Indiana Jones is one of my favorite creations. People can scoff all they want about the movies, that they are loud, or implausible, or just an exercise in style, you can't change my mind about the way I feel about him. Indiana Jones was conceived originally by George Lucas and was brought to life by his best friend Steven Spielberg and actor Harrison Ford. I can't say what kind of person you have to be to enjoy Indiana Jones, other than you must have the mind of a ten year old boy inside you somewhere. Indiana Jones is meant for boys who yearn for excitement and want to see the good guy be really good and the bad guys be really bad. The films reflect what it means to have fun at the movies, they are children's adventure stories which contain the the crowd pleasing ingredients for a really good Saturday Matinee that doesn't stop for a "To Be Continued" ending. They are fast, funny, and exciting, and the hero does what you expect him to do.
Some people have never liked Indiana Jones, I think he's a riot, and I'm a flutter with excitement whenever I see him on screen, here's a look his four films that should be required viewing for any youngster.
Raiders of the Lost Ark: The first, and for many the best in the series. "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is the greatest comic book movie ever made, even though he was never a comic book before this, although you could swear he was. Indy traces the mysterious Ark of the Covenant which boasts the power of God. The Nazis want it to rule the world, Indy wants it in a museum. Indy meets old flame Marion (Karen Allen) who still holds a grudge for him leaving her, but she becomes his partner in crime. Indy and Marion become immersed in a snake pit (remember he really hates snakes), among other things. Indy fights a Bond-like super human near airplane propellers, and let's not forget the famous car chase featuring some of the best stunt work ever put on screen. A film where all the fun is put on screen for us to enjoy.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: This has always been my favorite title for an Indiana Jones movie. This is probably the most misunderstood film in the series. It has been criticized for having a much more whiny heroine than Marion, it's depiction of an ancient cult was attacked for being racist, and perhaps most of all, it was thought of as too dark and gloomy compared the the crowd pleasing "Raiders". To those detractors I say lighten up, it's "The Temple of Doom", not "The Temple of rainbows". I have a fondness for this particular film, sometimes I actually do think it's the best of the bunch. Think of it as if Indy were trapped in the same temple at the beginning of "Raiders" for the entire movie. This was probably the one Indy film that scared me. It wasn't any of the gory parts like when a man's heart is ripped from his chest, but when my hero Indy is brainwashed and is no longer Indy. He is lost and for a child that may be upsetting. But then of course things work out, Indy comes back. Spielberg has often disregarded film as being too dark for him, and I do wish in time he comes to appreciate just how fun and exciting it really is.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: Perhaps the most Spielberg-influenced Indy film, which no doubt makes this the most emotional. Indy searches for the Holy Grail with his estranged father (Sean Connery). For some this turns away from the more edgy "Temple of Doom" to the more safe material of "Raiders". Having just rewatched the film, I must say the father/son relationship was quite touching and balanced nicely with much of the action. It's easy to see why many people regard this film as their favorite of the series. Like in all of the films, you can really sense the fun that was being had behind the scenes. Connery and Ford work beautifully together.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: If we can just get past the "nuked the fridge" portion of the film already please. It's true, I admit I enjoyed this movie more than others. If you look at the facts, this was actually a well-reviewed film, most fans thought differently. Indy is now older, he's the same age as Harrison Ford is today, he has lived through a war, his father is now gone, and it seems he has become reluctant to do anymore adventuring. A new era, now poses a new enemy, Russians become a factor as they try to get Indy to help them find the mysterious Crystal Skull. Indy must come out of retirement, but let me just say it's a joy to see him. Last year I stated that this film was the most fun I had at the movies, and it's still true. Indy is an old fashioned hero, he's indestructible, perhaps that was the real problem new audiences had with it. Watching it along with the other films of the series, I am confident in time, it will be as well regarded with them.
Indiana Jones makes me feel young each time I see it. Whenever I hear that iconic music or that silhouette with him and his fedora, I can't help but feel goosebumps. Indiana Jones is a character that will never change as long as he is in the hands of his creators. He'll never be a brooding, complex hero struggling with personal issues, he's a romantic, a globe trotter, an adventurer, he's everything we want to be when we're young. The world is too troubled, and too serious as it is, and sometimes when we go to the movies, we crave that escape from it more than anything. Thank you Indiana Jones for letting me escape.
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