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[Tizoc]

I had intended to watch this and the 3rd movie some time last year but got sidetracked I am afraid.

I decided to continue by watching Temple of Doom and overall...eh I preferred Raiders more.
One thing I feel really weirded out about is the Indian Palace scene in the first 1/3 of the movie; maybe I'm overthinking it but it came off racist.

Overall I didn't enjoy this movie as much as Raiders; the main events being only in one location (India) and the sense of mystery and search for a great myth or treasure is absent.
Then again the movie's title is Temple of Doom, and the majority of the movie IS in said Temple.

I'm left with one movie now- Last Crusade so I'm hoping I'll enjoy that more; it has Sean Connery for one thing.

 

[fluffydelusions]

1=3>2 imo. It was my least favorite Indiana Jones movie (not counting the recent one) but still a fun movie.

 

[Count Dookkake]

The best.

 

[Kain]

Amazing movie and best thing Lucas has ever been involved with. Fight me

 

[munchie64]

You ain't over thinking really. It is quite racist.

I really like everything from the cave on.

 

[Tizoc]

You ain't over thinking really. It is quite racist.

I really like everything from the cave on.

Oh yeah to be fair the action is good and fun, but coming from Raiders, I ended up liking the Adventurous aspect of Indy more.

 

[Sibersk Esto]

Everything from the cave on is entertaining enough.

 

[George Oscar Bluth II]

It's quite racist, yeah.

I enjoy it quite a lot. It's surprisingly dark, has great set pieces and music, and I just love me some pulpy adventure.

Raiders > Temple > Crusade

 

[h1nch]

I have to say the 2nd one has really grown on me in recent years. I think part of it is that given its polarizing status compared to the other two in the trilogy, it's gotten less airtime on cable and as a result I just haven't seen it as many times as the other films, so it has a certain level of, I dunno, freshness?

While I think Raiders and Crusade are better films, I loved the direction they took with this one. They definitely took some risks. The biggest problem I had with the film was how annoying the female lead was. I thought they could have toned down that angle and made her a much stronger character.

 

[StriKeVillain]

It's amazing.

 

[Sgt. Kabukiman]

My favorite in the series despite the lead actress. It's a great (almost) R-Rated Tintin adaptation. And I adore the opening, it's Spielberg at his best.
2>3>1

 

[Megadragon15]

This movie will rip your heart out.

 

[Timeaisis]

Well, it does have the coolest intro sequence in any movie ever, so there's that.

Spoiler

I really like Temple of Doom.

 

[Scum]

 

[RBH]

3>1>2

 

[Bobby Roberts]

One thing I feel really weirded out about is the Indian Palace scene in the first 1/3 of the movie; maybe I'm overthinking it but it came off racist.

You're not overthinking it - it's ignorant and racist. I believe the screenwriters (who helped Lucas on Star Wars and American Graffiti and then went on to write the annoying bullshit you hear in this movie and then wrote/directed Howard the fucking Duck) have since tried to push some of that off on the fact the films they were homaging were also colonialist and closed-minded, but there's really not too much of an excuse in 1984 to just... keep doing that. Raiders didn't work because they just did the same ol' bullshit the serials did. It worked because they did it bigger, better, leaner, louder.

I think both Lucas and Spielberg, who apparently didn't even fucking notice at the time, caught that backlash shortly after release and it really fucked with them. A lot of people have since focused on how the violence and the "birth of the PG-13" shit really shook Spielberg, and caused him to publicly apologize for aspects of Temple, but they also both started changing worldviews after having their own ignorant bullshit woven into their film so neatly.

But that's also part of the film's power and energy - almost everything kinda mean-spirited, gross, crazy and petulant-little-boy about those two came bubbling up in Temple of Doom because of the confluence of personal life bullshit, sequel pressure, just life in general... It's one of the more weirdly personal films for Spielberg (which is probably why he was apologizing so much for it - not just for having let it get out the door like that, but for having shown so much of himself, and not the GOOD self), and because of that it's one of his more fascinating. I also think he's partially apologizing for basically not giving a fuck while he was making it. The whole movie kinda feels like its' up on two wheels like a speeding, wobbly minecart, and that adds some excitement to it that otherwise wouldn't be there.

Plus it's one of the best directed things he's ever done, especially on the action front.

Which leads one to believe that it'd be well appreciated here considering it's juvenile, snotty, "fuck you I don't care if you're offended" tone should play well in this setting, but it turns out there are a lot of people here who think the best Indiana Jones movie is the flat, sitcom-esque third one that drains almost all tension and danger out of the series (and the set-pieces, save for the opener), turns the supporting characters into total idiots, and seems generally pleased to just be a safe, toothless parody of itself.

Last Crusade is like an Indiana Jones movie for the universe in which ABC's TGIF lineup from the '90s is real life.

Anyway, there's nothing in this post that's going to be more insightful than what Walter Chaw already wrote for Film Freak when the blu-ray set came out.

 

[Nielm]

Raiders Of The Lost Ark is easily the best Indiana Jones film, at least for me.

I didn't like this one that much.

