Raiders Of The Lost Ark Review

MPAA Rating: PG
Released: 1981

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of those rare films that needs no introduction, for it's as beloved a cinematic classic today as it was upon its release in 1981. Put together by the inspired duo of George Lucas (before his productions became flashy, yet pedestrian) and Steven Spielberg, this film plays out like a big screen comic book where an adventurous archeologist races against time to discover the most holy of relics before the Nazis do: the Lost Ark of the Covenant.

The introduction to Raiders of the Lost Ark may very well be the best opening scene of any movie in cinematic history. A band of men led by a rugged and mysterious fedora-clad adventurer are crawling through the gorgeous yet deadly rainforests of South America. They approach a concealed cave that has remained untouched for countless years, and within this cave is a golden treasure that the leader seeks. But before he can lay claim to the prize, the adventurer must face hazards such as tarantulas and poison darts, plus a variety of traps and puzzles activated by weighted floor tiles, streams of daylight, and more.

This all eventually culminates in a frantic chase as the adventurer races for his life to get back out of the cave before a gigantic rolling boulder behind him crushes him to death. He barely makes it to the exit in time; only to lose the treasure he risked his life for to Dr. Rene Belloq (Paul Freeman), a fellow treasure hunter and long time rival.

And with that exhilarating scene we are introduced to Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), a college professor that also happens to be one of the foremost archaeologists and treasure hunters in the United States.

Despite his failure to obtain the golden statue in the opening scene, Jones is later approached by some Army intelligence agents who have an important task to request of him: discover the famed Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis. Unfortunately the Nazis have a head start – a dig site in Cairo, Egypt – as well as the talent of Jones' competitive nemesis, Belloq, behind them.

Before Jones can pursue the lost Ark he must first obtain a relic necessary for its ultimate discovery from Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), an old girlfriend who currently owns a bar in Nepal. Once he arrives he finds that the feisty gal isn't so pleased to meet him, but before they can have a suitable reintroduction the sadistic and creepy Major Toht (Ronald Lacey), a Nazi officer, arrives to demand the relic be given to him.

The game is set and the competition is on. From this point forward Raiders of the Lost Ark offers a nonstop deluge of thrilling action scenes as Indiana Jones partners up with Marion and Sallah (John Rhys-Davies) to race the Nazis around the world to protect the holy Ark. But Major Toht and his Nazi compatriots are not Jones' only threat by a long shot; his old nemesis Rene Belloq has been hired by the Nazis to assist them with their search.

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark is virtually perfect in every single way. The action scenes are fast and furious, with a fun pseudo-realistic feeling to them since they relied on stuntmen rather than wires and green screens that modern movies incorporate. John William's score is instantly identifiable and just as powerful and stirring as his memorable work on Star Wars.

And then, of course, we have the actors. No one could hope to play the role of Indiana Jones as well as Harrison Ford – his performance was absolutely mesmerizing, confident, roguish and gleeful. Karen Allen was perfect as his fiery partner, and it's a shame that she wouldn't return for any of the sequels.

The foes were equally entertaining thanks to the efforts of the suave Paul Freeman and the intriguing Ronald Lacey. Freeman gave Belloq a smooth gentlemanly air that made the rivalry between him and the rambunctious Indiana Jones. Lacey was a chilling villain, lending Toht an almost maniacal nature barely suppressed under his generally calm exterior.

Action films just don't get any better than the breezy and thoroughly entertaining Raiders of the Lost Ark; it's one of those rare films that doesn't lose a bit of its magic even after repeated viewings.

Movie rating: 10 stars

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