Movie Review # 605: Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom (1984)

Everyone, today, in honor of the new Indiana Jones film, Indiana Jones & The Dial Of Destiny being released near the end of this month, we are going to be going through the other films that came before it, starting with what apparently was a prequel to 1981’s Indiana Jones: Raiders Of The Lost Ark, and going through 2008’s Indiana Jones: Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. So now, let’s go through this series, beginning with Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom.

Plot: Set in 1935, after surviving, and escaping from a murder attempt by Shanghai crime boss Lao Che (Roy Chiao), Indiana Jones, with the help of former nightclub singer Willie Scott (Kate Capshaw), and an Asian kid named Short Hand (Ke Huy Quan) arrive in an Indian village in the Himalayas called Myapore. They ask Indy, and his friends to retrieve a sacred lingam stone that was stolen by evil forces that live nearby in a palace called Pankot Palace. Jones agrees, believing that it is one of five sacred stones that helps fight evil. Will Jones, and his friends find this stone? Will Jones’ hypothesis be proven true, and will he be able to vanquish the evil that resides in Pankot Palace, and save the rural village from destruction?

So, 1984’s Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom is apparently a prequel to 1981’s Indiana Jones: Raiders Of The Lost Ark. How interesting! Well, was it a good prequel? Well, let me put it to you all this way! Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom was a decent prequel, but probably not the best. Oh yes, there is still some good things in it. So let’s start off with those. First of all, there are some action stunts/scenes that were very creative, most notably one action scene that occurs around the beginning of the film. Also, some of the characters, including the Chinese kid, Short Hand (who sometimes goes by the nickname of Shorty throughout this film) have some really funny lines, and moments. It was also nice to see some of the culture of the Indian village in the Himalayas, even if we could have gotten to know them a little more. The design of Pankot Palace was also really cool. We also get to see a softer side to Indiana Jones than we seemed to see if him in any of the other films. Well, I still have yet to rewatch the other Indiana Jones movies, but let’s just go with that for now, shall we? If that changes after rewatching the other three, soon to be four, films, I’ll let you know. The climax also had a good pace set for it as well. Finally, who doesn’t like the Indiana Jones theme music for this film, or any of the other Indiana Jones movies that have come out, or will be coming out?

Still, Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom does have some issues as well. First of all, the setup of the story wasn’t the best. I mean one moment this thing is happening a little too quickly, and then it’s onto the next thing. We don’t get too many of the characters too well, besides Indiana Jones, Willie Scott, and Short Hand. The storyline also doesn’t seem to feel all that solid, and gritty either. As for the villain, Mola Ram, he was a decent villain, but probably not the best. Sure, the filmmakers did a good job with him making the human sacrifices from time to time. Still, aside from that, he seemed to feel more one note. Same goes with most of the other characters. You don’t seem to care about them all too much. Like I said, Indiana Jones, Willie Scott, and Short Hand, you at least care for them to a degree. Still, even they didn’t seem to feel as memorable this time around. There were also a couple plot holes in this film as well. As a result of all this, the storyline doesn’t feel quite as solid, and feels a little too muddled in the end. So, did the filmmakers do better with Raiders Of The Lost Ark, The Last Crusade, or even Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull? Well, we shall find out fairly soon.

And that’s my review for Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom. Despite it having some good things in it, there’s no denying that this Indiana Jones movie seems to be one of the weaker films in this franchise. Yes, the kid was funny, some of the action scenes were fairly well choreographed, and things like those. Do the weaker elements make this film bad? Not exactly! As I said, the good elements help keep this movie afloat. Still, this Indiana Jones film could have been stronger, and better in the end. So, hopefully the filmmakers learned their lesson for the future films of this franchise that they would make, or will make. Well, still see Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom if you still have yet to. It’s still a part of the Indiana Jones franchise, there’s some fun action here and there, and there are a few other good things about it. So, definitely still see it, and see what you think!

Final Grade: B-