Indianna Jones Legacy

“I hate snakes!” is a famous line from our intrepid hero… Indiana Jones.  Indy to his friends was introduced to the film going public in 1981. Harrison Ford, late of the Star Wars franchise arrived on the scene sporting a traditional archaeological hero’s outfit, a slouch hat and a whip for a weapon and from that day on, never looked back.

ORIGINS and TIMELINE: Going back to the adventures in King Solomon’s mines, Professor Challenger, and that ilk, people have always longed for adventure, and the archaeological genius/adventurer appeals to everyone, young and old.  So, with the introduction to our hero, the saga of Indiana Jones began. To me, this series is really about movie magic.  It draws so much from the old films of the 30s and 40s but is still a “modern” series.  There have been 4 movies produced – an original trilogy which was then followed by a sequel which introduced “Indie’s” father – Sean Connery, late of James Bond fame.  Following the movie trilogy, there were 28 TV episodes of a series called Young Indiana Jones Chronicles and another 4 TV movies Young Indiana Jones. More recently the franchise was revived with another blockbuster movie which may, or may not close the series.  Actor Shia LeBoeuf (Indiana’s fictional son) is on record saying that after Star Wars, there will be more Indiana Jones.  

DIRECTOR:  It takes movie magic to produce a series like Indiana Jones.  The director of this series is Steven Spielberg.  Spielberg has created many different movies from Jaws to ET, Close Encounters to Jurassic Park – and of course Indiana Jones.  Spielberg can weave a story from the most basic plot to the more complex – and he has never let the film going public down.  His take on the Indiana Jones adventure series has been so successful that others have copied his model – and done very well from their takes on the show. If it were not for the success of Indiana Jones there would hardly have been a point to bringing out the Lara Croft and Jack Hunter series of movies – but that’s for another time.

PLOT: The Indiana Jones follow the adventures of our intrepid hero (as if you didn’t know), who is a professor of archaeology in pre-war USA.  Professor Jones travels around the world, thwarting villainous enemies in search of lost treasures.  The unconventional professor gets himself into many different “situations” but the films always have a satisfying end – like a children’s book.

MUSIC: The Williams factor!  As with many other movies that this man has had a hand in, the music is exemplary.   Spielberg and Williams have an understanding – and together they can’t be beaten.  Williams’s music is magical – and very descriptive.  Give a Spielberg spell and embroider it will Williams music and you have a definite winner.  It doesn’t matter whether or not they bring back the franchise, Indiana Jones music is instantly recognizable – as is the music of Harry Potter and Jurassic Park – you can’t miss it.

FAVOURITE MOVIE: Like usual, I think this is a tough decision.  Personally I grew up watching the films.  Even as a child, I can recall the action sequences of the Indiana Jones movies.  Each one was good – but I have to say that Temple of Doom was not really my most favourite (I at least can say what I don’t like!) Although there was a lot of work in the last film – and the television stuff is good too, even though the first film introduced me to Indiana – I’d say that the Last Crusade was a lot of fun.  It was interesting to see Sean Connery as Harrison Ford’s father (I don’t believe there’s that much of an age gap between the men).  And the story line was entertaining – but then so was the first movie.  I think it may have been more of a send up – but I can’t say, however this movie gets my vote.

ACCESSORIES: This series of films has spawned many toys, games and other things.  There are books, and comics – and other valuable goods.  Furthermore, Jack Hunter, Lara Croft, The Librarian and even Ben Stiller’s Night in the Museum all can trace their roots to Indiana Jones.  (Especially Jack Hunter and Lara Croft).

CONCLUSION: This franchise was part of my “growing up”.  I always admired the intrepid hero, I’d liked the actor in Star Wars and so it was not hard to like his professor character.  Everyone enjoys a good romp, and adventure and spy films are very popular. Therefore I would say that there is a market for Indiana Jones even yet.  And if the rumours are correct, as long as I’m patient, I will be rewarded again.