What parents should know about 'Tomb Raider'

What parents should know about 'Tomb Raider'

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THE TOMB — “Tomb Raider” is the latest video game movie adaptation, and it’s hoping to finally break the bad video game movie curse. Unfortunately, it gets close but doesn’t quite succeed.

You can read Curt Linnell’s full review for all the information on the latest “Tomb Raider” film. The purpose of this article is not to talk about what’s good and what’s bad about the movie, but rather to let you know what kind of content you can expect so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to take your family to see the new flick.

Again, this parents review is not telling you if you should or shouldn’t take your kids to the movie — only you can make that decision. Instead, it's here to let you know what to expect and help you make an educated decision.

Sexuality

“Tomb Raider” is really mild in this department. The Lara Croft name is often synonymous with revealing clothing, but this latest version seems to do away with that, thankfully. Instead, the movie focuses on the fact that Croft is a smart, courageous and strong woman and not one in short shorts and a low-cut tank top.

Star Alicia Vikander still dresses in Croft’s trademark military green tank top, but it’s not as revealing as earlier incarnations of the character. I applaud the filmmakers for making a conscious decision to not try to exploit or objectify the character and rather empower her and put her in clothes that make sense for the tasks she performs.

On top of that there is virtually no romance or sexuality at all in the film. I don’t believe there is even a kiss shared between two characters. That’s not to say that kissing is offensive, but rather pointing out the fact that the sexuality in the film is that mild.

Language

The language in this film is much like the sexuality: pretty much absent. It seems most PG-13 movies these days try and push the limit on language or try to slip an R-rated word in just for the sake of slipping it in. “Tomb Raider” does neither of these things.

There is some mild cursing here and there, but if the rating for the film was based off of harsh language alone it would likely be rated PG and not PG-13.

Violence

So, if there is no sexuality and next to no language in “Tomb Raider,” why is it rated PG-13? Violence, that’s why.

The film starts off fairly tame, but once the bullets and arrows start flying, the violence really takes off. There isn’t much blood, but people are beaten, killed and tortured for a good majority of the film. A few moments surprised me with their brutality.

One scene in particular — mild spoilers ahead — shows a hand-to-hand fight to the death where one person is drowned in a shallow-muddy puddle. It feels graphic and somewhat disturbing. I would assume that moment alone made the MPAA pause and think about an R rating.

The violence and body count doesn’t reach the level of some other recent PG-13 outings, such as “The Magnificent Seven,” but it is significant and likely meant for an older crowd. In addition, there are also a few scenes with characters contracting a disease that seems to be flesh-eating and can get somewhat graphic.

Conclusion

I’d say “Tomb Raider” earns its PG-13 rating thanks to its violent content. As an adult who has seen way too many movies, I was surprised by a few of the violent moments.

“Tomb Raider” is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and for some language.


John Clyde

About the Author: John Clyde

John has grown up around movies and annoys friends and family with his movie facts and knowledge. He also has a passion for sports and pretty much anything awesome, and it just so happens, that these are the three things he writes about. Contact him on Twitter at @johnnypclyde.

Language

The language in this film is much like the sexuality: pretty much absent. It seems most PG-13 movies these days try and push the limit on language or try to slip an R-rated word in just for the sake of slipping it in. “Tomb Raider” does neither of these things.

There is some mild cursing here and there, but if the rating for the film was based off of harsh language alone it would likely be rated PG and not PG-13.

Violence

So, if there is no sexuality and next to no language in “Tomb Raider,” why is it rated PG-13? Violence, that’s why.

The film starts off fairly tame, but once the bullets and arrows start flying, the violence really takes off. There isn’t much blood, but people are beaten, killed and tortured for a good majority of the film. A few moments surprised me with their brutality.

One scene in particular — mild spoilers ahead — shows a hand-to-hand fight to the death where one person is drowned in a shallow-muddy puddle. It feels graphic and somewhat disturbing. I would assume that moment alone made the MPAA pause and think about an R rating.

The violence and body count doesn’t reach the level of some other recent PG-13 outings, such as “The Magnificent Seven,” but it is significant and likely meant for an older crowd. In addition, there are also a few scenes with characters contracting a disease that seems to be flesh-eating and can get somewhat graphic.

Conclusion

I’d say “Tomb Raider” earns its PG-13 rating thanks to its violent content. As an adult who has seen way too many movies, I was surprised by a few of the violent moments.

“Tomb Raider” is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, and for some language.


![John Clyde](http://img.ksl.com/slc/2608/260868/26086842\.jpg?filter=ksl/65x65)
About the Author: John Clyde ----------------------------

John has grown up around movies and annoys friends and family with his movie facts and knowledge. He also has a passion for sports and pretty much anything awesome, and it just so happens, that these are the three things he writes about. Contact him on Twitter at @johnnypclyde.

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John has grown up around movies and annoys friends and family with his movie facts and knowledge. He also has a passion for sports and pretty much anything awesome, and it just so happens, that these are the three things he writes about.

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