THERE is a widely spoken rule in film criticism that video games do not make for good cinema. From Prince of Persia to Assassins Creed and Need for Speed to Resident Evil, fun on the console translates to endurance on the big screen.

Back in 2001, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – the vehicle that helped propel Angelina Jolie into the A-list – did little to disprove the rule, with a weaker sequel following two years later. Film studios, however, are not easily assuaged and this week sees Lara Croft return with a new face and new reboot.

In Tomb Raider, Alicia Vikander takes on the role of the so-called ‘female Indiana Jones’ in an adventure that sees Croft visit last known location of her father (Dominic West) in the hope of solving the mystery of his disappearance. Alongside Vikander, Walter Goggins co-stars as a rival archaeologist, with Daniel Wu, Kristin Scott Thomas and Hannah John-Kamen in seemingly friendlier roles.

Coming from director Roar Uthaug, hopes that Vikander’s inherent likeability will overcome an abundance of CGI and standard plot tropes were somewhat dampened when Warner Bros released a poster for the film displaying some dismal Photoshopping.

Also hopping into cinemas this week is Peter Rabbit, an adaptation of the beloved children’s books by Beatrix Potter. The film sees James Corden (fresh from The Emoji Movie) voice Peter, with Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, Colin Moody and Daisy Ridley as Flopsy, Mopsy, Benjamin and Cottontail.

With trailers promising a film that combines the aesthetics of Paddington with the low-brow humour of any number of cheap American family films, Peter Rabbit has had purists in fits – and quite right too. On the other hand, this isn’t aimed at that crowd and will instead entertain younger, more innocent and modern, audiences with fun and joviality. Controversy that the film employs ‘allergy bullying’ will likely go right over their heads too.

One more for this week is Garth Davis’ Mary Magdalene. Davis’ first film was the acclaimed and Oscar-nominated Lion last year and this sophomore outing sees him reunited with Rooney Mara as Mary Magdalen.

The film, which sees Joaquin Phoenix play Jesus, hopes to humanise the woman usually best known for her initial demons and remind everyone of the central role she had in the life of the son of God.