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‘Tomb Raider’: Emotionally unexciting (IANS Review, Rating: **)

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By Troy Ribeiro
Film: “Tomb Raider”; Director: Roar Uthaug; Cast: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, Kristin Scott Thomas and Nick Frost; Rating: **

Director Roar Uthaug’s action-adventure film “Tomb Raider” is the third film of the “Tomb Raider” series which first made an appearance in 2001. This is also a reboot of the 2013 released video game of the same name.

In this edition, Alicia Vikander, flashing her washboard abs takes over the mantle of Lara Croft from Angelina Jolie. And unlike Angelina’s Lara, this one is more vulnerable, kind and compassionate, minus guns and superhuman abilities. She establishes herself as a proficient cyclist, kick-boxer, archer and at the apt moment even displays cold-blooded killer instincts.

Seven years after the disappearance of her father Lord Richard Croft (Dominic West), Lara leads a reckless and carefree life, working as a courier girl. She is cash-strapped, yet she refuses to accept her vast inheritance as this would mean accepting the fact that her missing father is dead.

But inadvertently, she stumbles upon a pre-recorded message from her father detailing his research about Himiko, the mythical and cursed Queen whose touch brought death.

Richard had apparently left for Japan in search of her tomb. In his message to Lara, he warns her to destroy all of his research. But Lara decides to investigate further and so she follows his final footsteps and heads east. She travels to Hong Kong and then sails to the purported island in Japan, where the tomb is situated.

The plot, packed with her travails is steadfastly predictable, which include some borrowed iconic sequences from the video games. The action sequences are generic and the adventure seems a little uninspiring and lacklustre.

The inciting moments are flat and the motivation of the characters are shallow and hackneyed. The dialogues are uninspiring.

Alicia Vikander, with her sharp features as Lara Croft, is pretty relatable. She is aptly supported by Dominic West as her father Richard who at times does not seem to have aged in comparison with her, Kristin Scott Thomas as Croft Holding’s corporate caretaker Ana Miller, and Walton Goggins as the murderous Vogel who too is searching for Himiko’s Tomb.

With ace production values, the film is glossed over. The computer generated images are skilfully meshed with the live-action sequences and the 3D effects are as good as not being there.

Overall, Tomb Raider is emotionally unexciting and drab.

–IANS
troy/rb/dg

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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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