 

[Acquiescence]

1=3>2 imo. It was my least favorite Indiana Jones movie (not counting the recent one) but still a fun movie.

Exactly my opinion. Very enjoyable movie, but not in the same league as the other two godly films it's sandwiched between. Maybe a bit too dark for its own good.

 

[Soapbox Killer]

I never knew it was a prequel growing up. Found out a couple of years ago.

 

[Matty77]

I find Raiders to be a better movie, but Temple is my favorite.

And no your not overthinking it the movie is problematic as fuck, and I am not condoning it, but I do think it builds into the dark oppressive nature of the film.

 

[deleted]

You're not overthinking it - it's ignorant and racist. I believe the screenwriters (who helped Lucas on Star Wars and American Graffiti and then went on to write the annoying bullshit you hear in this movie and then wrote/directed Howard the fucking Duck) have since tried to push some of that off on the fact the films they were homaging were also colonialist and closed-minded, but there's really not too much of an excuse in 1984 to just... keep doing that. Raiders didn't work because they just did the same ol' bullshit the serials did. It worked because they did it bigger, better, leaner, louder.

I think both Lucas and Spielberg, who apparently didn't even fucking notice at the time, caught that backlash shortly after release and it really fucked with them. A lot of people have since focused on how the violence and the "birth of the PG-13" shit really shook Spielberg, and caused him to publicly apologize for aspects of Temple, but they also both started changing worldviews after having their own ignorant bullshit woven into their film so neatly.

But that's also part of the film's power and energy - almost everything kinda mean-spirited, gross, crazy and petulant-little-boy about those two came bubbling up in Temple of Doom because of the confluence of personal life bullshit, sequel pressure, just life in general... It's one of the more weirdly personal films for Spielberg (which is probably why he was apologizing so much for it - not just for having let it get out the door like that, but for having shown so much of himself, and not the GOOD self), and because of that it's one of his more fascinating. I also think he's partially apologizing for basically not giving a fuck while he was making it. The whole movie kinda feels like its' up on two wheels like a speeding, wobbly minecart, and that adds some excitement to it that otherwise wouldn't be there.

Plus it's one of the best directed things he's ever done, especially on the action front.

Which leads one to believe that it'd be well appreciated here considering it's juvenile, snotty, "fuck you I don't care if you're offended" tone should play well in this setting, but it turns out there are a lot of people here who think the best Indiana Jones movie is the flat, sitcom-esque third one that drains almost all tension and danger out of the series (and the set-pieces, save for the opener), turns the supporting characters into total idiots, and seems generally pleased to just be a safe, toothless parody of itself.

Last Crusade is like an Indiana Jones movie for the universe in which ABC's TGIF lineup from the '90s is real life.

Anyway, there's nothing in this post that's going to be more insightful than what Walter Chaw already wrote for Film Freak when the blu-ray set came out.

I love reading about how this movie came to be. It was my favorite out of the trilogy for some time, since it was so weird and so dark - and as a child, I didn't really think about stereotypes or racism, so I didn't realize those parts in the movie were as problematic as they are.

That said, your link isn't working for me. Would like to dive even deeper here.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Thanks for the heads up. It's fixed now (my c+p skills just pasted in the sentence I was trying to link instead of the actual link.)

 

[NealMcCauley]

It seems to get better each time I watch it. Then again I usually go straight to this scene:

My favorite "Shit's about to go down" moment in a movie.

 

[shintoki]

If you removed the annoying kid and girl. It's be my favorite. I adore the horror aspect and set pieces.

But with them in, it's my least favorite.

Raiders still holds the crown as the only great one.

 

[Zvonimir Boban]

I'll just save time by quoting myself from the other thread

Can people stop being wrong please?

Temple has the best opening:

With bonus Dan Aykroyd cameo:

As annoying as Willie is (although that's the whole point, deal with it), their interactions have the best sexual chemistry of the series:

It's got the best villain of the series and it's not even close:

It's got Indy looking at his most bad-ass:

Everyone loves this bit:

and of course, it's got THE iconic shot/silhouette of the character:

That IS Indiana Jones and those ten seconds are better than the entirety of Last Crusade.

That's without mentioning the music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnYIO-4l75M

Not to mention that, unlike the other movies, it also shows genuine character development as we see Indy transformed from selfish "fortune and glory kid, fortune and glory" at the beginning into the person who will later tell treasure hunters that "it belongs in a museum"

 

[Lmo911]

Bobby's got this one right.

It's dark, tight, action packed and probably the best example of them really getting the pulp action movie aspect of it right. It's a great ride.

But damn did it have to be so racist? I mean when I was a kid, it didn't really register, but as an adult... yeah they could have had the same great movie and avoided most of that stuff.

 

[Kilau]

I really love this movie because it's the one I have the most nostalgia for. I remember how big a deal this movie was when it came out and I actually saw it before I saw raiders. The palace stuff is such gross out crap though.

 

[geomon]

I'll just save time by quoting myself from the other thread

So much this.

 

[SteveMeister]

Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of the greatest movies ever made. It's flawless. Temple of Doom is the second-best Indiana Jones movie, and I love it, but while it's a great movie it's not in the same lofty league as the first. Last Crusade starts out brilliantly, but it's a bit too cartoony as it goes on. Still a fun movie and a worthy addition to the Jones saga, but inferior to the first two.

