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Most of the comments I see regarding Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom are negative.
Why?
I think the answer is obvious: most people couldn't care less because it's the middle child; that is, it doesn't have the force of the first, or the luster of the last. I can't see how anyone could dismiss Temple of Doom as the worst of the series (point of fact, I think Raiders takes this honor, but that's for another Comment).
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom raises more social questions, challenges viewers to experience raw emotions, and casts Dr. Jones in a herioc and human light. Most people, I think, put down Temple because Indiana isn't fighting Nazis - the quintessential cinema badguy - instead he is up against enemies more personally sinister to Indy; sinister in that Mola Ram, the leader, doesn't threaten the Free World but the lives of a small Indian town as well as Indy himself. Indeed, the only misgivings Dr. Jones reveals about the Third Reich is "Nazis; I hate these guys."
Everyone complains, "This isn't Indiana Jones!" or "He isn't like that!" Well, with all due respect, how do you know his true character? And more so, who are you to claim knowledge of Indy's moral struggles? Spielberg and Lucas have the only claim to this right. And it was up to them to explore Indiana Jones' motivations, past, and tell a rousing adventure at the same time. They succeeded, naturally, yet many refuse to accept this chapter in Indy's life as legitimate. Temple was supposed to be a *true* adventure; that is, the hero is tested physically, mentally, and spirtually in an environment that is alien and challenging. In Temple we see Indy overcome his most awesome obstacles, not the least of which is the famous "Bridge Standoff."
The production quality is higher, the story goes for the jugular, the effects are more polished, Harrison Ford is at his best, we see Dr. Jones in a fight for surival (as well as an *unselfish* quest, read: not for a museum), Indy's weaknessess are revealed, his darkside exposed, and his uncompromising heroism shines in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
As one Indy's last quotes in the movie, he says "Yes, I see [the stone's] power now." Now ask yourself, why do you *really* disapprove of this movie, for it's very few shortcomings or because it's simply not Raiders or Crusade. That's all I ask; you'll Temple so much more if you take it as a rousing adventure with a moral.
Why?
I think the answer is obvious: most people couldn't care less because it's the middle child; that is, it doesn't have the force of the first, or the luster of the last. I can't see how anyone could dismiss Temple of Doom as the worst of the series (point of fact, I think Raiders takes this honor, but that's for another Comment).
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom raises more social questions, challenges viewers to experience raw emotions, and casts Dr. Jones in a herioc and human light. Most people, I think, put down Temple because Indiana isn't fighting Nazis - the quintessential cinema badguy - instead he is up against enemies more personally sinister to Indy; sinister in that Mola Ram, the leader, doesn't threaten the Free World but the lives of a small Indian town as well as Indy himself. Indeed, the only misgivings Dr. Jones reveals about the Third Reich is "Nazis; I hate these guys."
Everyone complains, "This isn't Indiana Jones!" or "He isn't like that!" Well, with all due respect, how do you know his true character? And more so, who are you to claim knowledge of Indy's moral struggles? Spielberg and Lucas have the only claim to this right. And it was up to them to explore Indiana Jones' motivations, past, and tell a rousing adventure at the same time. They succeeded, naturally, yet many refuse to accept this chapter in Indy's life as legitimate. Temple was supposed to be a *true* adventure; that is, the hero is tested physically, mentally, and spirtually in an environment that is alien and challenging. In Temple we see Indy overcome his most awesome obstacles, not the least of which is the famous "Bridge Standoff."
The production quality is higher, the story goes for the jugular, the effects are more polished, Harrison Ford is at his best, we see Dr. Jones in a fight for surival (as well as an *unselfish* quest, read: not for a museum), Indy's weaknessess are revealed, his darkside exposed, and his uncompromising heroism shines in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
As one Indy's last quotes in the movie, he says "Yes, I see [the stone's] power now." Now ask yourself, why do you *really* disapprove of this movie, for it's very few shortcomings or because it's simply not Raiders or Crusade. That's all I ask; you'll Temple so much more if you take it as a rousing adventure with a moral.
"Pitch Black" is one of those movies that comes along once in a Triple-sun: it's action-packed, thoughtful, and gripping.
Riddick, are favorite maniac with a Shine Job, leads a pack of crash-landed survivors through the Valley of the Shadow of Death on a planet populated by nocturnal carnivores. Along the way we find out that Riddick is a tortured soul; on the brink of genius, but riding a fine line between good and evil. Is he helping out of kindness, or is it a means to an end?
"Pitch Black" should be considered a Movie-With-Action; that is, it's action scenes and special effects are used to support the theme of Riddick's inner turmoil. The aliens that the beleagured crew encounter are eeriely menacing, much in the same way that the aliens in Alien were. Riddick seems to be working with and against the alien antagonists; using them to deal with the enemies amongst the group up until he discovers that life has meaning if someone believes it does.
