Laura Croft Tomb Raider

2001, Mutual Film Company et al

This unabashed Indiana Jones rip-off is also a video game adaptation, and curiously the kludge works pretty well. However, a generally shapeless story that carries no real emotional currency, and stunts that look more like awkward dance numbers, leave one wanting. Still, it's entertaining enough to make the popcorn go down easily; Angelina Jolie manages to make the most of her video game persona—I'm certain the male teen demo got their money's worth.

DKS 12/16/17

GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:

Almost Nice

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

2003, Mutual Film Company et al

Director Jan de Bont's swan song is a marginal improvement over its predecessor. The story is tighter and more interesting, the action less choreographed and more intense, although Jolie doesn't seem as committed to the role as before. A second sequel, The Angel of Darkness, was killed by a one-two punch: the video game on which it would be based was a disaster, and Jolie bowed out of the franchise.

DKS 12/16/17

GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:

Almost Nice

 

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