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Entertainment Media Analysis Report
A service to His little ones (which includes at-home teens) through you, their parents and grandparents, in His name by His Word

MAR23071
(2003), PG-13
Analysis Date: July 24, 2003
CAP Score: 62 out of 100
CAP Influence Density: 1.48

MinMax: -88


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ALERT: To fully understand this report you should first visit the topics suggested by the CAP Site Map (Table of Contents). Further, if you do not want the plot, ending, or "secrets" of a movie spoiled for you, skip the Summary/Commentary. In any case, be sure to visit the Findings/Scoring section -- it is completely objective to His Word and is the heart of the CAP Entertainment Media Analysis Model applied to this movie.


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SUMMARY / COMMENTARY:


If Scriptural references appear, the full text appears at the end of the Summary / Commentary likely using a mix of KJV and NIV.



(2003), PG-13 -- ...mixing Scriptures with "strange philosopy" and myth.



Cast/Crew Details Courtesy Internet Movie Database
Production (US): Lawrence Gordon Productions, Mutual Film Company, Paramount Pictures
Distribution (US): Paramount Pictures
Director(s): Jan de Bont
Producer(s): Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Jeremy H. Smith, Louis A. Stroller
Written by/Screenplay: Story: Steven E. de Souza, James V. Hart. Screenplay: Dean Georgaris
Cinematography/Camera: David Tattersall
Music: Jonathan Davis, Alan Silvestri
Film Editing: Christian Wagner
Casting: Makis Gazis, Daniel Hubbard, John Hubbard, Ros Hubbard, Gail Levin
Production Design: Kirk M. Petruccelli
Art Direction: John Fenner, Frank Walsh
Viewed At: Driftwood Theaer 6


In defiance of the Scriptures, Lara Croft - Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life presents that Alexander the Great found a box that contains the source of life on Earth, thereby mixing Scriptures with "strange philosopy" and myth [Gen. 2:7]. Alexander discovered also that the box contained unspeakable powers of horror that nearly devastated his entire army with illness and death. Thinking it to be Pandora's Box and seeing that it possesses such power to kill and destroy, Alexander took the box to a resting place in the caverns of the Cradle of Life in the middle of a pool of black acid vomited by evil.

Such a power to destroy tweaked the interest of super evil genius, Jonathan Reiss (Ciaran Hinds). What captured Reiss' interest is that the box contained power to kill entire populations much like his germ and chemical terrorist weapons. That Pandora's Box contained power to kill entire populations was just too much for Reiss to resist. But the location of the Cradle of Life is a secret.

Due to a sea quake, Alexander's Temple Luna is expected to have been uncovered at the bottom of the sea and several groups try to find it. But, due to sea currents, Lady Croft (Angelina Jolie) anticipates its location to be in a different location than the other seekers. Croft is trying to find Alexander's Temple of Luna to find out whether it contains information about where the Cradle of Life might be.

Finding the temple, amidst a spear gun battle with seekers who traced her, Croft locates a glowing orb which turns out to be a map to the Cradle of Life. But alas, the seekers steal it from her. And guess who ends up with it? Jonathan Reiss. Now the real warfare begins. Reiss is out to locate Pandora's Box to sell it to the highest bidder. Billions of lives and dollars are at stake. All the stops are pulled as Croft battles with Reiss to regain possession of the orb.

"All the stops are pulled" fairly well describes the content of this movie regrading violence. Wanton Violence/Crime (W) is the most severe presence with a score of zero mainly due to the use of firearms to control, attempted murder with firearms and spear guns, defensive killings and gun battles [Nahum 3:1, 1 Tim. 2:1 - 3]. Sexual immorality (S) follows in second worst place with a score of 56 due mainly to Jolie's skin diving outfit revealing more than the previews/trailers/advertisements, some typical innuendo and comments, and one instance of a man atop Jolie making out (attempted intercourse) [Mark 7:21, 1 Thess. 4:2 - 5]. In a tie for third worst score was Impudence/Hate (I) and Murder/Suicide (M), each with a score of 72. The Impudence/Hate score was due largely to foul language typical of PG-13 movies but not as big an issue as usual with only seven uses of the three/four letter word vocabulary [Prov. 22:11]. In such a violent movie one would expect murder to be a large presence but defensive killings (W) were more frequent than murder, thus a score of 72 in Murder/Suicide (M) [Exod. 20:13]. Offense to God also earned a score of 81 due to two uses of God's name in vain without the four letter expletive [Deut. 5:11] plus offenses such as mixing Scripture with myth [2 Tim. 3:16, Col. 2:8]. The highest scoring investigation area was Drugs/Alcohol (D) with a score of 88 due to drinking alcoholic beverages.

While drinking in and of itself is not a sin as long as drunkenness is not the result, a recent study by the American College of Physician's (ACPs) revealed that adolescent exposure to drinking and smoking in entertainment leads to an undeniable increase in alcohol and tobacco abuse. The finding, entitled Relation Between Parental Restrictions on Movies and Adolescent Use of Tobacco and Alcohol , reports that of 4544 youths from grades 5 through 8 of fifteen Vermont and New Hampshire middle schools (90% were under fourteen years old) only 16% were completely restricted from viewing R-rated movies. The report further states the prevalence of having tried smoking without parental knowledge was 35% for those with no restrictions on viewing R-rated movies, 12% for those with partial restrictions, and two percent for those with complete restrictions. The prevalence of having tried alcohol without parental knowledge was 46% for those with no restrictions, 16% for those with partial restrictions and four percent for those with complete restrictions. Rather revealing of the influences of the entertainment industry wouldn't you say? Whether the movie is rated R or not, the focus is the influence of adolescent exposure to drinking and smoking in and as entertainment. And influencing children to sin with drink in and as entertainment screams of violating Luke 17:2.

