Movielogr

Rating: 6.5 stars

Tags

elk grove theatre sequel quest nazi venice castle catacombs holy grail diary horses 1930s

All movies seen on 05/08/2019

View on: IMDb | TMDb

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Adventure | Action

Most recently watched by CaptainBigTime, sensoria, schofizzy, Angjonesy, jakeneff, jenerator

Overview

In 1938, an art collector appeals to eminent archaeologist Dr. Indiana Jones to embark on a search for the Holy Grail. Indy learns that a medieval historian has vanished while searching for it, and the missing man is his own father, Dr. Henry Jones Sr.. He sets out to rescue his father by following clues in the old man’s notebook, which his father had mailed to him before he went missing. Indy arrives in Venice, where he enlists the help of a beautiful academic, Dr. Elsa Schneider, along with Marcus Brody and Sallah. Together they must stop the Nazis from recovering the power of eternal life and taking over the world!

Rated PG-13 | Length 127 minutes

Actors

Harrison Ford | Sean Connery | Denholm Elliott | Alison Doody | John Rhys-Davies | Julian Glover | River Phoenix | Michael Byrne | Kevork Malikyan | Robert Eddison | Richard Young | Alexei Sayle | Alex Hyde-White | Paul Maxwell | Isla Blair | Vernon Dobtcheff | J. J. Hardy | Bradley Gregg | Jeff O'Haco | Vince Deadrick Sr. | Marc Miles | Ted Grossman | Tim Hiser | Larry Sanders | Will Miles | David Murray | Frederick Jaeger | Jerry Harte | Billy J. Mitchell | Martin Gordon | Paul Humpoletz | Tom Branch | Graeme Crowther | Luke Hanson | Chris Jenkinson | Nicola Scott | Louis Sheldon | Stefan Kalipha | Peter Pacey | Pat Roach | Suzanne Roquette | Eugene Lipinski | George Malpas | Julie Eccles | Nina Armstrong | Albert Evansky | Ronald Lacey | Michael Sheard | Roy Beck | Paul Markham | Hugh Elton | Lee Richards | Nick Gillard | Tip Tipping | Chris Webb | Paul Heasman | Derek Lyons | Vic Armstrong | Peter Diamond | Martin Grace | Dickey Beer | Wayne Michaels | Graham Cole

Viewing History (seen 1 time)

Viewing Notes

I suppose bc it’s the 30th anniversary that they decided to program this movie in their classic film series for the month (earlier this year they did the 40th for ALIEN and 20th for THE MATRIX). Having never seen this on the big screen I was eager to check it out (and maybe only viewing this one time years ago - so long ago it’s not logged here).

This is a weird film for me bc I’m not sure how I reacted when I first saw this film before but I’m guessing it was similar to my reaction now. But since that time my mind had me thinking it was a better movie than its reputation and I likely charge that to all the hours I spent playing the LEGO Indiana Jones game in which this story is one of the missions. I know all the story beats primarily from the game and having to replay the levels over and over to get all the items (also I think I played this on both PS2 and X360).

So in my mind I had a favorable opinion of the movie and have always wanted to revisit (it’s just never top of mind). I was happy when it was announced for the classic film this month and put it on my calendar. Five bucks and 1pm screening? How could I not (there’s also a 7pm screening but those tend to get packed). So I went to Elk Grove Theatre in eager anticipation.

Then the movie starts and I’m like “WTF”. I forgot that it started with Young Indiana (River Phoenix) that essentially plays like a origin story… how did Indy get all those things (his whip, his chin scar, his hat, etc.) and Ugh! Not good.

Then it advances to present day Indiana Jones and the story gets rolling. Yet despite knowing these sequences they just seem corny watching them play out. Like the library in Venice where the clues are in the stained glass with the obvious pillars and Roman numerals around with a big X on the floor. Henry Jones, Sr. (Indy’s dad) is supposed to be the Holy Grail expert and couldn’t figure this out? smh

Then they go to the nazi castle and it’s a silly escape. Then the desert and an okay action sequence w/the tank. Finally to the Holy Grail and three challenges which are all pretty basic. None of the action scenes are as good as Raiders or Temple, IMO. They just sorta play out as expected. The stunt casting of Connery as Indy’s dad is also a bit goofy.

Overall this movie is just fine. Weird feeling to have after thinking it was better than it really is. Glad to have seen it on the big screen but not one I’d revisit any time in the near future. I’d really like to see Temple on the big screen again. Not sure I have since it was released.

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