Casting
Tomb Raider
When you have a beloved video game that brings with it legions of fans, you need the film adaptation casting to be flawless. Tomb Raider struck a home-run in that respect, with the casting of Angelina Jolie in the main role. Critical opinion of the achievements of the film as a whole pale in comparison to the achievements of the lead performer in this video game movie.
While there are excellent casting choices to be found among the supporting players, too – in particular, the appearance of Chris Barrie as one of Croft’s staff members, Hillary – it is Jolie that possesses every inch of the screen with her rendition of the essence of Lara Croft. Aside from an impeccable British accent, Jolie manages to create this iconic video game character in living flesh – making her every bit as capable and impressive as her digital origin.
– Sarah Myles
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
Although Hironobu Sakaguchi’s directorial effort based on his own game creation is considered to be the most expensive video-game-inspired movie of all time, as well as one of the biggest failures of that genre, it is notable for its lead character, Aki Ross – voiced by Ming-Na Wen. Ross became so popular that she was, somewhat controversially, the first fictional woman to be included on Maxim’s (albeit exploitative) ‘sexiest women’ list in 2001.
While the popularity of the character had much to do with her digital rendering, it is Ming-Na Wen’s vocal performance that breathes life into Ross, leaving her imbued with depth of personality and a complex characterisation. The casting of Ming-Na Wen had such a positive impact on the character – despite the troubled reception of the film – that Ross was considered to be viable for use beyond Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.
– Sarah Myles
