On a dragass DVD week dominated by the drab and preachy The Great Debaters, the painfully unfunny Mad Money and the totally unwatchable Untraceable, Indy comes to the rescue. With the fourth installment—Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull—just nine days away from your local multiplex, the DVD gods have picked an ideal time to re-release the first three Indy chapters in spanking new editions. Director Steven Spielberg and producer George Lucas have done intros for each movie, there are new bonus features not included on the 2003 DVD package, and the images jump off the screen with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound to goose them. But the big question before the May 22nd opening of Indy 4, is how to rank the first three. To refresh your memory:
Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981
Lucas wanted to do a film about a daredevil archeologist set in the 1930s and modeled on that era’s cliffhangers. So he sketched a plot that pits his hero, Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones, against the Nazis, who are searching for the Ark of the Covenant—a golden chest said to contain the broken tablets of the Ten Commandments. Hitler is hot to have it. Indy, armed only with a bullwhip and his sharp-tongued lady love (Karen Allen), sets out to save the Ark for democracy. Historical fact does not figure prominently in these proceedings, but fun does. Ford’s satirical approach to macho is priceless. And director Steven Spielberg stages an exultantly good-humored, head-on, rousing series of traps and escapes, raising movie escapism very near the level of art. The opening scene with Indy being chased by a giant ball inside a jungle cave is a true DVD demo classic.
Indiana Jones the Temple of Doom 1984
The sequel took a few hits from critics who complained about the gore, children being whipped and kicked, and one man’s heart getting torn out of his chest as a sacrifice. (The PG-13 rating was practically invented so this blockbuster wouldn’t get an R rating). Tame by today’s standards, the movie begins with Indy hooking up with singer Willie Scott (Kate Capshaw, the future Mrs. Spielberg) and Short Round (Ke Huy Quan), a twelve-year-old Vietnamese handful. They both help Indy restore a sacred stone to an Indian village. “Fortune and glory, kid,” Indy tells Short Round, as succinct an explanation as you’ll find for the film’s appeal, and Indy’s. Spielberg admits he may have gone overboard with the heart ripping. But the opening is still a sensation with Capshaw singing “Anything Goes,” mostly in Chinese, at a Shanghai nightclub in 1935. Indy is among the listeners. A brawl ensues, causing Indy, Willie and Short Round to flee via roadster, tri-motor plane, life raft, and elephant.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade 1989
Chapter three boasts a secret weapon: Sean Connery cast way against type as Indy’s prissy dad Dr. Henry Jones, a professor of antiquity whose nose was buried in musty parchments when his young, motherless son needed a guiding hand. When dad goes missing while searching for the Holy Grail, it’s Indy to the rescue. Sonny boy is barely through the window when Dad beans him with a vase. “Junior?” he asks. “Don’t call me Junior” moans Indy. Strafed by an enemy plane, Dad starts to chase a flock of sea birds with his umbrella. But Indy’s exasperation turns to admiration when the rising flock blinds the pilot and sends the plane into a nosedive. Ford and Connery have a mocking rapport that makes the film fly, along with Spielberg’s nonstop stunts. Watch out for the plane in the tunnel.
OK, enough nostalgia. Let's rate them. I think you'll agree that No. 1 is Raiders, the first and the best of the series, arguably in the top three adventure movies of all time. No. 2, from my point of view, is The Last Crusade, thanks to the Ford-Connery combo that becomes Ford and Shia LeBeouf in Indy 4. And holding up the rear is Temple of Doom, which moves in fits and starts, but is far livelier than memory serves after watching the DVD. All reasonable arguments accepted.
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austin | May 23, 2008 11:34 AM
i like all of the indy films!
raiders and last crusade are kinda in the same boat, they have that classic WWII-Indy feel, with temple of doom being the most symbolic/spiritual of the bunch. i.e. - both lucas and spielberg were fathers going through divorces, [why else for the symbolic ripping out of the heart and freeing enslaved children?]
i think "Kingdom" is kinda capturing the essence of all three, [soviets, "living dead" a young side kick,]
SO
i hope everyone can enjoy all three films, and not rank them in some arbitrary order.
