Thursday, December 18, 2014

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

On to the third film, this is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Plot: The first 15 ish minutes of this film introduces Indiana Jones as a 13 year old by, showing his origins with trying to retrieve an ancient cross that he wants in a museum. Shortly after finally getting the cross 26 years later, Indiana meets Walter Donovan, who informs him that his father, Henry Jones, Sr., has vanished while searching for the Holy Grail. So with his father's journal as his guide, Indiana begins to try to pick up where his father left off while also trying to look for him with the help of Marcus Brody and Elsa Schneider.

This movie may be much lighter and comedic than the other ones, but at the same time, I would make the argument that at the bottom line, it's one of the few good third movies that media has to offer. Not in the sense that it's better than the other films, but it's still a good third movie. Even if it is lighter than the first two films, it still is a fun adventure where we once again have Nazis as the villains and some comedy that in some respects is a little funnier than the comedy in the other films...or at the very least, a little more memorable. The mystery in trying to find the Holy Grail is very enjoyable. But the real heart to this movie is Sean Connery as Indiana (or Junior)'s father and their relationship as father and son. Even if he's not as action packed as Indiana (which is kind of weird in a way since it's the original James Bond), he does have a fun and witty personality while also just as skilled with his knowledge in ancient civilizations and languages, even if his knowledge is more focused on the Grail. Also in a way, I kind of like how the story is a little more structured to The Hero's Journey, particularly with how Indiana is tested during the third act of the film. 

And that's my review for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It may not be better than Raiders of the Lost Ark since it's more light and witty, but it's still an enjoyable, fun film with its fun action and likable charm with Harrison Ford and Sean Connery as Indiana Jones and his father. While it's not spectacular, I still think it should be recognized as one of the few good third movies.

Rating: 85%

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