INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (1984) – A Retro Review

Sequels

In many instances, sequels are automatically looked upon with a certain distaste. Perhaps it’s impossible to catch lightning in a bottle twice. Maybe it’s unreasonable expectations established by the success of the original. Sometimes, opinions about sequels are unfairly loaded before the film is even released. This certainly applies to Steven Spielberg’s 1984 release of Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom.

Audiences are quick to deem a sequel unsatisfactory if it doesn’t follow the same formula as its predecessor. Though there are countless examples of this phenomenon throughout cinematic history. There remain many films like Aliens and Terminator 2 (both directed by James Cameron) that have managed to rebuff the sophomore curse.

These two films have gone on to become classics in their own right. While few cinephiles will argue the brilliance of those particular sequels. There have been other second additions over the years which fans have continued to remain divided on.

Temple Of Doom is a movie that has been equally reviled since its release. Although many cinephiles feel that the director “jumped the shark” with his follow-up to the hugely successful and beloved classic Raiders of the Lost Ark. There remain legions of followers who maintain that Temple Of Doom remains among the best examples of movie sequels.

Synopsis

Though Temple of Doom is considered a sequel, the story takes place one year before Professor Jones foiled the Nazis’ attempt to obtain the Ark of the Covenant in Raiders of the Lost Ark. This new chapter in the professor’s adventures finds Jones (Harrison Ford) in India.

Following a mishap with local Chinese gangsters, and a narrow escape with a Shanghai nightclub singer named Willie (Kate Capshaw) and a savvy kid called Short Round (The Goonies’ Jonathan Ke Quan), the unlikely trio crash land their sabotaged escape plane in the Indian jungle.

When approached by villagers, they soon learn that all of the local children have vanished, along with a sacred stone. Believing that their magical stone can be found in the nearby ancient palace of an Indian prince. The village leader implores Jones to rescue their hallowed relic. Thus lifting the curse that has stolen their children.

When Jones and his cohorts are invited to the palace, they are assured by the young prince that the stone is nowhere to be found, and that nothing is amiss in his kingdom. Soon, though, the adventurers discover a secret passage that leads to a sinister chamber. Where human sacrifice and a fiery, lava-filled chasm await those who question the status quo.

Analysis

From the first frame of the movie, Temple of Doom has all the hallmarks and trappings of a great adventure classic: exotic locales, unlikely partners, and unmistakable bad guys. Not to mention danger and intrigue at every turn. There’s also a healthy dose of humor that is infused into the movie.

In addition to the non-stop action in this outing, Spielberg bumps up the cringe factor with several sequences. These include a lavish “traditional” Indian meal not suited for the Western palate. A chamber filled with all sorts of creepy crawlers. As well as a surprisingly gruesome scene that pushed the MPAA to establish the PG-13 rating.

Though additions like these tended to make some viewers exuberant to have a bit of edge with their adventure, others found the added ickiness to be a bit too “over-the-top.” Aside from these squirm-inducing moments, Temple Of Doom is a consummate adventure epic through and through.

Cliffhangers

With never a dull moment (unless you count the obligatory “love stuff”), Indiana goes from cliffhanger to cliffhanger. He barely evades the baddies, while in pursuit of the smoldering do-gooder. Spielberg deftly maintains a breakneck tempo throughout the film which keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

This culminates in an actual roller-coaster ride through the mine shafts in the depths of the labyrinthine caverns. Though there were rumblings that such a sequence was tailor-made for theme park tie-ins (which perpetuated more film snobbery toward the sequel), un-jaded fans view the wild ride as one of the more inspired chase scenes in cinematic history.

The Cast

As always, Harrison Ford plays Indiana with the perfect blend of bravado and foolishness. He brazenly stampedes into one dangerous predicament after another. The schtick never tires, and audiences revel in the idea that their hero can be fallible. Ford’s ruggedly handsome grin never hurts either.

Kate Capshaw is utterly delightful as the screwball damsel-in-distress Willie. Though she’s no Marion Ravenwood, she takes hilarious turns showing her character’s capable and vulnerable sides. Spielberg must have also been enchanted by the actress. The two married shortly after filming ended and have been married for over thirty years.

Perhaps one of the most fun cinematic pairings of all time is that of Indiana and his pint-sized side-kick Short Round. Not only does Jonathan Ke Quan provide a good portion of the laughs in the film. He also enables Spielberg to show a doting side of Indy that was never seen before.

While the two are certainly more partners than anything that resembles a family. Their dynamic, along with Willie, helps give Indiana Jones a bit more humanity. This in turn makes the beloved character even more endearing. With his plucky demeanor and humorous wisecracks, Quan nearly steals the show. It’s no surprise that Spielberg hand-picked Quan a couple of years later for a role in his epic production, The Goonies.

Conclusion

Thirty-plus years after its release, Temple of Doom has become one of the more polarizing sequels in the film world. There’s no question that some of the material in the movie is over the top. Yet that’s exactly how many people like their adventure films. Filled to the brim with sights and sounds that defy reality and inspire imagination.

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