gamers- Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft & theTomb Raider movie

In My Humble Opinion
1

Angelina Jolie has signed to play Lara Croft and is currently in conditioning/training for the role. Shooting begins sometime before fall of this year. Do you think she will be good as Lara Croft? Do you think the film will be good/do well or tank?

Jolie has the look, the bod, and the attitude of Lara, and even some of Lara’s trademark mannerisms, like raising one eyebrow, but I have serious doubts as to whether she can effectively fake the English accent.

To my knowledge, everything I heard/read of the film, so far, is positive and I have good expectations. Personally, I would’ve like to have seen Catherine Zeta Jones play Lara Croft instead, or Lucy Lawless would be good too.

2

::voguevixen sticks her finger down her throat at the mention of Angelina Jolie::

3

I think she’ll be able to handle the accent. There are trainers for that sort of thing, for one. She was married to a Brit and lived in England for a while, as well, so I’m pretty certain she’s heard it enough to effectively emulate it.

I always thought she’d be the one to get the part, and I adore and worship her, so I’m pretty happy about it. :slight_smile:

4

I hate to say this, but AJ sorta gives me the creeps. Her eyes seem red-rimmed; I wanna throw some claritin at her and tell her to get some sleep.

5

I just informed the prepubescent gamer (eleven-year-old) in our house. He had a classic response:
“Great. Now it’ll be all PASSIONATE.”
Maybe not, I say.
“Oh, yeah…with those LIPS? C’mon.”
But there’s no real main male character. If they follow the game at all, it might not be like you think.
“Right. There better not be. That’s the coolest thing about Lara. Anybody might have a chance with her.”

I’m calling the husband right now. We’re going to have a long talk with the boy tonight. Thanks, Lara.

6

I’ve always thought that Linda Hamilton, in the condition she was in for Terminator 2, would have been a superb Lara Croft. But, so many years later, I guess that’s not really an option now…

7

I think physically she’s an outstanding choice and should easily be able to pull off the prototypical Lara Croft mannerisms and 'tude. Lucy Lawless would be too cartoony, Catherine Zeta-Jones lacks the necessary edge. I think Angelina will make a fabulous Lara Croft.

Is the accent really that important? I’m sure she can do it, but even if they decide to drop it, isn’t the most important thing that the person be able to bring the character’s personality to life, not whether they fit all the details exactly? Or maybe that’s another thread . . .

8

Don’t get me wrong, I think AJ is a great actress, and would make a great Lara Croft, but with the track record of video games to movies (e.g. wing commander, super mario bros.), I just don’t have high hopes for it.

9

I don’t really think so. If for no other reason that all Lara ever says in the game is “a-ha!” or “no.” Yeah, we all know she’s British, but it isn’t a crucial part of character or plot.

Anyway, if they’re insisting on a believable accent, Ang must have been able to do it, otherwise the part would have gone to Elizabeth Hurley or Nicole Kidman or something.

And Vandal, you’re probably on the right track, however, given the number of people (ok, yeah, I meant to say “guys”) who have hard-ons for both Angelina Jolie AND Lara Croft, I don’t see it doing too terribly at the box office.

10

I think this post shows a lack of understanding of the movie business, Hollywood, and the target audience for “Lara Croft: the movie.” My guess is that the primary criteria for choosing the actress is that she be thin, pretty and have big breasts, and all other considerations will be secondary.

11

I think Angelina will do, although I personally had my hopes set on Elizabeth Hurley.

Lara is my girl!

12

Angelina Jolie is a good choice, she’s not a major movie star and she fits the bill physically.

The film will probably be awful. Even if they don’t mess with things we know about Lara from the games (e.g. give her an American accent, a poor childhood on the streets in New York, a comedy sidekick, forget she can fly a plane because the plot demands it, etc. etc.) they have the same problems you get when making films based on books. The Lara Croft character is only a vague set of impressions from the game - everything else is filled in by the imagination of the players. When the director’s version of Lara Croft is different from yours, it doesn’t ring true to you and the film is disappointing.
Edwardina said:

“Is the accent really that important? I’m sure she can do it, but even if they decide to drop it, isn’t the most important thing that the person be able to bring the character’s personality to life, not whether they fit all the details exactly? Or maybe that’s another thread.”

I think you’re right, but to me the accent IS important too. Suppose Paul Hogan did a superb performance as Billy the Kid, but with his Australian accent? For me, that’s like someone jabbing their finger in my eye all through the movie! Lara DOESN’T just say “aha!” or “no!” in the games, there are linking “mini-movies” and animations to advance the plot and a hundred-million gamers have seen them.
Arnold Winkelried said:

“I think this post shows a lack of understanding of the movie business, Hollywood, and the target audience for “Lara Croft: the movie.” My guess is that the primary criteria for choosing the actress is that she be thin, pretty and have big breasts, and all other considerations will be secondary.”

Yup, and that’s a shame. I can’t think of a single good action movie with a female lead (well, maybe Alien). Here we have a female character who can run, climb, swim, fight, shoot, drive a boat, ride a motorbike, fly a plane, parachute, use a computer, and read Atlantean heiroglyphics among other things. A golden opportunity! But all the marketing and publicity will be about… tits.

13

Elizabeth Hurley? She’s a wimp! She’s no Lara.

AJ is a good choice. Kinda looks like her. And if she gets all buffed out for the movie, she will be great in the role.

Her lips bug me though. I always think of Goldie Hawn, post collagen injections in that man-hater movie with Bette Midler. “Bornin’ Buhammed!”