In just 3 week time and the start of the 4th week, Indiana Jones makes his return to the big screen.  In 1989, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” was released in theaters.  19 years later, Harrison Ford returns in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”.  For the next 3 weeks, I’ll be looking back at all three films of the Indiana Jones franchise reviewing each film and ending off with a review for Crystal Skull.  In each film, there is still life in the love for these adventure movies.  Still holding water nearly 20 years after the last film premiered and still being some of the best adventure movies to date.

Originally, “Radiers of the Lost Ark” before the title “Indiana Jones” was added started out as simply, “The Adventures of Indiana Smith” by George Lucas.  In a attempt to bring back a modern version of the 1930s - 40s serials, George Lucas collaborated with Philip Kaufman and created “Raiders of the Lost Ark”.  Escaping Star Wars fame for a while, George Lucas was in Maui along with friend Steven Spielberg who he convinced to join him in creating what would become a timeless franchise.  After changing the name from Indiana Smith to Indiana Jones, Spielberg and Lucas made a deal with Paramount Pictures and from there it’s all history.

For the full article read more after the jump!

“Raiders of the Lost Ark,” considered to be the best in the series was shot for a low budget even for that time.  $20 million dollars eventually turned into $385 million in world wide. That box office take is a remarkable feet.  Even movies of today sometimes has a very hard time making that kind of money. 

Harrison Ford is one of several actors considered for the role of Indiana Jones, including Tom Selleck who was actually casted at one point but forced to pull out.  Imagining another actor other then Harrison Ford is simply impossible because he owns the character of Jones, not because its the norm, its because he dominated the character.  Looking back on past films and trying to give an honest review like I’ve never seen them before is impossible.  I have such love for these movies that I’m bias.  Still, trying to look at Harrison Ford’s performance as Jones, taking into consideration that he’s meant to be a serial character makes perfect sense that he was simply amazing.  Taking Intelligence, laughter and total macho-ness, Harrison Ford creates a house hold name that is Indiana Jones. 

The opening scene in “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, taking place in 1936, we first find Indiana Jones in the Peruvian Jungle searching for a Golden Idol.  That scene in the temple turns out to be one of the most memorable in film history.  Looking back at that opening sequence, it’s funny how it seems so simple compared to the type of action sequences of today.  Yet at the same time, the whole thing being practical, with no added CGI effects is amazing and funny enough and still better then a lot of things that we see today.  In the entire film all the sets and special effects were practical effects and because of that the effort, time and love goes into all of the set building and so forth.  Everything between the Peruvian temple to the Egyptian tomb that contained the Ark, turns out to be perfection.  The Ark itself is a glorious piece of prop work that I personally would like to just touch once or take a picture with.  Probably one of the most satisfying scenes in Raiders is the first reveal of the Ark.  The beautiful golden piece being lifted out of its tomb with an ambient golden light on the faces of Jones and side kick, Sallah played by another amazing actor John Rhys-Davis (Lord of the Rings) is amazing.  What would a hero be without his love interest?  Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood, who isn’t your typical damsel in distress, but a tough, strong spirited adventurer that still shows her feminine side and restricted love for Indiana Jones, who she hates and loves at the same time.

In all films based just before or during World War II, the Nazi’s would logically play the villains but never have the Nazi characters ever been so enjoyable to watch.  They always played the pure evil villains, which they were to begin with, but Indiana Jones made the Nazi villain one of the best villain in movie history.  That is attributed to the acting by Paul Freeman as the French Dr. Belloq, Wolf Kahler as the leading Nazi Colonel Dietrich and Ronald Lacey as Toht.  All three you can see die in another movie scene which would be remember for many many years later.

What is a movie of course with out the great compositions of a talented conductor?  John Williams, one of the most famous and talented movie score composers ever, here in Raiders of the Lost Ark he put together a score that, like the film, would go down in cinema history and would be recognized by fans all around the world.  The Raiders March, as it’s called would become the theme song for Indiana Jones and all of the films.  Each film containing a different sub theme for the film itself, Raiders had The Ark Theme, a powerful and mysterious score.  While looking at the Ark and hearing the music makes Indiana Jones even more of an amazing film experience.

If Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark came out today, I’d say it would have a more then excellent chance of being better then any of the action films today.  Between the excellent characters, actors, sets and overall love in making this film, Raiders of the Lost Ark will forever have life in film history and will never live down the creative and directorial genius behind it.  On a scale from 1 to 10 and remember that I’m bias, Raiders of the Lost Ark scores a 10.  Its was that damn good then and its that damn good now. 

It was the last time we saw the Ark, however, will we see the Ark again in Crystal Skull?  Hmmmm…. Soon we’ll find out.

Indiana Jones: Raiders Of The Lost Ark Photos x27 HQ

-Phil