The listing in the Findings/Scoring section (the heart of the CAP analysis model) itemizes the findings noted. Please read it before you decide whether to let your kids see Lara Croft - Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life.


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SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S)
If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ]. If you wish to have full context available, the Blue Letter Bible is a convenient source. If you use the Blue Letter Bible, a new window will open. Close it to return here or use "Window" in your browser's menu bar to alternate between the CAP page and the Blue Letter Bible page.

  • Gen. 2:7 the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
  • Nahum 3:1 Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims!
  • 1 Tim. 2:1 - 3 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
  • Gal. 5:19 - 21 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
  • Mark 7:21 For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality,...
  • 1 Thess. 4:2 - 5 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification [that you should be sanctified], that ye should abstain from fornication [not participate in sexual immorality]: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel [control his body; be master of it not slave to it] in sanctification and honour [... of God's Will] ; Not in the lust of concupiscence [not in passionate lust like the heathen], even as the Gentiles which know not God:
  • Prov. 22:11 He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.
  • Exod. 20:13 You shall not murder.
  • Deut. 5:11 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain [shav' {shawv}: emptiness, nothingness, vanity]: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. [With or without the four letter expletive, the use of God's name in any way other than respect, reverence or thoughtful discussion is in vain. That includes the popular three syllable sentence with His name trailing it AND the misuse of Jesus' name.]
  • 2Tim. 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,...
  • Col. 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

    ***Selected Scriptures of Armour against the influence of the entertainment industry***
  • Ps. 12:8 The wicked freely strut about [e.g., create progressively vile/offensive entertainment with impunity and no consequences to younger and younger audiences every year] when what is vile is honored among men [when enough people continue to defend it, embrace it, pay for it, enjoy it, want it]. [I call attention to Ps. 12:8 to warn of the creeping desensitizing power of "entertainment."]
  • Col. 2:8 Beware lest any man [by his influence] spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
  • 1 Cor. 15:33 (KJV) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (NIV) Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.
  • Jude 4 For certain men* whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change [warp, distort, falsely represent, situationally redefine, counterfeit, conditionally apply] the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. [*men: anthropos {anth'-ro-pos}, generic, a human being, whether male or female]
  • Matt. 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto [or for] one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto [or for] me.
  • Luke 17:2 It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. [cause by teaching or example]
  • Ps. 119:133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
  • John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
  • 1 Thess. 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.


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    As always, it is best to refer to the Findings/Scoring section -- the heart of the CAP analysis model -- for the most complete assessment possible of this movie.

  • FINDINGS / SCORING:


    Lara Croft - Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003) CAP Thermometers

    Wanton Violence/Crime (W)
  • disaster peril
  • explosive startle, repeatedly
  • attempted murder by spear gun, repeatedly
  • defensive killing, repeatedly
  • deaths by cave-in, at least 5 (4 off screen)
  • self cut
  • coughing up blood, bubbling from mouth
  • arms dealing (germ/chemical weapons of mass destruction)
  • fighting, repeatedly
  • action violence, repeatedly
  • heavy noise sound effects, on the verge of painful
  • order to kill
  • firearm threat to face/head, repeatedly
  • multiple firearms to control, repeatedly
  • beating, repeatedly, including of a woman
  • chase to kill
  • great fall
  • defensive killings, many
  • brutality (shoving face into shattered glass)
  • gun battles, repeatedly
  • gunfire to kill, repeatedly
  • animal attacks, repeatedly
  • killings by beast, repeatedly, some most graphic
  • gunfire to coerce
  • gore

    Impudence/Hate (I)
  • seven uses of the three/four letter word vocabulary

    Sexual Immorality (S)
  • camera angle to force viewer on to private arts
  • dressing to maximize the female form and/or skin exposure
  • ghosting of female anatomy through clothing, repeatedly
  • sexual innuendo, comments
  • suggestive eye movements
  • open face kissing, twice
  • man atop a prone woman making out, her in only a towel

    Drugs/Alcohol (D):
  • drinking

    Offense to God (O)
  • two uses of God's name in vain without the four letter expletive

    Murder/Suicide (M)
  • murder by biological agent
  • murder by throat slicing
  • murder by stabbing
  • murder by gunfire




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    "There are some in the entertainment industry who maintain that 1) violent programming is harmless because no studies exist that prove a connection between violent entertainment and aggressive behavior in children, and 2) young people know that television, movies, and video games are simply fantasy. Unfortunately, they are wrong on both accounts." And "Viewing violence may lead to real life violence." I applaud these associations for fortifying 1 Cor. 15:33. Read the rest of the story. From our more than eight years of study, I contend that other aberrant behaviors, attitudes, and expressions can be inserted in place of "violence" in that statement. Our Director - Child Psychology Support, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist concurs. For example, "Viewing arrogance against fair authority may lead to your kids defying you in real life." Or "Viewing sex may lead to sex in real life." Likewise and especially with impudence, hate and foul language. I further contend that any positive behavior can be inserted in place of "violence" with the same chance or likelihood of being a behavior template for the observer; of being incorporated into the behavior mechanics and/or coping skills of the observer. In choosing your entertainment, please consider carefully the "rest of the story" and our findings.



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