A different variation on Raiders.

Rating: Null/10 (28 January 2002)

The Temple of Doom was not received favourably so the Spielberg/Lucas partnership decided, understandably, to return to the formula of Raiders of the Lost Ark. As a result, we see the return of two of Jones' friends from the first film, another race against the Nazis for a religious treasure and more action in the desert. For some reason, an English actor was cast to play American villain Walter Donovan. We also find that Indiana's father was a Scotsman. Both father and son are deceived by the allure of an attractive woman, which is a great power women can have over men (so Indiana Jones is only human after all). I though Michael Byrne was rather good as an ageing Nazi henchman and Marcus Brody becomes the butt of most of the humour (expertly played by Denholm Elliott). Probably the most powerful scene in any of the Indiana Jones movies comes towards the end, when the callous Donovan shoots Indiana's father (when you watch it you'll see what I mean). For me, the inclusion of the big star (i.e. Connery) does not lift the film above Raiders (as some people seem to think) because it would take more than a gimmick to achieve that. This film is too much of a rehash and many of the effects are actually poorer.