One of the greatest films ever

Rating: 9/10 (22 May 2008)

'Raiders of the Lost Ark' kicks off what is a truly special trilogy. Recent trilogies like Spider-Man, Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Star Wars prequel trilogy may come close, but can't quite match Indiana Jones- especially 'Raiders' and 'The Last Crusade.' Truly Harrison Ford brings so much charisma and relatability to the character. Kudos to George Lucas for writing yet another compelling story, and to Steven Spielberg's direction, one of several classics that he has directed.
Bringing in an artifact like the Ark of the Covenant from the Bible surely is a risky move, but with the message that is sent to those who are evil and seek it for power, the storyline is acceptable. Besides, you can't dislike a guy who is completely human, without any added benefits, yet is willing to take on the challenge of keeping such a sacred artifact from the Nazis. Plus, the character of Indiana Jones is relatable because he's not perfect. Yes, he will think "what the heck" and shoot a master sword-wielder. Then, as a human, he does things that are partly beyond conceivable, but still perhaps possible- stunts like single-handedly taking over a Mercedes truck, including the feat of sliding under the truck. Just amazing stuff that can only be executed through proper direction.
Overall, 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' is one of my favorite movies, and for good reason.