Better than Temple of Doom - Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) Discussion

[–] charzhino 7 years ago

No chance. ToD is the pinnacle of the Indiana Jones character. Hes got the most energy, passion and drive in any of the films. His fights are convincing and he oozes confidence and charisma. He single handedly defeats a sadistic cult and saves hundres of children; which no other film touched.

KoTC is not as bad as people make out, but I just wasn't convinced enough by Harrison Fords performance.

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[–] Olivergbyrne (685) 7 years ago

100% agree with charzhino !

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[–] Karl Aksel (1451) 6 years ago

Temple's got a lot of energy and drive, yes. But I can't say he oozes more confidence or charisma than the other Indy films, at least among the first three - Kingdom is perhaps a low-point for these qualities.

Of course, he didn't single-handedly defeat the Thuggee cult. He had the help of Willie and Short Round, as well as Cpt. Bloomburtt's rifle company. But even if Indy did single handedly defeat the cult, so what? Saving hundreds of children which no other film touched? That's not even an argument. Raiders had the Ark of the Covenant, which no other film touched. Crusade had the Holy Grail, which no other film touched. And Kingdom had aliens, which no other film touched.

Personally, I feel Temple is a better Indy movie than Kingdom, but not by much. There are days - not many - when I think Kingdom is better. But before Kingdom came along, Temple was by far the worst of the bunch.

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[–] Strazdas (2328) 5 years ago

No, Last Crusade is the pinacle of Indys character, Temple of Doom is the worst indie film.

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[–] Threadkiller (2947) 5 years ago

Nah. Doom was great. While I still mostly enjoyed Crusade it loses a lot of points for how similar it is to Raiders. Similar settings & returning supporting characters, a race against the Nazis (yet again) to obtain a Judeo Christian relic( yet again)

I got the two films utterly confused when I was a kid. The inclusion of Sean Connery was the only thing keeping it from being almost a complete carbon copy of Raiders

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[–] picturetaker 7 years ago

Blasphemy!!!!

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[–] joejohn-821-884251 7 years ago

OP, I'm gonna agree with you. I saw this film opening night way back when and came out of the theater pretty disappointed.

However, I just watched it again for the first time yesterday and thought it was MUCH better than I had remembered.

For me, all things considered, this movie is about on par with the first two films, with of course 'the Last Crusade' being the big standout film in this franchise.

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[–] trayNTP 7 years ago

I agree. I rewatched all four Indiana Jones movies, and this movie was no better or worse than the Temple of Doom and Last Crusade. When I first saw this in 2008, I hated it, but after seeing all four of them, they all have OVER THE TOP MOMENTS and stretch the laws of physics. How is a spaceship and aliens any less realistic than people dying and having their skin melt off of them because they looked upon a spirit?

This movie was EVEN MORE "FUN" than #2 & 3, but 2 was still better overall.

1. Raiders
2. Last Crusade
3. Crystal Skull
4. Temple of Doom

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[–] Xenopharb (617) 6 years ago

That is the order I would put them in as well.

I enjoyed Raiders and The Last Crusade the best in the theater.

The Crystal Skull was fine until the ending. I couldn't get into The Temple of Doom as much.

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[–] Otter (24464) 6 years ago

I agree with your order.

"Crystal Skull" isn't terribly good but it's kind of amusing, I flat-out loathe "Temple of Doom".

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[–] CroseusProject 7 years ago

Not on your life. It's not better than any of the original three. Spielberg should never have made this.

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[–] milesahead1 7 years ago

Completely agree - it's fashionable to dislike KOTCS, but it's terrifically entertaining.

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[–] BillySlater (4093) 6 years ago

Id say its more fashionable to dislike TOD, its been getting criticized for 30 plus years. KOTCS wins the award for most stupid moments.

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[–] Otter (24464) 6 years ago

I agree. ToD is a terrible movie, while this is a middling movie!

It was fashionable to hate on KotCS for a while, but it's a disappointing movie rather than a terrible one.

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[–] kenburke (2279) 6 years ago

ANYTHING is better than Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

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[–] SpaceAce2001 (387) 6 years ago

ANYTHING is better than Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

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