A very good Adventure Film

Rating: 8/10 (20 December 2012)

I would consider myself a casual fan of the Indiana Jones movies. I enjoy them and watch them on occasion but don't go around quoting them or thinking about them all the time. That being said I do have to agree with the majority of people that the odd numbered Indiana Jones movies are definitely better than the even numbers. And while Last Crusade is my favorite, I will say that Raiders of the Lost Ark is a pretty damn good movie.
My biggest issue is that the film has a bit of a pacing problem in the first half. You start out with a very cool and suspenseful action scene, and then we just sort of watch people talking for about twenty minutes, then a small action scene, more talking. And then the second half kicks in and the pacing gets better. I don't mind talking in films, but the stuff Indy talks about here isn't that interesting to me. Also I think that the climax is kind of lackluster after such build up. We get all this build up and then they have a stand off until Indy just sort of gives in. And how did Indy know to close his eyes? Other than that, the movie is pretty much perfect. I can't really find any problems in the writing, no annoying characters, every character is well developed and likable, except of course for the villains who are fantastic, I actually found myself hating them and wanting to reach in and punch them. The action scenes are choreographed perfectly, and there a feeling of suspense. The acting is perfect, I saw this after having Harrison Ford set in my brain as Han Solo, yet when I watch this I don't see Han Solo I see Indiana Jones. Most of the special effects hold up well, and it has a nice sense of humor to itself.
While I may get blasted for not giving this film a perfect score I will say Raiders is a great adventure movie that just falls a little short in the pacing department. And seriously, how did Indy know to close his eyes?