Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life

Right now you can watch Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life in Australia on Paramount Plus, and in the US on fuboTV and Paramount+ Amazon Channel — and it goes further with its ideas than most genre entertainment bothers to. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. 4,550 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Watch it for Angelina Jolie — the performance elevates material that could easily tip into self-seriousness. Put it on tonight on Paramount Plus and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life is worth clearing space for. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life treats its concept seriously enough to follow it all the way through. Off the coast of the volcanic island of Santorini, the intrepid archaeologist Lara Croft makes the unexpected discovery of a pulsating golden orb able to guide its holder to the mythical Pandora's Box. As the legendary artifact contains ancient mysteries of unfathomable power - said to contain one of the deadliest plagues on Earth, Lara is tasked by MI6 to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands. With the aid of former Marine turned mercenary Terry Sheridan, she travels the world in pursuit of the precious item in a race against time; she must beat the unscrupulous Nobel Prize-winning scientist turned bioterrorist, Jonathan Reiss, to it. The human element stays intact thanks to Angelina Jolie and Gerard Butler, who anchor every scene. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life came out in 2003. What separates Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life from lesser genre entertainment is a willingness to let the concept cost the characters something. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For late-night viewing or a proper weekend binge, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life fits the bill. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Watch for Angelina Jolie in particular — the performance elevates the material. Satisfying on multiple levels.