Indiana Jones: The Adventure Collection DVD Review

Indiana Jones: the Adventure Collection, a collection of the Indy Trilogy, is being put out in anticipation for the release of fourth installment in the series, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. This collection brings together the legendary action film series, accompanied by a host of new special features. Harrison Ford with his charming wit, shows why Indiana Jones was so successful, and why the fourth installment has been justifiably hyped up as well. Indiana Jones brings together the essence of many powerful Hollywood filmmakers, and is a joy to experience again and again.

The first installment in the series, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, is a genuine classic action movie. It comes complete with a Nazi car chase, an enormous snake pit, and of course, the hero himself, Indiana Jones. This film was made to be a type of sugar rush on adventure, but it contains a well-told story and some witty dialogue as well. Marion, played by Karen Allen, is a brazen heroine who can drink a burly mountain man under the table, but still retain her femininity as she plays opposite Ford. The Nazis are built-in antagonists who provide an adequate counter force to the all-American Jones. The historical element is also an added draw for a movie built mostly around bombings and knife fights. This movie is the most remembered of the trilogy, and for good reason. It has a strong story, strong acting, and some amazing special effects. Its nostalgic qualities will be a big draw for installment number four.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, though packed with some thrilling cart chases and some funny physical comedy, is the least appealing of the three. It does not use the historical element to its advantage. The antagonists, a cult from East India, are not as established or explained as the Nazis. The sets are distracting, as they look too futuristic for the early 1930s. Unlike the first film, Temple of Doom does not contain a very likeable female lead. Though Kate Capshaw and the writers created Willie to be an annoying stereotype, her character is a constant detractor from the burly and heroic Jones. Again, the action sequences are exciting. The mine cart chase is one of the definite high points of the film. But overall, this film signifies as lull in the series.

Lucas and Spielberg introduce significant back-story in the third film of the trilogy, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Sean Connery comes in as Indiana Jones’s father and plays the part so well. Not only is his performance comedic, but the fact that it is the suave former James Bond makes the performance even funnier. This film also goes back to familiarity and makes the enemies Nazis. Going back elements of the first film ultimately make this a complete trilogy. The Last Crusade and Raiders of the Lost Ark both spent more time developing the story of hunting for the artifact, while Temple of Doom explained very little about the treasure being pursued or why it was important. The second film is the only one not to show Jones as the true professor that he is, thus distancing the audience from Jones’s motive. The Last Crusade is a strong film by itself, but is even stronger as part of this trilogy. However, Raiders of the Lost Ark will always be remembered the fondest because it was the first of a very entertaining and lucrative Indy series.

This set includes a host of new and interesting extras that are fun even for non-Indy fans. All three films include an introduction by Spielberg, Lucas, and others. These introductions provide a lot of insight into the making of the Indy series and how it progressed the way it did. For example, Lucas reveals how his experience with Star Wars influenced making Temple of Doom a darker story. Each disc contains two unique featurettes about the making of the Indy series. One of the highlights is a featurette on how the special effects and make-up teams were able to create the melting face used in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Other featurettes, like the one on the creepy creatures used in the various films, hint at elements in the fourth film, but never reveal any secrets about the well-kept secret. The storyboards and photo galleries are semi-interesting, but the featurettes really make the collection worth getting.