There IS no fourth movie.

 

[h1nch]

There IS no fourth movie.

Agreed. I have committed myself to purging that film from my memory entirely.

 

[Chojin]

I don't hate Temple of Doom. Heck my brother and I wuote it more than the others as we were growing up. I never understood its hate, aside from Willie.

Maybe having an asian kid getting to have adventures resonated with me.

 

[Reeks]

Last Crusade sucks. RotLA and ToD are the best. Idky I hate Sean Connery in my older age- I used to think he was hot shit. Anyways it's weird for me.

Spoiler

Indi and his daddy fucking with the same woman? Weird.

 

[Sanjuro]

Temple of Doom is fantastic. Ranks high amongst the weird & decent sequels.

 

[SchrodingerC]

I wished Willie had fallen in the lava or fallen into the river at the end, it would've redeemed a good portion of the movie. Short round was at least useful in a few scenes, but Willie? Accidentally solving problems doesn't count.

And yes OP, that infamous dinner scene was incredibly racist and insulting to Indians and Indian food.

Raiders and Crusade for life brehs.

 

[rec0ded1]

Kaaaliiii maaaaa
My favorite as a kid until I hit 13 and accepted that raiders is far superior.

 

[Arthr2ShdsJcksn]

Temple of Doom is the ONLY Indiana Jones film I enjoyed. I like scenes from Raiders, but it's mostly boring.

 

[Redd]

1=3>2 imo. It was my least favorite Indiana Jones movie (not counting the recent one) but still a fun movie.

Same here. Worst of the 3 but still a very good Indiana Jones besides the dinner scene. Wtf was that.

 

[nitewulf]

I only consider the original trilogy. And its the worst of the three, extremely racist and offensive...just like most of Lucas' simplistic racist characterizations. Going to JHS as a desi kid after these types of portrayals of SE Asians in movies...yeah, not a great time.

This Lucas motherfucker should just stick with Nazis as villains.

Raiders is great fun, and as is Last Crusade, they are both top notch, aside from slight offensive caricatures that didn't age well.

 

[DiipuSurotu]

OP did you know Temple of Doom is a prequel to the first Indy movie?

 

[True Savior]

It's probably peak Spielberg directing-wise. Beautiful movement, great control of the scene tempo, top-notch editing. Sadly it's a very uneven story, but when it's good, it's the best the series has to offer.

 

[Tizoc]

OP did you know Temple of Doom is a prequel to the first Indy movie?

I do now!

 

[Skeletron]

Raiders is the only great Indiana Jones movie. Last Crusade is good. Temple is downright awful.

 

[Thornton Reed]

It may be my least favourite indie film but I still enjoy it to this day and I think it's better than any of the Star Wars films, and what come at me

 

[DMczaf]

My personal favorite Indy film. Love every ounce of it knowing I'll never get a film like it again.




I also love Hook. Fight me!

 

[Thornton Reed]

Lots of aggression I this thread. We've all been drinking blood

 

[RBH]

My personal favorite Indy film. Love every ounce of it knowing I'll never get a film like it again.




I also love Hook. Fight me!

Temple over Raiders?

*body slams DM and climbs up to the top rope*

 

[DMczaf]

Temple over Raiders?

*body slams DM and climbs up to the top rope*

get out of my ring.

 

[Kain]

I love how this movie is just a tiny little adventure inside the Indy mythos, I really dig this concept and maybe that's why I love Dredd (the movie) and the first Arkham game, for example. It's not about saving the world, it's just another day in the office. That said, Temple is dark and campy as fuck, Spielberg goes HAM with, well, everything, and Indy is at his most badass here. I just love this movie.

And all the kids hugging Indy at the end? You thought that was cute? Nope, that was Spielberg making fun of himself for all the sugar he puts in his movies. Or Lucas fucking with him, both work.

Raiders is the only great Indiana Jones movie. Last Crusade is good. Temple is downright awful.

This is the wrongest thing I've read ever

 

[riskybusinesstomcruise]

Harrison Ford is the most jacked in Temple, so it's the best one.

But for real, Raiders is a near perfect movie and obviously the best of the Indiana Jones movies but I enjoy Temple of Doom just as much. It has such a different atmosphere than Raiders and Crusade. Crusade is a solid movie for sure but there is a little bit of "oh we're going back to the sand level again? At least Doom changed it up and went to the evil fire level" or whatever.

For real for real its crazy how much older Ford looks in Crusade. It plays kind of weird. Jones looks 15 years older, but acts exactly the same...it's kind of jarring.

 

[Zvonimir Boban]

smh at people acting like Crusade some classic, I even saw some proper mental cases putting it above Raiders in another thread.

Crusade is the safest, weakest shit you could ever get from an Indy movie, if it was released today everyone would rightfully shit all over it for being so bland.

What can anybody remember from that movie? The "You have chosen poorly" gif, "no ticket" and...actually that's about it.

FOH putting it over Temple.

3>1>2

And to think I felt sorry for you after the Owl.