Dog Max’s family gains a child; elsewhere, there’s a zoo tiger to rescue. Episodic and somewhat contrived sequel that delivers in some scenes, but which doesn’t hang together as a movie. Some sharper jokes this time out though, and both a lovely chase climax and a lesson learned for our protagonist.
Tag: harrison ford
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984, dir. Steven Spielberg)
An archaeologist and a nightclub singer find themselves facing an ancient occult evil. Though this prequel starts and finishes well, it’s hampered by an absence of narrative causality, two annoying sidekicks, and unfortunate treatment of gender and ethnicity throughout. Some great stuff remains, but this is too awkward too often.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, dir. Steven Spielberg)
An American archaeologist races the Nazis to locate a fabled Biblical artefact. Still-dazzling homage to adventure serials, cleverly balancing thrills, comedy, action, horror, romance and a love of the movies. Made with skill and passion, with all involved at the top of their respective games. Recommended. Sequels followed.
Star Wars: Empire of Dreams (2004, dir. Edith Becker & Kevin Burns)
An uncritical though still fascinating documentary on the development and making of the original Star Wars trilogy, focusing on production problems with the first film. Plenty of detail here for fans. Though many of these stories have been often-told, they’re collected here in an engaging way. Fun for completists.
Star Wars [AKA Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope] (1977, dir. George Lucas)
![Star Wars [AKA Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope] (1977, dir. George Lucas)](https://255review.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/star_wars_ukquad3-1.jpg?w=1200)
An orphaned farmhand finds he is the chosen one to lead an intergalactic rebellion. Splendid and modest SF/fairy story hybrid, unfairly weighed down by later expectations. In its own terms, a sprightly and successful adventure, nothing more.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017, dir. Denis Villeneuve)
A replicant assassin uncovers a decades-old conspiracy. A worthy follow-up to the Ridley Scott classic; 2049 is deliberately-paced, but stunning in places and gorgeous to look at throughout. Recommended.
Fancy another 255 opinion? Here’s Xussia’s take.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015, dir. JJ Abrams)
Chapter 7 in the Skywalker saga. This rebooted SF/fantasy is a calculated pleasure, riffing on no end of series themes and on the structure of the 1977 movie in particular. Slightly soulless, but a decent reintroduction to the mythos.
Patriot Games (1992, dir. Phillip Noyce)
Or, Jack Ryan v. bits of the IRA. Awkwardly-conceived thriller which tries to have ‘good’ and ‘bad’ terrorists (this was pre-9/11; the IRA tended to be romanticised in US popculture). Some decent set-pieces, and a picture-postcard view of the UK.
Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade (1989, dir. Steven Spielberg)
Jones goes in search of his lost father, and the Holy Grail. The third Jones adventure is a sparkling comedy with heaps of good set-pieces and a tongue-in-cheek sensibility. Some iffy early CG and plotting aside, this is rip-roaring stuff, though the lightest in the series.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, dir. Steven Spielberg)
An American archaeologist races Nazis to a mystical artefact. Peerless action-adventure, expertly balancing thrills, romance, danger, comic moments, old-school stunt work and still-impressive visual effects. Still the state of this particular art.
255 Review 