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Indiana Jones: The Complete Collection (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, Last Crusade & Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) [1981]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Reviews

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

It’s said that the original is the greatest, and there can be no more vivid proof than Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first and indisputably best of the initial three Indiana Jones adventures cooked up by the dream team of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Expectations were high for this 1981 collaboration between the two men, who essentially invented the box office blockbuster with ‘70s efforts like Jaws and Star Wars, and Spielberg (who directed) and Lucas (who co-wrote the story and executive produced) didn’t disappoint. This wildly entertaining film has it all: non-stop action, exotic locations, grand spectacle, a hero for the ages, despicable villains, a beautiful love interest, humour, horror… not to mention lots of snakes. And along with all the bits that are so familiar by now--Indy (Harrison Ford) running from the giant boulder in a cave, using his pistol instead of his trusty whip to take out a scimitar-wielding bad guy, facing off with a hissing cobra, and on and on--there’s real resonance in a potent storyline that brings together a profound religious-archaeological icon (the Ark of the Covenant, nothing less than "a radio for speaking to God") and the 20th century’s most infamous criminals (the Nazis). Now that’s entertainment. --Sam Graham

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

It’s hard to imagine that a film with worldwide box office receipts topping US$300 million worldwide could be labeled a disappointment, but some moviegoers considered Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, the second installment in Steven Spielberg and George Lucas’ 1980s adventure trilogy, to be just that. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad effort; any collaboration between these two cinema giants (Spielberg directed, while Lucas provided the story and was executive producer) is bound to have more than its share of terrific moments, and Temple of Doom is no exception. But in exchanging the very real threat of Nazi Germany for the cartoonish Thuggee cult, it loses some of the heft of its predecessor (Raiders of the Lost Ark); on the other hand, it’s also the darkest and most disturbing of the three films, what with multiple scenes of children enslaved, a heart pulled out of a man’s chest, and the immolation of a sacrificial victim, which makes it less fun than either Raiders or The Last Crusade, notwithstanding a couple of riotous chase scenes and impressively grand sets. Many fans were also less than thrilled with the new love interest, a spoiled, querulous nightclub singer portrayed by Kate Capshaw, but a cute kid sidekick ("Short Round," played by Ke Huy Quan) and, of course, the ever-reliable Harrison Ford as the cynical-but-swashbuckling hero more than make up for that character’s shortcomings. --Sam Graham

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

The third episode in Steven Spielberg's rousing Indiana Jones saga, this film recaptures the best elements of Raiders of the Lost Ark while exploring new territory with wonderfully satisfying results. Indy is back battling the Nazis, who have launched an expedition to uncover the whereabouts of the Holy Grail. And it's not just Indy this time--his father (played with great acerbic wit by Sean Connery, the perfect choice) is also involved in the hunt. Spielberg excels at the kind of extended action sequences that top themselves with virtually every frame; the best one here involves Indy trying to stop a Nazi tank from the outside while his father is being held within. For good measure, Spielberg reveals (among other things) how Indy got his hat, the scar on his chin, and his nickname (in a prologue that features River Phoenix as the young Indiana). --Marshall Fine

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Nearly 20 years after riding his last Crusade, Harrison Ford makes a welcome return as archaeologist/relic hunter Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, an action-packed fourth installment that's, in a nutshell, less memorable than the first three but great nostalgia for fans of the series. Producer George Lucas and screenwriter David Koepp (War of the Worlds) set the film during the cold war, as the Soviets--replacing Nazis as Indy's villains of choice and led by a sword-wielding Cate Blanchett with black bob and sunglasses--are in pursuit of a crystal skull, which has mystical powers related to a city of gold. After escaping from them in a spectacular opening action sequence, Indy is coerced to head to Peru at the behest of a young greaser (Shia LaBeouf) whose friend--and Indy's colleague--Professor Oxley (John Hurt) has been captured for his knowledge of the skull's whereabouts. Whatever secrets the skull holds are tertiary; its reveal is the weakest part of the movie, as the CGI effects that inevitably accompany it feel jarring next to the boulder-rolling world of Indy audiences knew and loved. There's plenty of comedy, delightful stunts--ants play a deadly role here--and the return of Raiders love interest Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood, once shrill but now softened, giving her ex-love bemused glances and eye-rolls as he huffs his way to save the day. Which brings us to Ford: bullwhip still in hand, he's a little creakier, a lot grayer, but still twice the action hero of anyone in film today. With all the anticipation and hype leading up to the film's release, perhaps no reunion is sweeter than that of Ford with the role that fits him as snugly as that fedora hat. --Ellen A. Kim


