Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Premise: The original Indiana Jones film. Dr. Jones
races with the Nazis and a rival archeologist (Paul Freeman) to find the Ark of
the Covenant, an ancient Jewish artifact that could be used as the ultimate
weapon.
What Works: Raiders of the Lost Ark is a
classic adventure film and one of the first pictures to consciously engage in
nostalgia for a previous era of cinema, paving the way for filmmakers like
Quentin Tarantino. Like the original Star
Wars, Raiders is based upon the adventure serials of the 1940s
but combines that sense of fun with contemporary filmmaking techniques and
styles. The film strings together action set pieces, some of which have become
iconic moments in cinema, with a plotline that is lean but completely coherent.
Aside from the thrilling action scenes, what keeps Raiders such an
impressive film nearly thirty years after its original release is its
characters. Harrison Ford stars as Indiana Jones and Ford sets the tone for the
entire picture creating a hero that is very human. Indy is brave but also
fallible; he gets injured, makes mistakes, and has some complicated
interpersonal relationships. Like John McClane of Die
Hard, Indiana Jones is an ordinary man doing extraordinary things and
that everyman quality makes him an engaging hero and lifts the tensions in the
action scenes. The supporting cast of Raiders is also very strong. Karen
Allen plays Marion Ravenwood, Indy’s love interest, and the character is a
prime example of the film balancing between allusions to the adventure stories
of a previous era and contemporary sensibilities. Marion fulfills a classic
function as a damsel in distress but she is also a strong, modern female
character. Paul Freeman stars as Belloq, a charming archeologist who is the ying
to Jones’ yang, and he is by far the most compelling villain in the entire
series. Ronald Lacy and John Rhys-Davies round out the cast as an evil Nazi and
Indiana’s Egyptian ally, both contributing humor and color to the film, as
well as some of the most memorable lines.
What Doesn’t: The ending of Raiders is a
supernatural special effects extravaganza, but although it is a satisfying
comeuppance for the villains and a thrilling climax, the conclusion nags as a
deux ex machina ending. Instead of relying of Indiana’s heroism and ingenuity,
the powers of God intervene to save day. It’s a cop out even though, like
Spielberg’s ending to Jaws and Jurassic
Park, the finale successfully trumps showmanship over narrative
principles or logic.
DVD Extras: Photos, featurettes, storyboards.
Bottom Line: Raiders of the Lost Ark is one
of the great pieces of cinematic entertainment. Even if the movie is not very
deep it is a whole lot of fun. Although film technology has advanced to the
point in which flashier films are now possible, Raiders overshadows the
competition with its sense of humor, great characters, and classic set pieces.