Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft

Everybody loves the original Lara Croft. I don't get why hollywood writers always feel the need to steal respected IP then strip away all the edginess that made the character lovable and unique. They replaced Lara with the generic "strong female lead" personality we've seen in literally every other movie/show that's been released in the past 5 years. Oh, and this show's story/plot - you've also seen/heard the same slop a million times. Who keeps hiring these mid writers? Obviously, no one smart goes into writing anymore and there is a big lack of talent in the industry but still, it's wild how often this same generic slop is released and how rarely a good show is actually released like Dan Da Dan or Blue Eyed Samurai.

Instead of actually using the interesting strong female lead that they paid to licensed. The turned her into the most stereotypical and uninteresting character I've seen in a while. Writers you literally had this show tee'd up for you had you used Lara's original character but you still managed to strike out somehow.

Honestly if Tomb Raider wasn't in the title I would hardly ever realize this is Tomb Raider related.

There was maybe one episode where "Lara" didn't cry. There were zero episodes where she did something on her own, she always needed help from someone else.

The storyline was as generic as it can get. Serviceable, but generic.

The environments were very nice, but I generally disliked how the characters looked like. They all felt too cartoony for me and out of place with the environments.

This show also wouldn't exist if she used her guns from the beginning instead of the last 10 minutes of the last episode.

All in all, it's not terrible, but it's nothing to write home about either.

It seemed so weird that they decided to use a kids show animation house for something that should be R rated. Considering the games rating why would you be promoting the survivor trilogy to kids. If that wasn't the intention then the art style does not match. I was real excited to see the continuation but from the first episode there are plot holes. Like she is shocked to had to fight like it was the first time she has in her life. Considering it's a continuation and not a reboot we all know she's seen a lot worse. Also was disappointed the voice of Lara was not the same as in the game but Jonah was the same. I really wish they used the game engine that they already had. It would have been great with the art style of the games.

That's probably not a surprise for anyone who's played the more recent Tomb Raider reboot games. But I was hopeful we'd see a development in her character towards the independent, bad-ass thrill seeker she used to be in her previous iterations.

Not so. Instead, she retreads the same emotional beats she does in the game. And in some ways, even worse. She feels frumpy, downtrodden and guilt ridden. The fun, confident and witty Lara, who was so impeccably brought to life by Angelina Jolie is completely gone.

She's replaced by this sad sack, weepy, girl-next-door who just needs her friends to hug and support her.

On the plus side, the 2d animation and its integration into the 3d elements is very well done. The action scenes and their direction are fun and kinetic and feel like Lara Croft. The background and environments also look really good with lots of attention to detail. You can't fault the animators on this one. It's the writers who let Lara Croft down.

I was quite excited when the announcement was made and when the trailers were released, but now not so much.

Afzer the first episode I:m not interested at all. It doesn't seem like the way it's adapted here lends it very well to television or animation.

It starts with a bogus jump from Lara ala Dwayne Johnson in Skyscraper, then she cuts stone with her knife and runs around easily after getting bit into the feet by an aligator, which she killed, but the water is void of any blood.

You of course have more freedom with animation to do things a bit over the top, but this is just so far from reality. In the games and even the Alicia Vikander movie things were more grounded and it felt better.

Also the show doesn't seem to have an intro except the title in a weird looking 3D environment.

And you have opening credits while the show is running, which I always hate.

And it being Netflix they of course had to add the gayest black character anyone could think of in it without any reason.