By Michael Lyons
“If Adventure Has a Name, It Must Be Indiana Jones.” This tag line from the movie poster of “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” is not only brilliant, succinct marketing, it’s also a whole lot of truth in one sentence.
The character of Indiana Jones has been played by none other than Harrison Ford, who on the “Today” show this week stated that no one else could or should play the character and fans most definitely agree.
Indiana’s franchise of films were created and produced by George Lucas and directed by Steven Spielberg, the architects of the summer movie blockbuster and the films have become synonymous with what we expect from adventure movies. So much so in fact that since the character’s first film, 1981’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” a template was set for what audiences (and Hollywood) expect from action movies. The character’s name has even become shorthand description for many (“it’s an ‘Indiana Jones-like story...”), which tells all exactly what they need to know.
This month not one, but two, Indiana Jones movies celebrate milestones: it’s the 35th anniversary of “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” celebrates 30 years.
What better time to “whip out” some thoughts about the iconic, adventure-seeking professor in the famed Fedora.
“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (Released May 23, 1984). The follow-up to “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” a prequel that finds Indy trapped inside the titular Temple in India, where a cult has enslaved a village full of children and is practicing dark magic.
And that dark magic aspect took many aback when the film was released. The tone of this film is indeed darker, more brutal and gorier than “Raiders” (snake surprise anyone?). In fact, these elements in the film eventually led to the initiation of the PG-13 rating.
Additionally, there was no Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) as Indy’s tough-as-nails love interest. Instead, we get singer Willie Scott (Kate Capshaw) as a damsel in distress, who provides levity and, at times, an audience perspective to the film. There’s also Short Round (Key Huy Quan), Indy’s young sidekick, who is the perfect blend of cute and capable.
Despite these differences, the film is still wall-to-wall with Spielberg’s virtuoso touches.
The opening sequence in a Shanghai night club, from its dance number to its action sequence is pure movie magic and the sequences inside the Temple harken back to classic Hollywood horror films.
And those action scenes Indy is known for? From escaping a crashing plane using an inflatable raft to a roller coaster climax on mine cars, “Temple of Doom” wears you out and doesn’t disappoint.
It’s a much different Indiana Jones from what’s come before or since, but one can’t deny that “Temple of Doom” is still an exhausting blast of movie action fun, even three and a half decades later.
“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (Released May 24, 1989). In what we thought was the last Indiana jones film ever, Indy goes in search of the Holy Grail and, along the way, rescues his father, Dr. Henry Jones, who has been kidnapped by Nazis, who are also searching for the Grail.
In many ways, this film feels as if it’s “righting the wrongs” that many fans felt were in “Temple of Doom.” In fact, “Last Crusade” is so much lighter in spirit, it could almost qualify as a comedy (and a really funny one at that).
As Indy’s father, Sean Connery is perfect and inspired casting. After all, who better to play Indy’s dad than the original James Bond?
Additionally, Ford and Connery have brilliant chemistry and their scenes together are filled with assured acting and comic timing. The film’s running gag of Henry calling Indy “Junior” and Indy rebuking “Don’t call me Junior!” Is still funny all these years later.
This lighter tone carries over to the action scenes, which have a theme park-ride giddiness to them. Particularly fun are a breakneck motorcycle chase and an escape from a zeppelin via biplanes (Connery’s delivery of a comic punchline here is still hysterical).
“Last Crusade” also provides some backstory about Indy, in an opening sequence, set in 1912. Here young Indiana (played by River Phoenix) steals an artifact from an archeological dig, while on a Boy Scout expedition. Phoenix does a brilliant job of “mimicking” Ford’s mannerisms in this scene, so that he truly feels like a younger version of the character.
While many have scoffed at this sequence for that fact that all of Indy’s impactful life experiences seem to happen in one day, it still plays like a good-natured, comic-book origin story.
In fact, the whole film is good natured, almost like a “Indiana Jones’ Greatest Hits,” (Nazis, the return of familiar faces like Marcus and Sallah and an ending escape from a booby-trap laden mystical cavern). And through it, all involved, including Spielberg, (whose trademark cinematic touches are a wonder to behold here) are having a great time.
“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” also carries with it a theme about the importance of family bonds, as Indy and his Dad learn that this is the greatest treasure the world has to offer, one they have been searching for and now have finally found.
Both of these movies are prime examples of that well-worn movie critic saying “It’s why we go to the movies.” The excitement, laughter and fun that both “Temple of Doom” and “Last Crusade” supply go hand-in-hand with a popcorn scented darkened theater.
For thirty and thirty five years, both films have both provided an endless supply of adventure...and, after all, “If Adventure has a Name, it must be Indiana Jones!”
Sources:
IMDb
Wikipedia
