Raiders of the Lost Ark – Budget of $18 million – 1 hour and 55 minutes

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Indiana Jones may seem like an attractive, mild-mannered professor to his students, but he is really a daring, fighting, and strong-willed archeologist. He has recently left his latest mission empty handed, but, luckily, with his life, after being outsmarted by Dr. Rene Belloq. So when his friend, Marcus, and 2 Army intelligence officers interview him to find the Ark of the Covenant, Indy (as he is know) starts packing. He doesn’t know where the Ark is, but he does know a key to the puzzle is with his mentor, Abner Ravenwoood. Raven wood has a medallion that with the right sunlight can point the way. So, he goes to Nepal to find Abner, but runs into Abner’s daughter, Marion. After a rough re-introduction, Marion decides that she might help Indy find the medallion. However, Arnold Toht, a Nazi commander looking for the Ark, changes her mind and she rides off with Indy and the medallion. Now with the Nazis and Toht hot on their tail, Indi and Marion must fight to find the Ark and keep it from the Nazis.

This is a pure action flick. Even the romance is surrounded in fire, bullets, and a whip. It’s easy to see how today’s action movies (i.e. Avengers, Fast and the Furious, and the newest Kong: Skull Island) where inspired by this ’round up all your buddies to fight a common enemy’ movie (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). But just when you believe nothing can stop Indy, they add a human quality with his fear of snakes. A common theme through this series. Any watcher would have know a part 2 (whether better or worse) was going to come in the future. While this is a great kickoff to a action-packed franchise, don’t be surprised if you find the special effects laughable. While they don’t quite meet with today’s standards, they were great for their time. So sit back and enjoy this great classic.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

I don’t know. I’m making this up as I go – Indiana Jones

I learned to hate you in the last 10 years – Marion Ravenwood

That time has passed – Major Arnold Toht

I am a shadowy reflection of you – Dr. Rene Belloq

Bad dates – Sallah

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