Review of Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) by Afonso A — 15 Sep 2018

As a child, I wanted to be Indiana Jones. I wore hats and carried a string around, declaring that it was my whip.

I still want to be Indiana Jones.

I can't begin to explain the impact that this film has had, not only on me, but on the world as a whole. So many quotable lines, so many memorable moments, so many grandiose scenes, and an unforgettable soundtrack.

For me, Raiders of the Lost Ark - and the original three Indiana Jones films - are the height of adventure.

More than anything else, Raiders of the Lost Ark is just plain fun. It's exciting and endearing and enthralling from the very first moment Indiana turns around and you catch that gruff, grizzled visage bathed in shadow.

Sure, the film has its issues. How do snakes survive thousands of years inside of a buried tomb? How can that many snakes exist in one centralized location?

But you know what? None of that matters. None of the questions of realism or suspension of disbelief matter because it feels real. The authenticity of this film is realized through the devotion of the actors to their characters, and the effort put forth to bring the world of Indiana Jones to life.

I must have watched Raiders of the Lost Ark dozens of times by now, and I could easily watch it dozens of times more.