Lara Croft

Question 1. (10 mark)

 

Tomb Raider is an example of action adventure video game. The heroic protagonist is Lara croft (played by Angelina Golie) and the villainous antagonist (who opposes the hero) is the sidekicks are two innocent men who are inferior to Lara croft (who are Greek). The main theme of this extract is Good vs Evil.

The first way in which the narrative (characters) is an example of the action adventure genre is identifying who is the heroic protagonist in this case the protagonist is Lara Croft. A woman and not a man – throughout the extract you see Lara being surrounded by a male presence (the first being her sidekicks the second being the villains) this gives us, the audience especially the female audience a sense that this woman isn’t ordinary, she doesn’t seem to be controlled by the men; she controls them. Like most action adventure films the protagonist is always portrayed as resourceful and clever. Her bag carries all her gadgets (props) like her video camera to record evidence in the tomb and her weapons to eliminate the antagonist. Which begins the point of combat and conflict evidently seen between Lara Croft (a British female) and the villains who are always played as foreigners (Asian), they try to prevent her from achieving her goal/mission by shooting her down with a spear from the top of tomb.  Despite putting herself in danger by climbing to the top of the tomb, Lara has on a brave face and will often easily beat the antagonist even when she is outnumbered. Lara is attractive, athletic and youthful – this is seen in her outfit which showcases her slim figure, her facial features are exotic in comparison to an ordinary woman and her fast paced movements (jumping from one spot to another within seconds) and her brown hair which is sleek back and that doesn’t have a single grey hair unlike her antagonists.  Even though

The second way in which the narrative (Events) is an example of action adventure is seen in the opening sequence where we see the location is set in a tomb unlike Action Adventure films like James Bond normally set in the country of the spy’s origin/ in cities. The extract is shot using low key lighting creating the effect of suspense. We can also tell that the Tomb is dark when Lara has to use a flame torch used to light the way for her to get around the tomb. Speed and motion is represented using close up shots (to indicate where Lara would be shot by the Villains) and long shots. The shaking camera shots indicate that the temple/tomb is going to fall or be destroyed within seconds. The events of the extract can only be resolved through conflict meaning that the protagonists (Lara) has to be the one to destroy the villains. Despite them being intimidating Lara makes an extreme effort to defeat them which makes it look effortless. This is known as jeopardy. She often finds herself having little time