| Product: |
The Indiana Jones Trilogy (4 DVDs) |
| Date: |
20.11.05 (79 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: All the films together for the first time .
Disadvantages: Some of the effects shots now look a little ropey
Whips,chains,maidens,heroes,nazis action and adventure! What more could you want from a film, ok then three films and a bonus DVD of special features. Grab your dusty old fedora and bullwhip folks cos Dr Jones is in town.
It is difficult for me to know where to start with this review because I love the whole Indiana Jones experience. He is the action hero of the 1950's Saturday morning cinema,brought bang up to date....well sort of (more about my only gripe later) .
Dr Jones is an archetypal archaeologist. he works in a university,he wears glasses and mumbles about relics of old. But at weekends he wears a dress and calls himself Mandy. Dr Indiana Jones works in the classroom next door and he does all of the latter but at weekends he hunts for the Ark of the Covenant and The Holy Grail.
What is it all about?
George Lucas and Steven Spielberg are both major fans of the Saturday morning cliffhanger. While discussing this and their dogs (yep, all will be explained later) they came up with their own version of a ripping yarn. Tom Selleck was one of their origional choices to play the man in the hat, but when he didn't work out, George phoned his old carpenter friend to help him out. Harrison Ford read the script and has since been known as the only man to have had a successful career outside Star Wars. The concept will be familiar to any star wars fan, but the battle of good verses evil is dropped out of the sky and into a world on the brink of Nazi Power (a bit like girl power but without the record deal). A lone hero, not a ranger, but a scientist with a passion for saving religious relics, saves the day. Along the way he meets the girl,defeats the Nazis and always manages to save his hat. We follow this reluctant hero on his dangerous, and comical at times, adventures. The mood varies,the scenery is stunning and the action has to be seen to be believed.
What do you get for your money then?
The three movies of the trilogy and a bonus disc bursting with extra material.All remastered and now with 5.1 sound courtesy of THX..All of this for the first time on dvd collected as a boxette.
Disc 1 Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Extras on disc are the basic subtitles and scene selections.All menues are animated.Link to indianajones.com for web content.
Running time of feature 111min
This story is the introduction to Dr Jones or Indiana as he would rather be known.There is the cinematic classic opening of him being chased by the huge boulder. Indy has to find the Ark of the covenant before the Nazis do. With the help of the greatly underrated Denholm Elliott. Traps,poison arrows,and snakes.He hates snakes! If you have every seen the modern re-makes of the Mummy with Brendan Fraser, you will recognise the style.However this film is the first and will always be the gratest.
Disc 2 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Extras on disc are the basic subtitles and scene selections.All menues are animated.Link to indianajones.com for web content.
Running time of feature 112min
Comic relief takes over in the second film. A kid named Short Round and Romantic comic sidekick love interest Willie Scott "expand " the cast. They are really used as motivation for Indy in this one. Before I go any further you must know that Indiana Jones was named after George Lucas' dog Indiana. But a lot of people don't know that Short Round was the name of Stephen Spielberg's dog. Oh and while i'm on useless facts, Kate Capshaw who plays Willie is actually Mrs Spielberg! The Temple of doom in the title is an Indian Cult temple. The action kicks off in "Club Obi-Wan" in Shanghai and keeps on going and going.Until the trio land in an indian village where a child Maharaja appears to be the centre of all evil. Indy is searching for some Glowing Rocks that have been stolen from a sacred place in a village......along with all the children from that village! He puts 2 and 2 together, pushes a trap door and finds the Temple.Pretty much. Classic scenes are the Banquet of Monkey brains,sheeps head and snake surprise. The infamous mining car chase through the tunnels is always the one i rember this
film for.
Disc 3 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Extras on disc are the basic subtitles and scene selections.All menues are animated.Link to indianajones.com for web content.
Running time of feature 122min
They saved the best for last. "The Jones Boys are in town", or "keeping up with the Joneses" were two taglines I remember. back to classic Indy. His father (Sean Connery) is missing. Dr Jones Snr has had a lifelong obsession with the Holy Grail. Jnr has to find his Daddy and the Grail before....booo hisss the Nazi's get their paws on it. The film opens flashback style with River Pheonix playing the Young Indiana. (A whole tv series in it's own right.) We discover how Indy/Harrison gets his Bullwhip,Hat,fear of snakes and even the cut on his chin.Nice touch.Sean Connery underplays the part brilliantly. There was obviously a great relationship on and off set. It shows in the chemistry. Classic scenes are the Zeplin aeroplane dogfight where Sean shoots through the tail wing, the tank and horse chase, and the father and son reunion infront of an open fire....open and blazing all around them while they are tied back to back in a chair!!!!!. Brilliant dialogue.
Disc 4 Indiana Jones Bonus Materials
Extras are this disc!
Running time of feature 184min
You basically get the history, development and life story of the whole thing. Probably the best collection of behind the scenes footage, pictures and interviews I have seen on a dvd. facts, and little stories that will have you will be spouting off like I do to other people for months.(for example Pat Roach the wrestler was in all three films playing different parts!)
OK OK BUT WHAT'S ON IT!
You are getting a dedicated making of the trilogy documentary.
Featurettes; The stunts of Indiana Jones, The Sound of Indiana Jones, The Music of Indiana Jones and The Light and Magic of Indiana Jones.
Trailers; Raiders of the lost ark (teaser,Theatrical and re-issue). Temple of doom (Theatrical only). Last Crusade (teaser and Theatrical). Emperor's Tomb (game review)
Link to indianajones.com
Subtitle and sound set up
DVD credits
Phew. That is it. Oh apart from the little gate-fold booklet that tells you what is on the bonus DVD.
So my final thoughts.....
I love the films. I love the characters. I love the whole idea and it has been ripped off for years (see goonies, the mummy and the mummy returns etc). But One thing does dissapoint. The groundbreaking visual effects have dated rather badly. The cgi does look poor in relation to modern stuff. The model work looks jumpy and the blue screen work is obvious. But hey, i'm just being picky. George Lucas has seen fit to touch up Star Wars, it is a shame he didn't do much with these before bringing them out on DVD .
Verdict....BUY IT or be sorry.
Prices vary on this boxette depending on location of course.
I got it as a present but am delighted to say that my Wife must love me because it costs on average about £35. (price based on 6 retailers checked on 02/11/05)
Thank you
Summary: It may not be Star Wars but George Lucas did co create it!
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