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.
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.
The movie, again lives up to it’s name and reputation as one of the best action packed on-the-edge of your seat types of film. The next installment, the upcoming The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is sure to have more mind-boggling action series (which is due to huge advancements in Computer Graphics and other film technologies) which is a sad thing for me personally for I love the stunts and other stuff that was done the old way for it presented a sort of aura or certain magical property to the movie. Whatever your opinion, it is sure to be another chart buster for the last film has grown 18 years and is sure to be thrilled at this the fourth installment in the legend that is Indiana Jones continuing to fuel the adventure seeker in all of us even in the face of certain death.
The life of the explorer/adventurer Indiana Jones takes us away from the reality of life and takes us into an action packed adventure we might never get to experience on our own. Adventure, suspense, action, romance and a little comedy all rolled up into one film is a good way of getting people out of the house and into the movie theaters. What about the future when we don’t have movie theaters anymore? The future is bright for advancements in 3-D and virtual reality that are now currently being used in the amusement park business may hold the key to an immersed movie experience. IMAX which has revolutionized the movie industry has begun to creep slowly into the movie house business with new theaters boasting the new technology opening yearly. Imagine being in the film with Indy’, what an adventure.
There are some real facts behind the movie but since they have been adapted for the big screen, they have overshadowed facts and twisted them as far as the eye can see. The true nature of the main character is loosely based on true archaeologists but on a lower note, for the work of one is often done in the field and laboratory. Real Indiana Jones of today are still out there discovering our past as well as the secrets they hold. Imagine the Egyptians on how they created the pyramids, there have been tons of suggestions but no solid proof of their construction. This is what draws us to them, the mystery and allure of the unknown and the adventure of discovery.
Many of the world’s archaeologists have in fact provided us with the best insights on long lost civilizations that gave way to our modern lives. The adventures of the ever-bearing Indiana Jones has even been attributed to the career choices of people who were so mesmerized by the movies they themselves have turned into their own Indy’s in their own right. The world may never know much of the secrets our ancestors have brought with them to their graves, only these laboring researchers and their innate inquisitiveness get them to light, modern light that is.