Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade

Set in 1938, The Last Crusade takes place two years after the events in Raiders of The Lost Ark and eight years after Temple of Doom (you read that right, Temple of Doom was a prequel). It tells the tale of archeologist and intrepid adventurer Indiana Jones and his quest to rescue his father from the clutches of Nazis while also searching for The Holy Grail.

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The father and son dynamic brings a new dimension to the story that manages to refresh and invigorate a property that (at the time of its release) was still at its full power, elevating the film out of the fun but two-dimensionality of the first two entries and into an entirely new level in which audiences root harder, cheer louder, and identify more strongly.

The chemistry between Ford and Connery is magical. Even though in real life, the two were only a handful of years apart, Connery’s pitch-perfect stern schoolmaster is the perfect foil to Ford’s archetypal swashbuckler, and the two use every tool in their acting bag to bring the Doctors Jones to life. The two powerhouses took lighting that was already in a bottle and amplified it to Olympian proportions.

The Chrystal Skull notwithstanding, an Indiana Jones film wouldn’t be an Indiana Jones film without world-class action, and The Last Crusade does not disappoint. It’s full of thrilling set pieces on land, sea, and air. There are no shortages of explosions, car and plane chases, fist fights, and gun volleys. All shot with Spielberg’s genius when he was still at the height of his power.

WOKE ELEMENTS

Indy, Please

• Not one.
• This is a movie that displays the best of what a man can be: dangerous and gentle, heroic and selfless, resourceful, intelligent, and sexy. It is completely unapologetic and fabulous.