03/11/2012 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

"Raiders Of The Lost Ark" by Yojimbo

Swashbucklers were deeply unfashionable at the time when Raiders was made and it took the talents of the then new golden boy of Hollywood to breathe new life into the genre. With a bespectacled alter ego who is a million miles away from his action man persona like an archaeological Clark Kent, Indiana Jones became an iconic action figure who was often knocked on his backside, played fair only when it suited him and was far more interested in his treasure than getting the girl. Sound familiar? Yes without Raiders, Captain Jack would probably never have existed. Like POTC, this film takes its cues from the golden age of the Hollywood swashbuckler, to the point where Ronald Lacey's sinister yet effeminate secret policeman and Paul Freeman's amoral gentleman rogue could easily have been mista...

Rating of
4/4 

09/04/2011 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Raiders of the Lost Ark review

An action adventure flick that stars the archaeologist Indiana Jones who is aware of the Nazis are interest in the Ark of the Covenant (a biblical chest built by the Israelites to contain the fragments of the Ten Commandments). The Staff of Ra, is a key to finding the Well of Souls, a secret chamber in which the Ark is buried. A headpiece that helps in solving the mystery of the Ark’s location belonged to his ex-girlfriend Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen). Has one of the most memorable film scores on film. Amazing cinematography, sensational stunts coupled with endearing characters and brilliant screenplay. The film never loses its humor and drama when it was fitting. Harrison Ford became Indiana Jones; he played it really efficiently which displayed various emotions. Special effect...

Rating of
4/4 

08/26/2008 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Grimdiana Bones

Raiders of the Lost Ark is, in my opinion, not only the finest film in the Indiana Jones trilogy but also the greatest pure adventure film ever made. This unadulterated thrill ride first exploded onto the big screen in 1981 and remains unsurpassed, despite many good and not-so-good imitators. Combining the immense talents of George Lucas as writer and producer, and Steven Spielberg as director, this film echoes the great cliffhanger serials of Hollywood yesteryear but also outshines them by a long way. Set in the 1930s, Harrison Ford is perfectly cast as Indiana Jones. Jones is essentially a grave robber, a mercenary archaeologist who has hair-raising adventures uncovering rare artefacts. He gets hired by the US government to uncover the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis, and is propel...

Rating of
3.5/4 

05/26/2008 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

"It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage."

Spielberg's original homage to 1930s/40s-era serials is one of the finest action films ever made. Despite providing the template for so many misbegotten mindless action extravaganzas since its release, none has managed to improve upon Spielberg's remarkable blend of wit, cleverness, and visual ingenuity. The opening sequence is still one of the most thrilling in the history of cinema, no matter how many times it has been mimicked--one look at that huge boulder hurtling toward Indy and the pulse races. Spielberg also wisely uses Harrison Ford to his strengths--never a particularly gifted actor, Ford here is allowed to use his innate charm, rugged good looks, and rough humor to make Indy an endearing hero, simultaneously believable and larger than life. Karen Allen provides the finest h...

Rating of
4/4 

05/25/2008 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Something Truly Special

This film stood the test of time because it is still thrilling on every level. Steven Spielberg crafted the epitome of an action-adventure film because not only does it have a heart and an interesting story, it does not succumb to exploitative violence. Instead of just random explosions and flying bullets, it plays with the audience's sense of fear and wonder, from hundreds of slithering, slimy snakes in one room to the mysticism and the occult. Harrison Ford is perfectly casted as Indiana Jones, both a scholar and an adventurer. Indiana Jones is a beloved film character because he could be a real person: instead of pummelling every person in his path, he is sometimes beaten to a pulp, which incidentally enough, has humor. The main actress of the film is not your typical damsel-in-distres...

Rating of
4/4 

07/30/2007 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

A Classic!

I can remember seeing this movie in 1983. Unfortunately I was too young to see it in the theater when it was released but one day I was brought home from school absolutely sick as a dog. I was supposed to go out and spend time with one of my friends and instead I ended up with a 102 degree temp. that kept me in the house. My father had just gotten our first VCR and he brought in Raiders and let me watch. I have to say that when you are a kid and you are allowed to see this kind of action movie it gets you all kinds of wryled up!
Ever since I hear the Indy theme going through my head whenever something interesting or exciting is happening in my life.
It is a classic movie that draws you in and it doesn't slow down until the end. I loved it from beginning to end and I will always find ti...

Rating of
3/4