The ultimate adventure of all time!

Rating: 10/10 (20 February 1999)

I don't care how illustrious "Chariots of Fire" was back in 1981; "Raiders of the Lost Ark" takes the cake every time! This is undeniably the best action picture that was ever created, with a hero that could take Seagal and Jackie Chan in a heartbeat. Seagal and Jackie may be formidable, but Indiana Jones has style and guts, and tackles Nazis and the supernatural to boot. Karen Allen as Marion is also one of the best heroines of the pack, no nonsense, no wimpy screaming, and not the first to yell for help; she can hold her own.
I just recently saw "Raiders" on the big screen for the first time (I'm only 20 years old) and I was blown over once again, no matter how many times I let it run through my VCR. It has a sense of humour without going slapstick, and has grit without becoming totally serious. The stunts are supreme, and (most importantly) the hero is not ashamed to show us he is exhausted, in pain, or can sweat. We are sweating right along with him. Spielberg and Lucas can not be praised enough for bringing archeology and history to this extreme wonder of entertainment. "Raiders" is easily on my Top Ten list of all time. Rating: Four stars (and a half for good measure)