made adventure what it is today

Rating: Null/10 (17 April 2002)

The adventure genre is born in this unforgettable, over-the-top classic from director Steven Spielberg. Set in 1936 comes this breathlessly action-packed story starring Harrison Ford as a brilliant and brash archaeologist recruited by the U.S. government to retrieve the sacred Ark of the Covenant, a mysterious religious artifact which may or may not be a source of unspeakable power. The result is the adventure of a lifetime as he confronts brutal Nazis, matches wits with an arch rival (Freeman), and tries to make amends with his lost love (Allen), all the while eluding venomous snakes, fierce booby traps, and every other death-defying stunt imaginable! Overflowing with notable fight scenes, memorable characters, spectacular visuals, and one fatal escape after another, this remarkable film single-handedly sets the standard for the adventure genre. Never a dull moment in this rousing extravaganza, a fun, creative film that you can enjoy again and again. ****