I've changed my mind about KOTCS

[kngfu]

I actually enjoyed the film even with it's shortcomings. Can someone do a "Phantom Edit" version to tighten it up?

 

[IrishJedi]

I actually enjoyed the film even with it's shortcomings. Can someone do a "Phantom Edit" version to tighten it up?

The jungle sequences could definitely use some tuning up. That's really where the film lags. To me, the weakest stretch of the film is from the point they arrive at that cemetary to when they actually get to Akator. I still like the drysand/"snake" rope scene, though.

 

[DinoLast]

I bet if Temple of Doom came out today instead of the 80's when you were kids or not even born yet, you would judge the film differently. I remember a lot of adults back then were disappointed that it was more farfetched than Raiders.

 

[The Josh]

I bet if Temple of Doom came out today instead of the 80's when you were kids or not even born yet, you would judge the film differently. I remember a lot of adults back then were disappointed that it was more farfetched than Raiders.

TOD is my least favorite film of this series. I would put KOTCS above it honestly or at least tied with it.

 

[ProgMatinee]

The only thing I don't like in TOD is the McGuffin is a bit weak. The action, plot, acting, writing is all great. Excellent fun scenes like the mine cars, bugs, etc.

 

[Tyler]

I have seen it twice. The first time I didn't like it. The second time I liked it even less. I love the first three, so it's a shame that I have to pretend to myself that No4 doesnt exist.

Even though i'm not religious I think the last one should have been based on religion just like the others. I bet it would have been accepted more by the public. Also if it had good special effects and did away with that silly stunt where Marion jumps the truck into a tree that may have helped as well.

 

[ProgMatinee]

Space men is the new religion.

 

[Mighty_Jabba]

TOD is my least favorite film of this series. I would put KOTCS above it honestly or at least tied with it.

Just compare the endings between the two films.
KotCS - Indy & Co run away from a collapsing temple and then watch a huge CGI ufo spectacle - zero tension whatsover
ToD - Indy on the bridge surrounded by thuggies and you on the edge of your seat thinking "how the f^^^k is he gonna get out of this?!" - that's how you end your film!

 

[EVILFACE]

I bet if Temple of Doom came out today instead of the 80's when you were kids or not even born yet, you would judge the film differently. I remember a lot of adults back then were disappointed that it was more farfetched than Raiders.

The bridge scene is TOD is better than anything KOTCS had.

 

[FDBMath]

For me, I was a bit unimpressed when I saw it in the theater. Since then, I have bought it on Blu-Ray and I actually like it. I don't think it is anywhere near as good as the other three, but it does have its moments. I would give it about a 6.5 out of 10 (TDK, Raiders being examples of 10's).

 

[The Josh]

Just compare the endings between the two films.
KotCS - Indy & Co run away from a collapsing temple and then watch a huge CGI ufo spectacle - zero tension whatsover
ToD - Indy on the bridge surrounded by thuggies and you on the edge of your seat thinking "how the f^^^k is he gonna get out of this?!" - that's how you end your film!

I think both endings fit their films fine.

 

[Mighty_Jabba]

I think both endings fit their films fine.

Yeah, but it's not about how they fit their respective films but how they work as an exciting ending to a film. ToD's ending is full of tension and excitement, KotCS just lies flat for the most part of the second half of the film. There's nothing at stake, they don't even have to figure anything out to get where they have to - the skull does everything for them.

 

[Khev]

ToD - Indy on the bridge surrounded by thuggies and you on the edge of your seat thinking "how the f^^^k is he gonna get out of this?!" - that's how you end your film!

That would have been a terrible way to end the movie.

"Mola Ram, I'll see you...in hell!" END CREDITS

 

[theropod]

That would have been a terrible way to end the movie.

"Mola Ram, I'll see you...in hell!" END CREDITS

Especially since the events in TOD are supposed to predate ROTLA.
-theropod

BTW, I think KOTCS is 90% great movie, 10% WTF. One more script draft, a little simplification and set of fresh storyboards would have made it second only to ROTLA.

Fridge survival - OK
Flying fridge - Over the top
My suggestion - Fridge collaspes into underground mine shaft that subsequently closes in after blast which shields away the majority of the radiation fallout.

Crystal Skull Aliens - OK
Temple that turns into transdimensional UFO - Over the top
My suggestion - Aliens do not come to life but in the spirit of the 50's B-movie aspect they were going for the 13th skull is a key to the trans-dimensional portal that causes the temple to collapse. Classic temple escape - minus Alien mind-zapping Spalko and giant flying UFO.

Swinging from vines - OK
Swinging from vines with an instantly befriended pack of wild monkeys - Over the top
My suggestion - Rabid monkeys actually attempt to attack Mutt, Mutt gets away when Russian soldiers become victim of monkey attack. Mutt is reunited later with a grieving Marion who thinks she lost her son.

My suggestions keep these story elements, but give them a simplified explanation.

 

[Wor-Gar]

The jungle sequences could definitely use some tuning up. That's really where the film lags. To me, the weakest stretch of the film is from the point they arrive at that cemetary to when they actually get to Akator. I still like the drysand/"snake" rope scene, though.

They could have cut most of the Spalko camp stuff that goes on and on and on forever -- cut the entire Spalko speech about the skull and her super plot and cut the hynosis/whatever stuff that doesn't pay-off and just intro Marion to force Indy to play along so he can recognize the obvious auto-writing and then go into the jungle chase.

I would also add a scene where Marion talks to the monkeys -- since she's obvious befriended one before -- and tells them to help her son in monkeyese. Would fit right in with the rest.


BTW, on the fridge, to hell with the radiation -- Indy would have been boiled into mush inside that fridge just from the blast impact alone. What's lead got to do with it? That's for kryptonite.

 

[KitFisto]

I never saw it at the movies. Heard how bad it was, but got the BR for $16. I liked it. It was every bit as ridiculous and fun as the other Indy movies. ROTLA is a great film and the best of the bunch. KOTCS is no better or worse than TOD or LC. It was fun which is what I had come to hope for from an Indy film.

 

[MANDO]

The only moments that really killed it for me were the fridge debacle and the monkey bit. I like Mutt and reuniting with Marion and I think Spalko was good villain. I think I was also expecting a bit more of a duel between Mutt and Spalko and was somewhat dissappointed that it took place on jeeps. While it was fun, I think a duel in the temple would've been a great nuance to films like Robin Hood and Count of Monte Cristo. Then again I'm a big fan of sword fights...

 

[NASEDO]

I tried watching this 3 different times on DVD, and turned it off everytime. I love the other 3 Indy movies, just cant get thru this one.

 

[jedibear]

I enjoyed it in the theaters and have enjoyed watching it on BR. Its a fun movie to watch and its awesome to see Indy on screen again. For me personally its a nice addition to a series I truly enjoy.

What he said....

 

[Wor-Gar]

The only movie we've gotten figures from is ROTLA. That says it all.

In truth, the other three are all rather silly when compared with the first. I wish Steven and Geroge and Harry could have kept that 'Raiders' sensibility for some of the others.

Then again, at that time Lucas was beginning on Howard the Duck and Speilberg was producing Gremlins and soon Goonies. It was a silly couple years there.