Name: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Director: Simon West
Genre: action, adventure, fantasy
Released: 2001-06-07
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Daniel Craig, Iain Glen, Jon Voight

Overview

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Storyline

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) is an action-adventure film based on the hugely popular Tomb Raider video game franchise. Directed by Simon West, the film stars Angelina Jolie as the iconic archaeologist and adventurer Lara Croft.

The story follows Lara Croft, a wealthy British explorer who spends her time uncovering ancient relics and exploring forgotten tombs around the world. When a mysterious clock left behind by her late father begins to reveal secrets tied to a rare planetary alignment, Lara discovers that it is connected to a powerful ancient artifact known as the Triangle of Light.

This mystical object has the ability to control time itself, and it is being sought by the secret society known as the Illuminati. Determined to prevent the artifact from falling into the wrong hands, Lara embarks on a globe-trotting mission that takes her from England to Cambodia as she races to recover the pieces of the triangle before the Illuminati can use its power.

Combining action, mythology and treasure hunting, the film brought one of gaming’s most famous characters to the big screen for the first time.

action adventure fantasy

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Details Director, release, studio & more

Director: Simon West
Release: 06/07/2001
Runtime: 1 hr 40 min
Studio: Array
Content rating: 12
Universe: Dark Horse Comics
Last Updated: 12 May 2026

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CMDB Review

6/10

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Who's In It

Cast of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Angelina Jolie

Daniel Craig

Iain Glen

Jon Voight

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CMDB Review

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Review 6/10

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was one of the earliest attempts to successfully adapt a major video game franchise into a Hollywood blockbuster. While the film doesn’t fully capture the depth of the games, it succeeds in delivering a fun and visually impressive adventure.

Angelina Jolie was widely praised for her performance as Lara Croft. Her physical presence, confidence and dedication to the role helped bring the character to life, and she quickly became synonymous with the iconic adventurer during the early 2000s.

The movie features a number of memorable action sequences, including Lara battling a training robot in her mansion and exploring ancient ruins in Cambodia. Director Simon West focuses heavily on spectacle, delivering elaborate set pieces and stylish visuals.

However, the film struggles with pacing and a somewhat convoluted plot involving the Illuminati and time-manipulating artifacts. While entertaining, the story occasionally feels thin compared to the rich lore of the video games.

Despite its flaws, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider remains a nostalgic action film and an important early entry in the wave of video game movie adaptations. Comic Movie DB Rating: 6/10.

Did You Know?

The film is based on the popular Tomb Raider video game franchise, which first launched in 1996.
Angelina Jolie performed extensive training for the role, including martial arts, weapons handling and stunt work.
The character of Lara Croft was originally created by the video game company Core Design.
Filming took place in several international locations including England and Cambodia.
The opening scene featuring Lara battling a robot in her mansion became one of the film’s most memorable sequences.
Daniel Craig appears in the film as Alex West, years before he became famous as James Bond.
The film’s storyline revolves around the Triangle of Light, a mystical artifact capable of controlling time.
The movie was one of the highest-grossing video game adaptations at the time of its release.
The success of the film led to the sequel Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life in 2003.
The film helped establish Angelina Jolie as a major action star in Hollywood.