The Best and Worst of All 5 Indiana Jones Movies

Indiana Jones, the fictional archaeologist and adventurer created by George Lucas, has captivated audiences for decades with his thrilling exploits. From The Last Crusade to Dial of Destiny, there are undoubtedly ups and downs in this beloved series. Let's explore each movie and determine which ones truly stand the test of time.

1. The Last Crusade

The Last Crusade: This is how an Indiana Jones movie is supposed to be. It's full of action-packed chase scenes, fist fights, and Indiana Jones traveling to various locations—US, Germany, Italy, and the Middle East—in one single film. This was also Indiana Jones at his prime. The scene where he got into a fist fight with a giant Gestapo agent, played once again by Pat Roach, was deleted, which is a pity. Unlike his other fights with brutes, Indiana Jones would have knocked out this henchman with a single, clean left hook. Technically, Indiana Jones was more on a rescue mission in this film, rather than just searching for the Holy Grail.

Key Scenes: The Zeppelin chase, the interaction with a giant Gestapo agent, and the final battle with the villain.

2. Temple of Doom

Temple of Doom: The darkest Indiana Jones film out of the bunch, it is significantly different from Raiders of the Lost Ark. It felt like a horror movie at times, and it’s surprising the film didn’t get an R rating. The fight between Indy and the big Thuggee was very realistic, and Indy could hold his ground against a larger foe. The ending was well done, as Indiana Jones actually saved the day, unlike in Raiders, where the villain simply bit off more than he could chew.

Key Scenes: The Thuggee fight, the snake pit escape, and the climax.

3. Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: Despite being an unpopular opinion, I like Crystal Skull better than Raiders of the Lost Ark. Indy is unwillingly dragged into the Cold War, where he falls under suspicion of the FBI for Soviet infiltration at Area 51. Indiana Jones has a personal reason to go on an adventure in this film, much like in The Last Crusade. Harrison Ford's portrayal of an older Indiana Jones is convincing. My three favorite scenes include the warehouse escape motorcycle chase, the jungle chase, and the fight between Indy and Dovenchenko. The fight scene with driver ants was the best of the decade, as it was very realistic without any fancy camera cuts or pseudo martial arts. The ancient alien/interdimensional being theme is fitting for an Indiana Jones film. This should have been the last Indiana Jones film for Harrison Ford.

4. Raiders of the Lost Ark

Raiders of the Lost Ark: It had its moments, but the whole plot didn’t make much sense. The Nazis were digging in the wrong spot and had no chance of finding the Ark by themselves. Even if they did, the Ark would have taken care of them and possibly even wiped out the entire Nazi leadership in Berlin. The opening sequence, the bar fight, and the desert chase were the only good parts of the film.

5. Dial of Destiny

Dial of Destiny: Meh, this film was nothing special. It shouldn’t have been made, or at least Chris Pratt should have taken the mantle. The only good parts were the opening sequence horse chase and the Marion cameo at the end. The rest of the film was just Helena trying to steal the spotlight from Indiana Jones. Not even a Sallah cameo could save this film.

Conclusion

While each Indiana Jones movie has its own unique charm, some definitely stand out more than others. The Last Crusade and Crystal Skull are top contenders, with Raiders of the Lost Ark and Temple of Doom each offering memorable moments. Dial of Destiny, unfortunately, falls short in comparison. The series has a long and rich history that continues to inspire new generations of adventure seekers and fans of this iconic character.