The Greatest Action Films of All Time
Review date: 2008-08-27 Rating: 10 out of 10

Raiders of the Lost Ark

For all the criticisms George Lucas has received in recent times, we must remember that he did manage to come up with this gem of an idea for a perfect action film, and in doing so he created one of the most iconic action hero's that cinema has ever seen. A role perfectly played by its star, Harrison Ford.
The script, written by Lawrence Kasdan, is expertly directed by Steven Spielberg, who by this stage of his career was firing on all cylinders. He takes Kasdan's script and perfectly balances the dialogue with the action creating a finely tuned fast paced action film.
The opening scene and the `Truck Scene' showcase Spielberg's uncanny ability to create stunning set pieces within his movies. This is something that really sets him apart from other directors, and makes Raiders of the Lost Ark not just one of the best action films of the 80' but one of the finest action films of all time.


Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Second time round for Indy and in my opinion the weakest of the four movies.
At the request of George Lucas, scriptwriters Willard Huyck & Gloria Katz turned in a far darker and more foreboding script than the previous movie. George felt that the second film should be a lot darker, following in a similar vein to the second Star Wars film, `The Empire Strikes Back'.
With a lot of script ideas left over from `Raiders' the film certainly wasn't short on creativity or action set pieces. But, it seems Spielberg wasn't entirely comfortable with the direction George had decided to take the franchise. Dealing with a lot of the darkness Spielberg wisely injected a lot more humour into the script, of which is handled very well by performers Ford and Ke Huy Quan, who have some very amusing scenes together. Kate Capshaw's performance as Willie Scott is routinely criticised. admittedly there is a lot of screaming, but in my opinion I feel she gives a well balanced performance that doesn't really detract from the other actors, or from the actual film.

My main criticism is that a great deal of the movie is spent within the Temple itself and I felt the film could have benefited had they made more out our hero's escape. I'm every bit as grateful as our intrepid action hero to see daylight after so many hours spent in the doom and gloom.

Although this is the weakest film in the cannon it still remains a thoroughly enjoyable and exciting action epic, knocking spots of any imitators to the throne. Proving that even Spielberg on a bad day is better than most directors on a good day.


Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Perfectly balanced sequel, with some fine comedy.
This remains my favourite Indy sequel/prequel. Spielberg gets a firm grip on the reins and delivers what are to some, the finest of the Indiana Jones films.
The real genius of this sequel lies in the addition of Sean Connery playing Indy's Father. It works well and provides some great on screen chemistry, creating some fine comedic moments between Ford and Connery. Harrison pulls faces and shrugs shoulders as his dad continually undermines him. I have always felt that Harrison Ford's comic ability is greatly underappreciated, and it should also be noted that Ford is one of cinema's finest physical actors, reacting to kicks and punches like no other actor, and in doing so adds tension and excitement to one of the films most exciting set pieces, the `Tank Scene'.


Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Nineteen years in the making and five different screenwriters that had Ford, Spielberg and Lucas all banging heads trying to agree on the films overall direction. Was it worth the wait? Well in my opinion, it was indeed!

I found the opening sequence thoroughly exciting, and after Raiders, it remains the best opening sequence of the franchise. There have been criticisms of the flying fridge scene, and although it is 'over the top', it is by no means anymore unrealistic than Indy leaping out of a plane on a life raft, or a mine cart jumping thirty foot over the breaks in the tracks and landing perfectly on the other side.

Harrison Ford, although grey haired and obviously older, manages to deliver a spot on performance as the ageing Indiana. Only on the removal of his hat do you remember that this is a man in his sixty's. Shia LaBeouf on the other hand fails to shine and only fulfils his role adequately. Ray Winstone's character feels underdeveloped and the film misses out on what could have been a great performance. Karen Allen reprises her role as Marion Ravenwood and lights up the screen with her arrival. John Hurt is wasted and Cate Blanchett delivers nothing more than a two dimensional performance.

The negatives aside, the film is exciting, intriguing, and highly enjoyable. The two hour running time just flew by. My only criticism is that the `Jungle Chase' could of done with a little less CGI, and that overall, the film could of done with just one more action scene.

I feel the majority of the criticism aimed at this movie is completely unjustified. Spielberg, Lucas and Ford have delivered a fine movie and a worthy addition to the Indy franchise.


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Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Shia LaBeouf
Ray Winstone
Cate Blanchett
Harrison Ford
Julian Glover

Creators:
Harrison Ford (Primary Contributor)
Julian Glover (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5014437982636
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 5
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2008-11-10
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 461 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1981

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