Vin Diesel is awesome as Riddick; as many have said before, he's the best reason to root for the bad guy in a long time. The cinematic style is impressive, and the plot is intriging. Check it out; it's no Fast and the Furious.... and that's a good thing.
Riddick, are favorite maniac with a Shine Job, leads a pack of crash-landed survivors through the Valley of the Shadow of Death on a planet populated by nocturnal carnivores. Along the way we find out that Riddick is a tortured soul; on the brink of genius, but riding a fine line between good and evil. Is he helping out of kindness, or is it a means to an end?
"Pitch Black" should be considered a Movie-With-Action; that is, it's action scenes and special effects are used to support the theme of Riddick's inner turmoil. The aliens that the beleagured crew encounter are eeriely menacing, much in the same way that the aliens in Alien were. Riddick seems to be working with and against the alien antagonists; using them to deal with the enemies amongst the group up until he discovers that life has meaning if someone believes it does.
Vin Diesel is awesome as Riddick; as many have said before, he's the best reason to root for the bad guy in a long time. The cinematic style is impressive, and the plot is intriging. Check it out; it's no Fast and the Furious.... and that's a good thing.
I say that "Die Another Day" is the "Live and Let Die" of this 007 Genertation for several reasons. When "Live and Let Die" was released in 1973 (if memory serves me) it had many elements never before seen in a Bond film: a Rock n' Roll Title Song and an african-american Bond Girl, to name a few. The overall tone of LALD was serious and humorous at the same time, and took advantage of Bond's built-in fan base to produce a movie that was entertaining. LALD also ushered in the James Bond of the 70s and the 80s, in which the majority of the 007s were released.
At this time, Roger Moore's style and stories very much reflected the times, not to mention made an impact of its own. LALD proved to be a James Bond "Benchmark"; that is, marks a significant entry in the 007 film series. The first "Benchmark" being Goldfinger, followed by Live and Let Die, and Licence to Kill, I think the next entry should be Die Another Day.
I know it had its faults; so did On Her Majesty's Secret Service (which I consider the finest Bond filmed). The reason I think this will be a Bond to be remebered is the fact that it isn't so much a movie in itself but the celebration of Bond as generational icon, representing forty years of change in hollywood and society. As many may have noticed there is a visible or audible reference to every Bond made previously. Also, most of the dialogue is chock full of witticisms and grit. Everyone knows that Bond isn't Shakespeare; why hold him to such high standards. He's a spy, not an actor; he's about action! This is the culmination of Bond's forty years as a secret agent and they filmed Die Another Day as if there *wouldn't* be another day, filling it with the best stuff Bond had to offer and giving it that taste of technology that everyone nowadays requires.
Oh yeah, "Die Another Day" by Madonna is the *first* true "techno" Bond-song, Bond is betrayed by a supposed Agent (like in LALD) and Halle Berry is the first starring black Bond Girl since Gloria Hendry in LALD (you can't count Grace Jones, she was a villianesse). The similarities are quite interesting, and proves that Die Another Day will be the flagship Bond of another generation of thrill-seekers.
At this time, Roger Moore's style and stories very much reflected the times, not to mention made an impact of its own. LALD proved to be a James Bond "Benchmark"; that is, marks a significant entry in the 007 film series. The first "Benchmark" being Goldfinger, followed by Live and Let Die, and Licence to Kill, I think the next entry should be Die Another Day.
I know it had its faults; so did On Her Majesty's Secret Service (which I consider the finest Bond filmed). The reason I think this will be a Bond to be remebered is the fact that it isn't so much a movie in itself but the celebration of Bond as generational icon, representing forty years of change in hollywood and society. As many may have noticed there is a visible or audible reference to every Bond made previously. Also, most of the dialogue is chock full of witticisms and grit. Everyone knows that Bond isn't Shakespeare; why hold him to such high standards. He's a spy, not an actor; he's about action! This is the culmination of Bond's forty years as a secret agent and they filmed Die Another Day as if there *wouldn't* be another day, filling it with the best stuff Bond had to offer and giving it that taste of technology that everyone nowadays requires.
Oh yeah, "Die Another Day" by Madonna is the *first* true "techno" Bond-song, Bond is betrayed by a supposed Agent (like in LALD) and Halle Berry is the first starring black Bond Girl since Gloria Hendry in LALD (you can't count Grace Jones, she was a villianesse). The similarities are quite interesting, and proves that Die Another Day will be the flagship Bond of another generation of thrill-seekers.