Series Review - Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft

Length: 8 episodes at 30 minutes

Starring: Hayley Atwell (Lara Croft), Allen Maldonado (Zip), Earl Baylon (Jonah), Karen Fukuhara (Sam), Q-T Fagbenle (Eshu)

Animation Studio: Powerhouse Animation, Netflix Animation Studios

Genre: Adult Animation, Action, Thriller

Where to Watch: Netflix

Lara is back, but unfortunately, not for long. Coming off the highly successful Survivor Trilogy, Lara Croft returns in two adventures of her own. Looking to grow their animation slate, Netflix has given one of gaming's premiere heroines a chance in the Tad-dum spotlight. With Powerhouse Animation behind the scenes, the team has brought the harrowing adventures of Lara Croft to life.

Action-packed, thrilling, and filled with exotic locales, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is a solid installment of the series with a solid story and great set-pieces. Alas, like a candle in the wind, this series ends too quickly and becomes a great time only for a short period. With a tremendous amount of talent, the series does its job well, and we are left to ponder what could have been.

Tomb Raider Returns

Lara Croft (Hayley Atwell) is a survivor. Having been through many an ordeal in the Survivor Trilogy og games, Lara is left pondering her treasure-hunting ways while questioning her connections with her friends. What she went through is enough to break anyone, and she is holding on by a thread. Being a survivor has a means of exposing weaknesses, and with enough time, those weaknesses can become a powerful strength.

A shadowy organization has emerged, and a series of ancient Chinese stones has been disappearing one by one. A rich CEO seeks the power of ancient African masks. There are those who would take the ancient wonders of the world and use them for their own gain. Lara is a Croft. Determined, she sets out to set things right while also discovering herself, her legacy, and it means to bear the name Lara Croft.

Colors and Form

Firstly, the animation. The team behind the series worked on one of Netflix's first animation projects, Castlevania. Bringing that same flair to Lara Croft is quite the undertaking as the team trades Transylvanian lore and imagery for a globe-trotting adventure. There are no longer vampires and werewolves, but there is a supernatural element and various cultures to portray.

Powerhouse Animation does a fantastic job in creating a visual identity for the show. Call this nostalgia or a harking back to childhood days, but watching Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft was reminiscent of watching The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest from 1996. There is a plethora of color and depth, and the environmental details are done with heart and respect.

A Globe-Trotting Adventure

Through the two seasons, Lara goes to various locations, from France to Brazil to Africa and China. There is a bevy of smaller details that have each place lived in. The show takes time to show the culture, and the voice actors feel appropriate for who they are representing. It also keeps each moment fresh without growing stale.

Hayley Atwell does an amazing job as Lara Croft. Her design works tremendously well for the show,m portraying an athletic, muscular, yet vulnerable Lara that is driven to find answers, even answers about herself and her legacy. She gets hurt and feels hurt, and even flirts with a dark side. However, she still pursues and strives for the right thing. Hayley does a great performance and I couldn't help but feel she would make a great live-action Lara if that ever happened.

A Nod to What Came Before

This is further accompanied by the other details in the show. Lara solves puzzles and uses her knowledge to disover anicent history. She wields her dual pistols in high-octane sequences, including a thrilling one against a dinosaur. In a nod to the Angelina Jolie movies, she punches a shark.

There are some video gamey moments in Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft. At one point, Lara gets bitten by a gator on the leg, but walks perfectly fine. Lara gets tossed and thrashed but comes back with scrapes and bruises. She uses her trademark climbing axe and grappling hook. It's a reminder that this is a show based on a video game series, and some suspension of disbelief is necessary.

A Solid Story

Lara is also accompanied by a strong cast of characters. Zip (Allen Maldonado) provides the brains and scientific backup for Lara, as well as comedic relief. Sam (Karen Fukuhara) becomes a balanced and sharp companion to Lara, providing her own wits and knowledge. Eshu (Q-T Fagbenle) steals the show in Season 2, providing an infectious charm and strong dramatic performance. The rest of the supporting cast does a solid job in their respective roles.

There is much to enjoy in Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft. There is a discovery of not just the ancient world but also Lara. There is a self-reflection and introspection from Lara and the cast. Is it treasure hunting or theft? What does history say about us and the present? Is there a way to break that cycle? These themes are woven into gunfights and supernatural battles.

The Legend of the Tomb Raider

Alas, as exciting as this show is, there will not be a Season 3. Due to reasons not known to us, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is only two seasons long. They are a fun and enjoyable two seasons, but there will always be that lurking thought of what could have been. Season 2 ends conclusively but teases that one bit that hints at where things were headed. Perhaps this will be explored in a future game or the live-action series being worked on at Amazon.

It's short, but Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft delivers a solid entry into the legend of Lara Croft. With new games on the way and the Amazon show, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is a strong animated series with a strong story and solid action. Regrettably, fans will lament what could have been, but at least what is there is a lot of fun. The future is bright for Lara.

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft is recommended