I'm back albeit part time!! Almost settled in completely, so finally able to come back to write and ...
I'm back albeit part time!! Almost settled in completely, so finally able to come back to write and read - and have loads to read!!! Thanks for the r/r/c's much appreciated and will be returned!!!!
Member since:02.10.2005
Reviews:124
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I am a bit of an Indiana Jones fan and I am not ashamed to admit this fact to people. I suppose it's being married to a star trek fan who loves star wars, and watching the inidiana jones films is just another part of the life!
I suppose that another part of the fascination with the Indiana Jones films is the fact that archaeology intrigues me and I love to watch programmes about the past and things like Time Team and the like. I would like to think that in another lifetime I would have the time to study ancient latin or egyptian. I also have a fascination with the legend of the Holy Grail so a film about an intrepid archaeologist would be perfect for me? We shall see ...
***Synopsis***
Set in the mid 1930's, Indiana Jones is a man on a mission. He is an archaeologist with a difference. He likes adventure. In fact, he thrives on it.
After a close escape
from the Chinese equivalent of the mafia, Indiana (Harrison Ford) escapes on a plane with his little friend Short Round (Ke Huy Quan) and nightclub singer Willie Scott (Kate Capshaw). Unfortunately their plane crashes in the Himalayas.
Stranded in the middle of nowhere, and somewhere in India, Jones is approached by a village shaman who begs him for help to return a sacred stone to its rightful place in the village. Only then will the village thrive again. Also there is something not quite right with the village. There are no children. It turns out that all the children have mysteriously "disappeared" from this village and others in the area. Before the sacred stone was taken, the village and the surrounding area were thriving and full of healthy crops. Now the village is suffering and the people starving.
Indiana decides to help the villagers find their stone, as it is linked to a myth about 5 sacred stones, and whoever has all five in their possession will rule the world! Jones is intrigued by this and goes about trying to find the stone for the village and save the children.
It turns out that the stone has been stolen by a Thugee sect who now have 3 of the 5 sacred stones. They have also kidnapped the children and force them to mine in the tunnels to try to find the remaining 2 stones.
Jones is ably helped by Short Round, his little friend from Hong Kong and by Willie, who's only interest is in diamonds, gold and cold hard cash! She is a trooper who will do almost anything to get paid!
Will Jones find the stones? Will he get the girl? Will the children be saved? You will just have to watch the film to find out the answers to those and other questions you may have.
***My Opinion***
I have to say that this was the first of the Indiana Jones films that I had ever watched and it certainly grabbed my attention. I enjoyed it back in the 1980's and I still enjoy watching it today.
Ok lets be really honest about this one - as far as special effects go, at least you can't see the strings attached! The effects are pretty standardised as far as the 1980's were concerned. By today's standards of effects, they are pretty terrible. But when you are watching the film you have to remember that it was made over 20 years ago.
The soundtrack is pretty uninspiring. To be honest I can't really remember any of the tracks, but I don't really take much notice of soundtracks. I'm more interested in the film and the storyline than the music. But to be honest I never really notice soundtracks!
Performance wise, Ford is impeccable as Jones. I canot imagine anyone else being Indiana Jones. He brings a roughness to the character that is unique to his performances. He also brings a touch of humanity, in that he plays Jones as tough, yet compassionate to the sufferings of others.
Capshaw is not too bad as Willie, although at times I did find her performance slightly wooden and forced. But the star for me is Ke Huy Quan. After starring in this he went on to star in the Goonies. Many will recognise him from this and he really is a little star! I kept waiting for him to come out with some gadget to help Jones but he really brings a cheeky side to the film.
***Final Word***
I do recommend this. But I can only give it 3 stars. I give it 3 stars for Ford, Quan and the act that it is Indiana Jones. Capshaw's performance (or lack of it) and the pretty naff special effects have cost this 2 stars.
I really enjoyed this film back in the day, and I still enjoy it now. I recommend shopping about for your DVD's on Amazon or Ebay as there are some serious bargains to be had. But if you like Ford, then this is a good movie.
Thanks for reading and look out for giant rolling boulders! Di x
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Jul 27th, 2008
(Jul 26th, 2008)
very helpful by (100%):
