Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom

Rating: 10/10 (13 May 2005)

Brian M. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is truly a classic film that can provide enjoyment for all ages. I had seen the movie a few times prior but after watching it in an English class under the guidance of a critiquing packet given to us by our teacher I saw it in a new light. The technical aspects of this film are simply genius. With our teacher pointing out things like the rose that was present when the Nazi regime was present or close. It is not usual to notice these types of points when you just watch it with a bucket of popcorn. The music and other audio effects added so much to the tone and mood I was very impressed when I began to listen for it. How it matched the scenes and situations so well.
The theme of the movie was spelled out as Indy continually tried to live up to his father's expectations while he tried not to care. As each struggle throughout the movie came up he proved himself over and over and no matter what he did, did not seem to please his father. It was not until Indy was able to retrieve his father's life long work of finding the grail was, in my opinion, he truly accepted by his father. At one point in the film we were eluded to his father's true feelings as they thought Indy was dead when he went down the tank.
As the movie progresses the story develops introducing Indy as a boy scout when he started he passion for artifact retrieval. The desire for the grail was introduced by a Mr. Donovan. He seems to be a wealthy collector but as our teacher pointed out the rose on his jacket similar to the one the man with the cane had on his jacket when they stole back the cross at the beginning of the movie. Once the journey began he was first confronted by Ms. Schied. (Hey! She had a rose too!) After making progression towards the grail another group that protects the frail attacks them, the same group that ends us up protecting them through the film. As we go through the adventure we constantly notice the tone that Indy and his father have between them isn't exactly warm and fuzzy. Indy through a b plot arises. He is constantly trying to prove himself and "graduate," from his father's new of Indy being "Junia." Once they are captured they begin to talk about what was going on between them. Once the grail was just through just thought the tests of faith the camera uses Juxtaposition. As Indy coaches himself through the tests his father is doing the same. And I refuse to tell you anymore than that, watch the movie to find out what happens.
After watching the whole movie I could only hope that it would never end or there were more to come. I found such a new appreciation for the film's creativeness and uniqueness that I am sad to have missed before. This will always be a timeless classic of comparison and envy to those that cannot capture its greatness.