Favorite Trilogy

One of my favorite movie blog sites happens to be Kim Morgan at Sunset Gun. I enjoyed her list very much particularily by adding the "Three Colors" films as well as "The Apu Trilogy". So I decided to add my two cents and talk about my favorite trilogy of films that was missing from her list

The Indiana Jones trilogy has always been my favorite, mostly because it always did what it set out to do, make very fast, furious, clever films dedicated to the saturday matinee serial. I can't help but think that had the "Pirates of the Carribean" films not gone overly bloated with meaningless sub plots and tightened its pace and clarified its story, Captain Jack might be thought of as a new Indiana Jones. It started with George Lucas' love of B-movie cliffhangers, and Steven Spielberg's love of James Bond movies. The two collaberated and with the help of the charismatic Harrison Ford as the daredevil/punching bag archeologist, they created probably the best action adventure series of them all. Some may argue with me particularily as the series seemed to lose steam near the end, but I still feel it's some of the best fun ever filmed. Let's look back at the three films shall we.

Raiders of the Lost Ark: Definately the best of the three. Despite a brief overview of the plot in a university scene, the rest is packed with lots of stunts, and sight gags and close calls that could fill up two movies. Karen Allen is the great side kick Marion Ravenwood who is the kind of woman I think guys like having around all the time. Not only does it contain my absolute favorite car chase ever in movies, it has a hair raising stop in a snake pit, (You know he doesn't like snakes right?) Not to mention the opening sequence involving Alfred Molina in a memorable bit.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: My favorite title of the three, it screams B-movie. This is perhaps the most misunderstood film. I find it the funniest with wicked bits of dark humour involving an insect infested dinner. When Indy actually gets into the dark underbelly of the temple, to find a cult long to be forgotten, (The Thugee you know that same cult from "Gunga Din") the film doesn't hold back on the violence. It was the first PG-13 film, and Spielberg defended the new rating saying "Hey it's not called the Temple of Roses". But this film is also special in how it pays homage to Buster Keaton's "The General" with it's fast chase through a mine shaft. I think of all the three films, this is the one that stands closest to the B-movie formula, while also putting a post modern spin on it.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: This is the most sentimental of the Jones films with a big emphasis on the relationship Indy has with his estranged father (Sean Connery who better than James Bond himself). Of course the father/son theme ran on in a lot of Spielberg films, but it never becomes heavy handed in this film. Like in all Indy films the idea was to keep it light and moving. I admit the series was losing steam, but the chemistry between megastars Ford and Connery make this better than average entertainment, and it's a great fathers day film for a couple of action hungry fathers and sons.