(Angelina Jolie is my new, secret girlfriend.)
Angelina Jolie can rock the cradle of my life any day. All I have to say is this movie, Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, has accomplished what most critics say is nigh impossible. The sequel is better than the first. Of course, since the first installation in the series wasn't that great, this feat is not that hard.

This first Tomb Raider is ok... had some cool special effects; had some cool stunts. But, this one is so much better. Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie) actually has a love interest in this one - so much more engaging than watching her pine away for her long dead dad. And he's damn cute and sexy: dark hair, fair skin, blue eyes, with an Irish accent to boot. (Gotta love an Irish brogue. It may have been faked, but that's ok. I'll settle for fake.)

We're not talking Shakespeare...
The plot's better, too! That's not say that it's great, intricate writing. We're not talking Shakespeare hear. But, it's better than the plot of the first movie. Croft is chasing after Pandora's Box - racing against time and a really bad guy who wants to sell the box on the black market as a weapon of mass destruction. (Where's President Bush when you really need him? Busy attacking Iraq instead.) And the mythology behind Pandora's Box is also way cooler than the "Illuminati." I mean, c'mon? The Illuminati? The Illuminati are kind of a joke compared to ancient Greek mythology.

Additionally, the plot's just involved enough that they didn't need filler, gratuitous, let's-show-Angelina-wet-and-naked, shower scenes. She's so much sexier looking hot while kicking ass, which she does a lot of in this movie - more so than the first.

Speaking of kicking ass, they get points for better fight scenes, also. Way better fight scenes.

Fini!
Lastly, although the characters are still pretty one-dimensional, they get points for making Lara, the character, better and stronger in Cradle... Instead of being a spoiled, little, rich girl, longing to see Daddy again - she's tough, like a general, like an action hero should be. The character makes some damn hard decisions in this one. Being female, I thought it was kind of inspiring.

Overall, Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life is a fun, entertaining movie - even somewhat empowering. But, don't expect to be made to think or expect Hemingway. (If you're going to see any action movie expecting great acting, writing, or art, what's wrong with you!?!) I think it is definitely worth seeing in the theatres and enjoyed it a lot.