Review of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) by Stephen Z — 05 Aug 2014

"The Temple of Doom" is an unusual film. Not just because of the strange things that happen in this film, but also because this film contains some of the best and worst moments in the Indiana Jones series. This really is a decent film, but what it suffers from is its alienation from viewers.

With "Raiders", the bad guys were Nazis, who are quite familiar to most people. But this film revolves around the Indian culture, a culture that isn't as familiar. Most of us do not know much about Hinduism, the Thuggee cult, or the Sankara Stones. The film assumes to much prior knowledge on the part of the viewers, and as a result, distances the average viewer from the film.

But for the viewers who can hang in there, this film has its rewards. Just like "Raiders", "The Temple of Doom's" appeal resides its charm and its fast-paced action. From its James Bond-esque beginning to its thrilling, action-packed conclusion, "The Temple of Doom" delivers some iconic Indy moments. And of course, Harrison Ford gives his usual, charming performance as the World's Most Interesting Man.

When you look past the foreign nature of its direction, "The Temple of Doom" really is a great film. The movie has the darkest tone of the series, which isn't a bad thing. It is a sign of maturity. But coupled with the "Kali ma!" and the monkey brains, this movie almost feels like a horror flick. But when you look at this film for what it really is - a charming and exciting picture - you'll see that "The Temple of Doom" is a classic and a great entry in the tales of Indiana Jones.