A spellbinding and powerful adventure (Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (DVD))

Member Name: SimonCook

Product:	Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (DVD)
Date:	05/02/02 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Superb action and adventure, Very funny

Disadvantages: Perhaps too much action at times

George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg are perhaps two of the most influential directors in modern movie history. George Lucas, with such classics as the Star Wars trilogy, and Spielberg with innumerable classics such as Jaws, ET, etc. have perfected their directing styles with many blockbuster movies.

In a move that promised much the two collaborated on a movie that mixed several genres together; sci-fi, romance, action-adventure, swashbuckler. comedy and horror are all entwined together to produce a compelling genre of their own.

The collaboration brought about one of the most important movies of the early eighties and catapulted Harrison Ford into superstardom (He was very successful in Star War but really hadn’t broken into mainstream Hollywood until this movie).

The movie perhaps help stimulate interest in a dwindling cinema, where audience numbers were well down and audiences were coming to grips with their VHS players. Hundreds of cinemas had closed down and the movie industry seemed to be in decline; this type of blockbuster helped the audience realise that there is something special about the big screen.

<The movie>

Right from the stunning opening sequences where we find Indiana Jones investigating an ancient tomb and surviving an amazing chase with a large rolling bolder, only to have his prize snatched away from him, we realize that this movie is a fast paced, non stop spectacular that will keep us guessing and will cast many surprises at us.

Indian Jones, is a reserved professor, whose charm and whit enamor him to many of his female students. Part of his allure is a sexy undertone that is burgeoning beneath the surface; a tangible feeling that this professor is far more interesting than his benign exterior. It turns out that Indiana is in fact an antique hunting adventurer whose skill and hardiness is renowned worldwide.

When the US government intercepts a Nazi message pertaining t
o some mysterious artifact – it is suggested that this artifact may in fact be the ‘Covenant of the Ark’. Thus begins our adventure as Indiana attempts to thwart the Nazi’s from gaining control of the Ark (this would supposedly give any army invincibility). We follow Indiana on a roller coaster journey as he encounters gun-toting Nazis, sword-wielding Egyptians, ‘sex’ wielding women and worst of all snakes (our intrepid hero who seems fearless has a deadly fear of snakes). The movie concentrates on Jones and his ability to seemingly get out of many frightening circumstances. His ability to improvise while doing this is almost legendary as he finds abilities that he didn’t know he possessed – e.g. he somehow manages to fly planes even though he has no experience.

The energy of the movies gathers as we watch thrilling chases, and an abundance of action adventure that moves Indiana all over the world as he encounter the evil Nazis and his main nemesis in this movie, an artifact-obsessed archaeologist who will stop at nothing to gain the Ark. The movie essentially becomes a race against time as both archaeologists become embroiled in the search and power struggle that ensues.

Spielberg and Lucas have created a genre that is action packed and yet is tongue-in-cheek – the scene where Indiana faces a sword wielding Egyptian is perhaps one of the most clever staged tongue-in-cheek laughs I have seen. It is this humor combined with the non stop action that catapults this movie to a ‘classic’ status.

<Acting>

I could mention many actors in association with this movie, but I won’t. For me there is only one actor worth mentioning – Harrison Ford, building on his early successes in Star Wars has brought Indiana Jones to life – his acting combines a shrewdness and sparkle that is very evident as you watch the movie.

Harrison, in this one perform
ance really enhanced his reputation, as he became Indian Jones so convincingly. It is odd that he wasn’t the first choice, and I am sure that Tom Selleck, the original choice for the role is kicking himself now!

<Effects>

George Lucas is a wizard when it comes to special effects – add to this the vision of Spielberg and you are guaranteed something special. The special effects are quite simply amazing; they are stunning at yet totally believable. They add to the atmosphere of the movie, building on the music and the action to ensure that the movie appeals to many different senses (eyes, ears, heart – OK so the heart isn’t a sense but it certainly pumps in this movie).

The effects blend in seamlessly into the movie and you don’t find yourself questioning the reality of any of the scenes, this really is a superb technical achievment.


<Score>

For every great movie there is a great score. John Williams, who collaborated with both directors in previous movies (Jaws and Star Wars), adds an energetic score that exemplifies the mood and feel of the movie.

The score ensures that your heart is beating frantically as you follow the adventures of the intrepid Indiana Jones. It is amazing ho0w the score gets the audiences adrenalin pumping and really helps to make you feel as if you are part of the movie.

<Awards>

The movie did receive 8 Oscar nominations but only received technical awards. This is slightly disappointing as the movie probably merits at the very least a ‘Best Director’s’ tag.

<Conclusion>

This movie is really the Grand Daddy of Action Adventure movies – it spawned many clones (e.g. ‘Romancing the Stone’ and more recently ‘The Mummy’). I set a very high standard for these movies to follow and still stands alone as a classic movie. This is an exceptional movie that should g
race every video or CD cabinet.

The combination of different genres works very well and ensures that the movie will appeal to many different types of audience. The stunning visual and special effects make the movie incredibly watchful and exciting.

This movie is definitely one of my favorites and would probably merit a place in my own personal top ten.

Summary: