BOOK REVIEW #24: TOMB RAIDER: THE ART AND MAKING OF THE FILM

We shall be upfront here, if you are going to spend time watching the updated 2018 version of Tomb Raider, you might as well check out Tomb Raider: The Art and Making of the Film. In a way it allows you to appreciate the rebooted franchise in a better light especially with all the hard work that goes to making sure the famous archaeologist gets to perform her stunt pieces in lavishly crafted sets.

In this 171-page coffee-table size book published by the ever-reliable Titan Books, fans will get to ponder over pages after pages of beautiful concept art and behind the scenes photos, some taken on set at Cape Town, South Africa.

Most impressive is the Aberdeen Harbour set which is actually recreated with full scale builds and greenscreen backdrops in South Africa (standing in for Hong Kong) for the foot chase. Even the movie’s Asian cast member, Daniel Wu is surprised by the amount of intricate detailing that goes into it.

Besides generous pages of photographic spreads, writer Sharon Gosling (who also written Wonder Woman: The Art and Making of the Film) also included a fair amount of anecdotes and interviews with director Roar Uthaug, stars Alicia Vikander and Wu. Expect in-depth information on the development of characters and key scenes with Vikander contributing a closing summary on her portrayal of Lara Croft as well.

This nicely package and written hardcover book makes a fine addition to fans of the movie or simply for readers who love how movies are made even though the movie doesn’t quite reach the dizzying heights Warner expects it to be. Perhaps the Angelina Jolie’s versions are still fresh in people’s heads.

Book Rating:

Review by Linus Tee

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