to the location of Pandora’s Box — an ancient object believed to contain a devastating biological weapon. When ruthless scientist and bioweapons dealer Jonathan Reiss seeks to exploit the artifact, Lara is recruited by British intelligence to track him down.

To stop Reiss, Lara reluctantly partners with her former lover, mercenary Terry Sheridan, played by Gerard Butler. Their mission takes them across the globe, from Hong Kong skyscrapers to African jungles, as they attempt to prevent a catastrophe that could threaten humanity.

Packed with action, exotic locations and classic treasure-hunting adventure, the film continues the cinematic journey of one of gaming’s most famous characters.

Director Jan de Bont

Released 22/08/2003

Runtime 1 hr 57 min

Genres action adventure

Rated 12

Studio Array

Universe Dark Horse Comics

Updated 12 May 2026

Where to Watch

Angelina Jolie

Ciarán Hinds

Djimon Hounsou

Garard Butler

We have rated this 6 out of 10. The Cradle of Life leans heavily into the adventurous spirit that made Lara Croft such an iconic character. While the first Tomb Raider film introduced audiences to the heroine’s world, this sequel attempts to refine the formula with bigger action sequences and a more traditional spy-thriller storyline.

Angelina Jolie once again delivers a charismatic performance as Lara Croft, capturing both the confidence and wit that fans associate with the character. Her physical presence and stunt work remain a highlight throughout the film.

The movie benefits from a wide range of exotic locations and large-scale action set pieces, including underwater ruins, motorcycle chases and jungle firefights. Director Jan de Bont — known for directing Speed — brings a fast-paced style to the adventure.

However, the story sometimes feels predictable, and the plot surrounding Pandora’s Box lacks the mythological depth it could have explored. Despite this, the film remains an entertaining action adventure and a solid entry in the early 2000s era of video game adaptations.

For fans of Lara Croft and globe-trotting adventure films, The Cradle of Life delivers plenty of spectacle and classic treasure-hunt excitement.

Did You Know?

The film is a sequel to Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, which helped launch the trend of big-budget video game adaptations in the early 2000s.
Angelina Jolie performed many of her own stunts during filming, including several action scenes involving wire work and underwater sequences.
The movie was filmed in multiple international locations including Greece, Hong Kong, Kenya and Tanzania.
Gerard Butler was cast as Terry Sheridan before he became widely known for his later role in 300.
The plot revolves around Pandora’s Box, a mythological object from Greek mythology believed to contain the world’s evils.
Director Jan de Bont previously directed action hits like Speed and Twister.
The underwater opening sequence required a massive water tank set built specifically for the production.
The character Lara Croft originally appeared in the video game Tomb Raider, first released by Eidos Interactive in 1996.
The film’s action scenes were inspired by classic adventure movies such as Indiana Jones.
Despite mixed reviews from critics, the movie developed a following among fans of the Tomb Raider franchise.

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