The Story
The film follows the adventures of Lara Croft, a British
aristocrat, billionaire heiress, and passionate
archaeologist dedicated to discovering ancient relics.
When a rare planetary alignment approaches, Lara
discovers a mysterious clock hidden within her family
estate—an ancient artefact connected to the legendary
"Triangle of Light."
Following cryptic clues left by her late father, Lara
embarks on a globe-spanning quest to Cambodia and
Siberia to locate two halves of this powerful device.
She races against time with only 48 hours until the
planetary alignment grants the Triangle its ultimate
power—the ability to control time itself. Her mission:
find and destroy both pieces before the secret society
of Illuminati can harness this apocalyptic force.
Throughout her journey, Lara must navigate treacherous
ancient tombs, deadly traps, and betrayal from those
closest to her. The stakes couldn't be higher as she
battles to prevent the Triangle from falling into the
wrong hands and potentially ending civilisation as we
know it.
Lara Croft
Portrayed by: Angelina Jolie
Our fearless protagonist—a brilliant and resourceful
"tomb raider" who combines aristocratic privilege
with genuine archaeological expertise. Lara is
fiercely independent, expecting no one to rescue
her, and possesses remarkable physical prowess
matched only by her intellectual curiosity about
ancient civilisations.
Key traits: Acrobatic skills,
fluency in ancient languages, unwavering
determination
Manfred Powell
Portrayed by: Iain Glen
Initially appearing as Lara's trusted advisor,
Powell reveals himself as a high-ranking agent of
the Illuminati. Charming and sophisticated on the
surface, he becomes Lara's most dangerous
adversary—a man willing to destroy the world to
achieve ultimate power over time itself.
Role: Primary antagonist and leader
of the Illuminati conspiracy
Alex West
Portrayed by: Daniel Craig
An American archaeologist and Lara's former romantic
partner. Alex walks a fine line between loyalty and
self-preservation, working alongside Powell whilst
maintaining complex feelings for Lara. His ultimate
choice defines his character when the stakes reach
their peak.
Background: Professional rival
turned reluctant ally
Bryce
Portrayed by: Noah Taylor
Lara's closest friend and technical wizard,
providing essential computer expertise and gadgets.
As the creator of the SIMON artificial intelligence
prototype, Bryce represents the perfect blend of
loyalty and innovation, always ready to support
Lara's most ambitious expeditions.
Specialty: Technology expert and
loyal confidant
Hillary
Portrayed by: Chris Barrie
The devoted Croft family butler who has cared for
Lara since childhood. Hillary serves as both her
training partner and moral compass, often displaying
dry British wit whilst demonstrating unwavering
dedication to the family legacy.
Role: Butler, training assistant,
and surrogate father figure
Lord Richard Croft
Portrayed by: Jon Voight
Lara's late father, a distinguished researcher of
ancient legends whose work posthumously guides her
quest. Through recordings and spiritual visions,
Richard reveals crucial details about the Illuminati
conspiracy and provides the moral framework for
Lara's ultimate decision.
Legacy: Renowned explorer and
guardian of ancient secrets
Action and Cinematic Style
The film delivers exhilarating set pieces packed with
dynamic action sequences, elaborate fight choreography,
and breathtaking chase scenes. Critics particularly
praised certain visual effects, notably
"the colossal collapsing statue of the six-armed
goddess that springs to life in the depths of the
temple"
as a standout moment of spectacle.
However, the overall tone was perceived as
"a Hollywood descendant of Indiana Jones, stripped
of lightness and humour", creating a more serious, high-stakes atmosphere that
emphasised Lara's determination and the global
consequences of her mission.
The film's pacing brilliantly balances intimate
character moments with spectacular action, from the
iconic training sequence in Lara's mansion to the
climactic confrontation in the heart of an ancient
temple where past and present collide.