Came upon an article form a fan site and was astounded by the truths that were stated and realized. Indiana Jones is a unique and effervescent symbol of Pop Culture all over the world and many can attest to him bringing out the adventurous versions of ourselves. The nostalgia of going back to the days when we were young and we came to know Indy as the bold-archaeologist who was part all our comic superheroes bundled into one totally human being, who took the blows and ached, jumped and fell, kissed and was slapped. All those came in the man we knew as Indy as he was called and many relish the times (the 80’s) actually when the enemy was over there on the other side of the earth (which is now impossible in this post 9/11 world) and America has its own hero to send to foreign lands where exotic animals and cultures lay. Those were the days when the enemy was them and not among us (except for spies maybe) in the form of terrorists. Those were the days when viruses were in Petri-dishes not in our computers and those were the days when the mail came in the box not in the computer too. The adventure loving, kicking, punching, gun shooting whip lashing, leading lady kissing Indy was there to save the day (along with the relics of the world).
Lucas films is due to release a new installment to the Indiana Jones Movie series with the release of a new film this coming May. The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull promises to be another gut-wrenching adventure that is sure to keep your eyes glued to your seats and you wanting for more. Fans of the original films have kept the magic alive with many books, video games and other merchandise still selling like hotcakes. This new installment would again renew interest in the character and the action packed films who have been getting their fair share of the market in terms of DVD sales and rentals.
The sequel to the first film which sparked a lot of interest was set mainly in India where he discovers a Cult that used children as labor and slaves in their operations. Again, Harrison Ford is thrust deep into an action adventure film that captivated more and more people since the first film’s release. The righteous Indy tries to rescue the said children who uses cult magic and other means who kidnaps children from their hometowns never to be seen again. They were sacrificed, beaten and used to mine some enchanted stones that were to give the cult ultimate powers over mankind.
Harrison Ford may no longer be as dashing nor as young as Narnia’s Prince Caspian, but the iconic actor still proves that he is still in for the ladies when Indiana Jones: The kingdom of the crystal skull earned as much as 152 million dollars on its first week in North America beating its Disney competitor by a speed of light. Released 19 years after the first blockbuster trilogy, Ford proves that he still has what it takes to have a blockbuster come back even at his current age. Despite the movie’s success, Ford makes it clear that there will no longer be a 5th installment to the movie.
Not in the Archaeologist sense that is, for the actor has been in Hollywood for so long that he just had to survive. His first stints with acting ended in flops which led to him getting into another profession – carpentry. He was so good that he was well sought after in Hollywood. When his break finally came, he pissed off his own agent when he turned down role after role as he picked them so carefully. He made his mark with the Star Wars series and again in the Indiana Jones series of films which were all box office hits along with several other roles which showed off his versatility. From action, adventure, comedy, suspense and even taking on the roles of the villain, he’s done it all. The man who represents and plays Indiana Jones has the makings of one indeed. His adventurous nature as to his doing most of his own stunts along with his temper and one liners, he has indeed become the legend who is Indiana Jones.
The writer has said that he is ending the series but many still speculate on the future of Indiana Jones. A combination of Lucas’s writing and Direction by Spielberg has made for one of the most top grossing films of all time reaching more than a billion dollars in the box office and video sales. The film continues to entice moviegoers to watch and the character (Harrison Ford) has become an older man than the last film which makes the film’s appeal all the more powerful. Kids love adventure and will love this installment for Lucas says it’s the best one yet (after writing all the previous ones).
Many are seeing the release of another installment to the already legendary film series as a waste of time but the nostalgia of kids (who now have their own kids) who watched wide-eyed as he did his stunts and seemingly impossible antics fuels the film. His human nature keeps him a figure to watch out for, he takes punches jumps from high places, trips, falls and gets hurt making him all the more appealing to today’s adventure loving generation. Critics say it’s a waste of time, I say I doubt it for I myself am a fan. Who doesn’t love Indy and all his crazy ways that always gets the job done. The new Jones (in the to be released film) will be mellow and more into the dialogues and has been labeled as a “Tamer” and that he’s done with the film for according to him, the character has reached it’s peak and it’s time to throw in the towel to another chap.
The first choice for the main character was a little known actor at the time, Tom Selleck but he was not allowed by CBS to do so for his TV series Magnum P.I. was starting to show improvements in the TV ratings. Lucas had Harrison Ford as his choice but didn’t want to become another Martin Scorsese who regularly cast Robert De Niro. After Selleck turned down the offer, Lucas finally agreed with Spielberg to get Ford, which turned out to be the best decision they had ever made. Well before any film was recorded, the figure of the main character was already set and decided on by Lucas, Spielberg and the costume designers which is to become the distinctive silhouette that is still recognized today.
Another icon of the film and the character was the whip which is considered to be one of the most recognizable/popular movie weapons ever and it is on display at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum due to its great influence on American culture. The film started out as a treasure hunter who was out for glory and money with their loot out to the highest bidder, but ended with Jones reversing that and insisting that these precious relics belong in Museums and not in the private collection of the rich. These are some of the best trivia regarding the movie, character and the legend that has become Indiana Jones. More would be added soon for a much awaited sequel is scheduled for release this summer, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
The fedora hat had become so much a symbol of Indiana Jones that if it ever fell off the head of Ford during a take, all work stopped so it could be returned to his head. The significance of the fedora in Indy’s character was so great that the film crew had to come up with jokes or other mischievous stuff just to get it off. Alas, an urban legend was born, that Indiana Jones had stapled the fedora to his head which is why it was always seen to be there on all the films. Well, all that is just another tall man’s tale for it all began when during an interview, Ford deliberately and of course jokingly held an empty stapler to his head with the fedora to make it look as if it were indeed stapled onto his head which gave birth to the said Urban Myth.