Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

It's been a good year for Retro Reviews so far. I've made a good dent in some films I'd previously seen (all these Indiana Jones films) and was able to catch up on some others I'd only ever caught bits of (e.g. Unbreakable, Kill Bills). 

Closing out the Indiana Jones trilogy, we're left with the Last Crusade. An epic adventure with a bit more lore for our hero as we get to see his inspiration as a child and how he interacts with his father. 

I'll come flat out and say it: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is the high point of the trilogy for me. I really enjoy all three and I still gave Raiders a perfect score, but there's just something so fun, intriguing, and epic about The Last Crusade's quest for the Holy Grail that it's hard to resist. Out of all the Indiana Jones films I've probably seen this one the most and even on my what-must-have-been 6th or 7th viewing the other night, I was having a blast. 

Thinking back on that original trilogy, you have to take a step back in wonderment: it's one of the most well orchestrated trilogies ever. Granted, each film is able to stand alone and there's not much (if any) intertwining story lines, but the 1, 2, 3, combo of Raiders, Temple and Crusade is some of the best adventuring we're likely to ever do at the movies. And having confirmed recently that Temple is truly only the "bad" one by the slightest of margins - I still gave it an 8.5 - it's a testament to how strong this character is/was and how easily Steven Spielberg could/can create excitement. 

And, to a certain degree, probably why people were so disappointed with Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. 

Gee golly! It's like father, like son!

Anyway, The Last Crusade doesn't have much that I can levy against it as a complaint. I think some of the dialogue, once potentially hilarious back in the day, is a bit more cringy now but hell, I still laughed at some of the puns. Otherwise, I'm racking my brain of bits I don't like about this film and I can't find any. From a plot perspective I find it to be the most immersive and exciting (supporting my theory that Indiana Jones is far better when going after Biblical artifacts) and it's truly a non-stop ride, especially once Sean Connery comes on board. Perhaps in retrospect there are some scenes/action beats that are only designed in order to get us to the next action beat, but it keeps the pace up until a harrowing final set of trials. Those trials didn't age as threatening as I remember them as a kid and Indiana gets through them far more swiftly (so perhaps that bit is rushed), but they still culminate in an appropriate climax of the film. I also particularly enjoy the "young Indy" intro even if it's a bit on the nose with "Here's where he got his hat!" or "Here's why he's afraid of snakes!". Despite that it's still a fun, low-stakes intro that creates a fun mythology to the character. 

Harrison Ford is as effortlessly charismatic as ever in the role that defined his career and continues to be a delight here while he runs from Nazi's, figures out clues, and banters with his father. Speaking of which, Sean Connery as Henry Jones is some additional perfect casting and his role is so well written and established in a short time that you would have thought he's been present in each of the previous films. Connery, who has turned into a bit of a grump in recent years it would seem, appears to be having a blast during this film and goes nearly toe-to-toe with Ford in terms of screen presence. 

^^ The face you make when...you see your son
swinging from monkey vines in the 4th film

(Probably drinking Four Loko)

Our action set pieces also remain fantastic and we're given some further iconic Indy moments throughout. Whether he be hiding in rat-infested graves, driving boats through Venice, accidentally having a book signed by Hitler, or taking down a Nazi tank, it's all done with that typical Indiana charm and massive luck that makes the series so fun. And where Temple was contained to a single location, Crusade gets to globe-hop a bit, adding to the appeal. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the skill with which Spielberg manages all of these activities and the excellent, perhaps series-best, original score from John Williams. 

One would wonder what the modern day equivalent of Indiana Jones is or if there even is one. In terms of well crafted adventures with an "every man" who's got a ton of luck and some skill, I'm not sure there is an equivalent, despite the best attempts to make it happen in other series. The closest thing would obviously be the Uncharted videogames, which are nearly perfect in their own right, but regardless of that, it's obvious to see just how influential this trilogy was on Hollywood and the action-adventure genre. There are very few films/trilogies that drip with this much movie "magic". 

CONS

• Pacing feels a bit off in certain areas
• Some scenes feel designed to just get us from one action scene to the next

PROS

• Tons of fun and never lets up on the gas
• Builds a solid mystery and provides additional lore to the character we've loved for 2 previous films now
• Harrison Ford remains the only person that can play this role
• Sean Connery nearly matches him as his father and their banter is tons of fun
• Iconic action pieces that keep you on the edge of your seat
• Steven Spielberg at some of his best
• John Williams at some of his best
• My personal vote for best in the trilogy, it's got humor, adventure, action, mystery, and is a delight to watch from start to finish

Retro Rath's Review Score | 

10/10 - Instant Classic