Common Sense Media Review
A bit better than original; lots of graphic violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life
What's the Story?
Angelina Jolie plays Lady Lara Croft, archeologist/adventurer. Off the coast of Santorini, she discovers an ancient sunken library. Just as she reaches for a glowing yellow orb, the bad guys arrive. The orb is a map to Pandora's Box. This Pandora's Box contains virulent biological agents that will unleash a plague on the world. Jonathan Reiss (Ciaran Hinds), a former Nobel Prize winner turned international dealer in biological weapons, wants what's in the box and Lara, at the request of the Queen, wants to stop him.
Is It Any Good?
It has a better plot, better characters, and better acting than the first movie, but let's be honest: No one is going to see this movie for the plot, characters, and acting. The audience for this movie wants to see the movie version of the popular computer game, with Angelina Jolie in very tight clothes decking, kicking, and shooting as many bad guys as possible. All of that is there, and the distractions of plot, character, and acting barely get in the way.
Director Jan de Bont (Twister, Speed) knows how to stage action, and there are some genuine thrills, especially when Lara and Terry don flying suits that have them soaring through the air like Rocky the Flying Squirrel. Jolie is always fun to watch. But the computer-game origins of the movie are replicated in the staged level-style series of action sequences, and that removes any narrative momentum.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Lara decides what's important to her. Is she a good role model? Why or why not?
Did the violence seem necessary to the story, or did it seem gratuitous and perhaps intended to reflect the violence of the video game?
How were different cultures represented in the movie? Did it seem accurate and respectful of these cultures, or did it seem to resort to stereotyping?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 25, 2003
- On DVD or streaming : November 18, 2003
- Cast : Angelina Jolie , Djimon Hounsou , Gerard Butler
- Director : Jan De Bont
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 116 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : action violence and some sensuality
- Last updated : August 1, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate