Getting dated with time

Rating: 6/10 (2 July 2008)

The euphoria that Raiders of the Lost Ark created at the time it was released is well known. A lot of people claim that it has influenced many film-makers over the years who made action-adventure films. But I think that Raiders of the Lost Ark is not placed in context most of the times. The truth is, this film did not invent the action-adventure genre. Now, with special effects tools becoming more advanced by the day, the action-adventure films are more spectacular than ever before. So where does all this leave Raiders? The answer to this question may differ with people.
To the many who saw Raiders when they were young, I guess it is to them what Jurassic Park (I saw it when I was 14) is to me. It is probably the most fun they ever had watching a film. But that's it. Raiders of the Lost Ark is nothing more than that - a fun film, which now looks dated. It is one of those 'American Classics' that I fail to understand the hype about.
Spielberg can mold a film like clay. He can and has created edge-of-the-seat films. But sometimes I wonder that when all those people, who saw his films when they first came out, go away and are not there to talk about it, will the next generations still find his films so thrilling? The action-adventure genre is like alcohol, you want it more potent with time. There lies the biggest threat for all action-adventure films; even if it is from Spielberg.
I liked Kingdom of the Crystal Skull more than Raiders of the Lost Ark.