Nelson | May 21, 2008 10:50 PM
The best movie is the first one: Raiders.
Billfold | May 19, 2008 10:12 AM
Yeah, Gonzo. "Probably the worst movie ever". Your hyperbole exposes you as a moron.
And Kirbyforever - take a look at who the reviewer is. My guess is that he's seen more movies this year than you've ever seen in your life.
Matt | May 18, 2008 2:11 PM
1. Last Crusade
2. Raiders
3. Temple of Doom
Last Crusade is my all-time favorite movie. Every time I watch it, I feel like I notice something new and amazing. The Ford-Connery match up and the return of Sallah and Brody only capitalize on the excellence of Raiders and grail/father-son theme redeems the franchise from the campy estrangement of Temple of Doom.
Mark | May 16, 2008 6:02 PM
1. Raiders
2. Doom
3. Crusade
The filmmaking in Doom is far superior to Crusade, which at times feels like a lazy retread of Raiders. It's just a bit too bland for me, with Indiana relegated to a stooge for Connery's schtick, and Marcus and Sallah turned into comedy caricatures.
Doom still had Spielberg firing on all cylinders, before he attempted to become an 'artist' with Color Purple and Empire of the Sun. Doom has beautiful cinematography, incredible set design, one of the greatest film scores of all time and the most exciting last half hour in film history.
Crusade's action sequences just don't match up, the half-assed boat scene at the beginning, the badly filmed boat chase in Venice and the tank chase through the desert, which is a poor man's version of the truck chase from Raiders.
Let's hope Crystal Skull can recapture some of the verve and energy of Raiders and Doom, and not the laziness and disappointment of Crusade.
Anonymous | May 16, 2008 4:34 AM
Raiders is the best.
Followed by Doom.
Last Crusade comes last for me. Great opening sequence, but it goes down hill rapidly from there!
Larry R. | May 15, 2008 5:39 PM
Pulling out a live beating heart and the emphasis on the whole Kali thing didn't exactly endear "Doom" to fans, though it did produce the memorable line "Prepare to meet Kali -- in hell!" I agree with your ranking. Hopefully the new one is better than "Doom"! Last Crusade and Raiders were much more redemptive w/ Judeo-Christian imagery.
pankun | May 15, 2008 5:33 PM
A humble request to the moderately intelligent Americans over here: please read this article about temple of doom by Shashi Tharoor, former UN undersecretary general and author
http://www.shashitharoor.com/articles/toi/temple.php
Thank you
Lou | May 15, 2008 4:37 PM
The Temple of Doom was racist as hell. From the ridiculous "Meeeester Jones" villain, to guys wearing Johnny Carson's swami turban eating monkey brains and baby snakes, to hordes of scary brownies talking mumbo jumbo "balakshalaklakshababa" lines, Temple of Doom has it all. Can't wait for this next installment of our white hero stealing artifacts from more brown people. I think Bollywood should make a movie about an Indian archaeologist who steals the British crown jewels and returns them to India, killing scores of whities in the process.
Kirbyforever | May 15, 2008 1:02 PM
Whst a brazenly obvious choice. way to go reviewer. next: the star wars prequels don't match the old ones
TH | May 15, 2008 12:35 PM
Loved all three. That being said, I have been waiting to share these great films with my two sons, and Doom is way too intense with the heart rending and child beating material.
Gonzo | May 15, 2008 6:12 AM
Temple of Doom is probably the worst movie ever. Bad, bad research.
harrison ford | May 15, 2008 12:20 AM
i've seen temple of doom abou 20 times. its the best¡
Jim | May 14, 2008 10:10 PM
I revisited all 3 movies last weekend for the first time in ages. heres my rundown.
Raiders is definitely the most classic
Doom is the most action packed
Last crusade has the best screenplay.
Raiders is the untouchable classic. Doom took the action and set pieces to the next level. Last crusade put depth and dimension to the indy character. Theyre all great in their own ways.
