I used to think Temple of Doom was the best of the (then) 3, and would tell that to people when they asked. They seemed shocked, and I never knew why. Now, I rate it third, with Raiders being the best, by far, but I love the serial idea they went for. It has an old-timey feel to it, and the Kali Ma scene is killer! It's a lot of fun at the movies!
That's why they eventually acceded to the idea of "PG-13": too many movies that were in that nebulous spot between "PG" and "R". I see why it seemed too violent for "PG", but I also can't view it as an "R"...
Raiders is #1. Last Crusade is a better film than Temple, but somehow it's less fun to watch. I haven't seen Crystal Skull since it was in theaters. I didn't go until a few weeks in, and by then it had been skewered by everyone. Definitely the weakest, but my expectations were so low that I actually enjoyed it. Shia swinging through the trees was the only cringe-worthy moment for me.
Oh, I disagree there. "Crusade" is a bit lackluster for its first act, but once Connery arrives, it's a delight. The chemistry between Ford and Connery makes the movie!
A 4K release of the full quadrilogy has just been announced. There is a standard edition for all retailers and this Best Buy exclusive Steelbook edition: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/indian...blu-rayonly--best-buy/6457772.p?skuId=6457772 For the standard edition, Target is cheaper than Amazon at $86.99. Interestingly, this article says Paramount says "they had 'extensive visual effects work done to ensure the most pristine and highest quality image.' They noted Indiana Jones film director Steven Spielberg approved all the picture work." The INDIANA JONES Movies Get a 4K Ultra HD Set - Nerdist It's a tone-deaf choice of words given the attitude among fans toward the Star Wars: Special Editions, but it could just be referring to things like cleaning up matte lines. Although I think there was some analysis out there a few years ago that an HD version of Raiders shown on TV had visual effects changes done in the scene where the truck falls off the cliff. So I don't know if that's the kind of territory we're going to be getting into here. The article says all the bonus content is previously released.
Raiders is my favorite movie. Temple of Doom is underrated, but the actual temple scene where Indy is being tortured is very hard to watch. Other than that, it’s a fun ride. Last Crusade is also fun, but is a bit of a rehash with the Nazis again as the villains. The less said about Crystal Skull, the better.
They get progressively worse as time goes on... 1. Raiders of the Lost Ark Two minor nitpicks: (a) The casual murder of Arabs is a bit racist, and (b) the 5 or 10-minutes just prior to the climactic island-wrath-of-God scene (with Indy on the boat, swimming around or whatever he's doing) is a bit muddled, rush-edited or something and doesn't really make sense. But those two points aside, this is a near-perfect fun, action-adventure type film. 2. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Major flaw with this one is the VERY racist depiction of Indians, in general. Otherwise, I like it. It's darker, all outside of the USA, and is therefore very different from the first (or next). 3. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Cute, family-fun! Nice brisk pace, good-ish story, but way too funny and audience-pandering. (As I recall, it's also photographed too bright, looking like a Disney movie or a TV show.) 4. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull An abomination, predictably. Horrid.
My ranking of these films follows the films releases, with Crystal Skull being way under par compared to the other three, to the extent I've erased it from my 'head canon'. It almost feels like a parody of Indiana Jones, and as for what they did to Marion... totally different character IMHO. Hoping James Mangold can somehow balance the drama, the thrills, the darkness, supernatural elements, awe and grandeur at the maguffin, and just a pinch of that Saturday Matinee serial 'mojo' to keep it fun, without becoming parody, or swinging the other way not becoming uber serious and wallow in Indy's age too much. It still needs to fit in with the other three... I hope they ape Douglas Slocombe's amazing photography more than Crystal Skull did too, and naturally that John Williams decides to finish the saga with one last Indy score. Cautiously optimistic about this one.
I overheard some high-schoolers talking the other day at a bowling alley. Kid #1: Have you seen those movies? Indiana Jones? Kid #2: I know, right? They're amazing. Kid #3: I heard they're making another one this year. Kid #1: With who? The original guy? (laughs hysterically) HE'S ANCIENT!
I went with Temple of Doom. An absolute thrill ride from start to finish, which Raiders of the Lost Ark is NOT. Close, but it peters out before the end.
I'm fine with Crystal Skull through the opening act. The Area 51 warehouse is fun, and I love the atomic test town and yes, even the fridge scene. End it there and you've got a solid little half-hour "episode."
Agreed. I read that Lucas was pushing the aliens aspect for that movie for years, and Spielberg resisted, which is why there was almost 20 years between the third and fourth movies. There were a bunch of scripts written in the 1990s that were discarded. I’ve love to see them now - I think one was about the lost city of Atlantis.
You gotta get the JW Rinzler book about the making of all 4 films. He goes into all the treatments that were rejected. The Complete Making of Indiana Jones by J. W. Rinzler, Laurent Bouzereau: 9780345501295 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books