First of all, let's all remember that this is a fan-made movie. It is not Tomb Raider 3 with Angelina Jolie.
Let's compare it to the Hollywood Tomb Raiders... Is the acting great? Not really (although it's really not that bad). Is the action choreography great? Not really (although it's really not that bad). Let's compare it to other fan-films... Is the acting great? Oh, yes. Is the action choreography great? Oh, yes.
I went into the original Tomb Raider with VERY low expectations. I am a huge fan of the Tomb Raider game series and I've seen many game-movie conversions that were terrible. I walked out of the theater pleasantly surprised. I watched the second one and didn't think it was quite as good, but still worthy of watching.
I found out about this (again I say) fan-made film, downloaded it, and watched it immediately. I was, once again, pleasantly surprised. This is not a big-budget film. It's some people that like the Tomb Raider universe and wanted to make a prequel. I think they did a fantastic job with it. I felt some level of care for the young Lara (something I can say I haven't experience with many Hollywood movies). I liked that she actually spoke with a British accent (what a concept). The fight scenes were well put together (while maybe lacking some realism). Honestly, the only part of the movie that I can expressly say that I didn't like was the special effects when she put the two artifacts together (the yellow light bit). Personally, I don't like things trying to be what they aren't. I have a set of speakers that have MDF enclosures, but they have a vinyl, wood-grained, wrap. I'd rather the MDF just be painted flat black.
Really, though, let's take this movie as what it is. It is a well-placed attempt to give fans something else to enjoy. I thank them and hope another will come, in the future.