AkuraSamurai | May 14, 2008 9:39 PM
Every1 has a favourite so convincing people otherwise is pointless i loved them all they all had their moments all i know 4 sure is i enjoyed Temple of Doom the most and nothing will ever change that.
Johnny Ray | May 14, 2008 8:19 PM
Hey Hey !
The joke I've always had with Dvds is you know you've watch way too many movies when you notice the Temple Of Doom is prequel not sequel to Raiders Of Lost Ark !!! That's thing with Indiana Jones Trilogy ! Two of movies tie into each other because are basically built around the same themes, Nazi's, Middle East, Nazi's, Priceless Relics, Nazi's, Bar Fights With Expensive Military Equipment, Nazi's,Supernatural Powers Beyond Realm Of Human Understanding, Nazi's Etc.Etc. That's why to me, Temple Doom is best Indiana Jones Movie is because it's only stand alone Indiana Jones Movie out there! Now that's there second stand alone Indiana Jones movie that coming out I so hope the movie can match it ! Unless they are Nazi's and yeah you know that some this movie taking place in South America and we all know that is where all Nazi's went to, to escape the war !!! Man after two movies of Nazi's Hitler so better be in the next movie man ...
David | May 14, 2008 5:52 PM
I loved "Raiders" It's definitely #1. I enjoyed "Last Crusade" much more than "Temple of Doom." I actually don't care for the second installment that much. A very disappointing sequal when compared to "Raiders." I hope "Crystal Skull" lives up to the others. The fact that it's been 19 years may cause some problems but I have much faith in Spielberg, Ford and Lucas that they've do good for the fans.
jason N | May 14, 2008 5:46 PM
the first one is the best of all...then comes Crusade and in the third place doom...but ni my opinion they are all classics...cant wait to see Cristal Skull
marius | May 14, 2008 3:12 PM
lets just hope these 3 dont make the new one look stupid.
Scott | May 14, 2008 3:03 PM
Raiders is number 1 by a country mile. I'd call it the 2nd best action movie ever made (Road Warrior is, and probably always will be, the perfect action movie). The shot early on in Raiders where Indy comes running over the hilltop, dust flying off his jacket with each pounding footstep, screaming "Jock, start the engines!", followed by the tribe of natives running over the hilltop after him...I'm smiling ear-to-ear every time I see that shot.
jay | May 14, 2008 2:19 PM
River Phoenix's work in "Crusade" tips the scales in its favor over "Doom", so yeah, I agree:
1. Raiders
2. Crusade
3. Doom
Alex | May 14, 2008 1:48 PM
I'd say they are all equal.
JasonTHX | May 14, 2008 12:38 PM
Raiders is my favorite movie of all time. This is the movie that made me love movies. I've seen it 200 times. (Yes, seriously.) If there is such a thing as a perfect movie, Raiders is it. I think Pauline Kael was in the middle on this one and I think she liked Doom more. As for Doom, I think it's an eye-popping, breathless experience. It doesn't hypnotize you gradually like Raiders did, Doom grabs your throat from the beginning and keeps you held for it's entire two hours. John Williams truly outdid himself in this one. Raiders is still my favorite score of all time but Doom's score brings tears to my eyes just for sheer brilliance. Last Crusade is not as great as the first too, but it is wonderful in many parts. That opening had my heart in my throat. The Connery touch was fine. I had issues with turning the elegant Marcus into a bumbling old fool. But the movie is still fun, fun, fun even though the threat of danger isn't as prominant as it is in the first two. But i grew up with indiana, my favorite movie character of all time and Crystal Skull is going to be amazing. Too bad Douglas Slocombe isn't lensing this one though. I like Kaminski very, very much especially after just seeing Diving Bell but Dougie knew how to make an Indy movie alive.
Movie Mike | May 14, 2008 11:51 AM
If anything...Doom and Last Crusade are tied. Doom is great. Some of the best lines of the series are in Doom.
"We...are going...to die!!" Hilarious!
Yeah, it's dark and gloomy, (and would surely be rated R today), but the action is amazing.
Jumping out of a plane with a life raft? The mining car chase near the end? Cutting the bridge in half? Flippin' awesome, man. Awesome.
