Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft crushed high expectations finally Here
tomb raider: the legend of lara croft did not meet fans expectations especially pure anime lovers
By Sajar Nafees
14 October 2024
Tomb Raider: the legend of lara croft just came out a day ago and it seems like anime lovers all over the world are a tad bit disappointed. Maybe even more than just a tad. Tomb Raider: the legend of lara croft or the Tomb Raider anime is based on the Tomb Raider video game series by Crystal Dynamics.
Netflix is the platform that has debuted the tomb raider anime series starring Hailey Atwell voicing Lara Croft herself. A great actress, a famed character and on a service with a solid history of animated game adaptations.
But tomb raider on the other hand did not seem to attract the audience much. Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft has made its debut to disappointingly average reception, earning a 62% from critics and a 60% audience rating. It entered Netflix’s Top 10 at #9, a modest start, but it’s likely that its position may drop rather than improve over time.
The story picks up with Lara after Shadow of the Tomb Raider, as she tries to move past the losses from her earlier missions by focusing on clearing out Croft Manor. When a sacred artifact is stolen, Lara embarks on a new adventure to recover it, staying true to her vow to protect the world’s secrets. Familiar faces join her, including Jonah (with Earl Baylon returning from the game), and there are nods to characters like Sam, Roth, and her father, Richard Croft. While knowledge of the games adds depth, it’s not necessary to enjoy Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft. Fans of the franchise will appreciate the numerous Easter eggs and references throughout the series.
What added to the disappointment of fans was the absence of Camilla Luddington from the cast of tomb raider the legend of lara croft, who voiced Lara in the Survivor trilogy. However, Hayley Atwell (from Captain America: The First Avenger) takes on the role of Lara Croft seamlessly, as if she were made for it. Whenever the facial animations lack depth, Atwell’s powerful vocal performance steps in, conveying Lara’s humor, vulnerability, and strength. Richard Armitage also shines as the villain, Charles Devereaux, avoiding the trap of becoming a flat stereotype and instead becoming an excellent counterbalance to Lara’s character in the tomb raider anime.
Lara’s eight-episode quest to stop Devereaux and recover the stones delivers what fans expect from Tomb Raider, taking viewers to various global locations. From Croft Manor, which Lara seems reluctant to settle into, to a British museum, and distant places like China, Paris, Pasargadae, and Mongolia, the series covers plenty of ground. Fans of the games might recognize a few of these locations, offering a nice nod to the original source material. Each episode introduces a new setting, keeping the visuals fresh and avoiding repetitiveness. Naturally, tombs are raided, and adventures unfold, with decent action and occasional humor (a standout being Lara’s comedic attempt to navigate around a family of tourists at a theme park in episode six). However, the animation falls short of making these moments visually compelling. Many backgrounds are static, which might have been forgivable if the series embraced a retro ‘70s or ‘80s animation style. Instead, the show feels cheaply made, with mismatched 3D animation standing out awkwardly. Additionally, Lara’s friends, aside from Jonah, aren’t given much depth or opportunity to rise above their generic sidekick roles.
We haven’t received any comments on the reviews from the makers yet but fans are eagerly waiting to see how they react and if they take it as constructive criticism or not.
Cast of tomb raider the legend of lara croft or tomb raider the legend of lara croft voice actors include Hayley Atwell as Lara Croft, Earl Baylon as Jonah Maiavah, and Allen Maldonado as Zip.