Justin | May 14, 2008 11:33 AM
Why did so many people like Doom? If you haven't seen it since your childhood I sugest a rewatch, it is by far the worst Indy movie. Capshaw ruins it for me and the script (I don't know if Lucas is to blame) is just lame and corny.
That little Asian kid is classic though, when Indy and him both catch eachother cheating on cards, Good Stuff.
Bfett31 | May 14, 2008 9:30 AM
After just watching all 3 films last week I found a new appreciation for "Temple of Doom". With that being said, nothing can top "Raiders". So it goes for me...
1. Raiders
2. Doom
3. Last Crusade
Can't wait til next week to see "Crystal Skull"
Go Indy!
Jeeh | May 14, 2008 9:09 AM
For me it's between Raiders and Last Crusade. While Raiders is most hailed for good reasons, Connery and Ford are amazing together. It's a tie I guess. Doom takes 2nd place, but still delivers in the beginning and it's amazing last 30 minutes.
Nolan Martin | May 14, 2008 7:35 AM
Just one more week until Indy 4!!!!! Woo Hoo!!! Can't Wait!!! Here's my fav Indiana Jones Movie list. 1. Last Crusade. Allot of Indiana Jones fans say Raiders, Na. I love this movie. The Father- Son storyline makes it great, Its hilarious, fun and touching. No 2. Raiders of the Lost Ark- The movie that inspired me to be an actor(No joke, I watched it a million times when I was a kid. No 3. Temple of Doom- Has its moments, is a straight up cheesy gorey comedy.
piercesoppinionwins | May 14, 2008 2:32 AM
I put Raiders at number one. It was the first one, and sets the scene and introduces indianas world.
Second , Last Crusade. After watching Temple of Doom was seeing Indy in jeopardy of becoming an entertaining but two dimensional pulp character.
Last Crusade rescues him from this
and gives the series vulnerability,dimension and ultimatly a soul.
I have a feeling Crystal Skull comes next. Whereas the first and third films were more religious lore, this seems like the ghost story of the bunch.
Last is Doom, which is a fantastic film, mercilessly pulpy, just has LESS to it than the rest.
Juan Carlo | May 13, 2008 11:22 PM
The again, why would I WANT to rate these? This trilogy was over the top befoer there was over the top -- and I mean it in a good way. But please, Short Round gets old after about half an hour --so here's to hoping Shia LaBeouf is truly the sidekick Indy deserves. So yeah, Doom in third, but not by far.
Stist | May 13, 2008 9:46 PM
I think Doom is getting the short end of the stick here. For my money, Doom's got more good lines, cool scenes (the dinner scene at the castle, the bugs, and yeah the human sacrifice) and characters (Shorty's one of the best sidekick's of all time, loyal to the end, and Willie's so hot). For me #2 is far superior to #3 which leaves me feeling limp even though I've tried really hard to like it for almost 20 years now.
I'm going out on a limb here:
1st place: Temple of Doom
2nd place: Raiders
3rd place: Crystal Skull (beats Crusade site unseen)
4th place: Last Crusade
JimmyPage | May 13, 2008 9:41 PM
No argue with the ranking but it was a huge mistake to cast Capshaw. She was completely out of her element (what roles did she subsequently take?) and her whining almost torpedoed the film's high points.
Jay | May 13, 2008 8:01 PM
"Doom" was rated PG, not PG-13. It certainly helped the creation of the PG-13 rating, but it was not invented for this film. (First movie to get rated PG-13 was "The Flamingo Kid". Useless trivia. Impress your friends!)
Seth | May 13, 2008 6:40 PM
Doom's first 30 minutes of pure awesome set too high bar for the rest of the movie to live up to. It belongs in 3rd place.
Saad | May 13, 2008 4:02 PM
I think for the most part you got it right...2 and 3 are really underrated...really really underrated...they're all classic...in their own ways...
i admit thought that the seconds mine shaft ride almost rivals the firsts opening sequence...almost...
Bedheaded | May 13, 2008 3:37 PM
No argument here.