spage.ES@XEROX.ARPA (05/24/84)
It's time again for the summer onslaught and this summer's Spielberg and Lucas production is 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom'. Since it is a sequel, I couldn't help but compare it to its predecessor, 'Raiders'. 'Temple of Doom' was as action-packed, fast-paced, and suspenceful as 'Raiders', but it was perhaps a little more camp and a little less funny. Also, I found the plot a bit more oppressively evil and the effects more gorey than 'Raiders'. Some of the panoramic views gave me a definate impression of being painted backdrops, and a few other effects were a bit disappointing. The acting was very good and a few scenes well worth remembering. All in all, I'm glad I saw it, but I'll probably pay to see it just this once (unlike 'Raiders' which I've seen three times). I would be hesitant to bring children (there are quite a few in the story). For those in the South Bay area, I saw this at the Manhatten Beach Mall. I bought my ticket at 5:00, went to the mall, and walked into the theatre at 5:15 for a 5:30 showing. The theatre was well populated but by no means full. I don't know if it will continue as such, but its playing in three theatres there, and right after work its hardly ever full. But no bargain prices for this movie. Sandra
Conde.PA@XEROX.ARPA (05/24/84)
SPOILER WARNING I'll give it a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10. I'm not saying it's bad, but I won't give it 4 stars. Sure, it's action packed, suspenseful, but it doesn't have much of a plot or any character development. It was more or less like a machine cranking out one thrill after another, and the story simply created situations to place the next obligatory chase scene. One can't expect too much out of a movie like this, but as spage.ES mentioned, the first movie had more life to it. The lead woman's role was pretty bad, and she was given a bunch of bad lines, if any. The dining table scene was a gross out. How does it contribute to the situation? On top of that, since this was a "prequel", one expected SOME exposition for the other movie, but we didn't get any. If you didn't see the other movie, he could just as well be another grave robber, and not a scientist. It reminds me of a comparison between Disneyland and the Great America amusement park. Disneyland is fun because of the imagination in the rides, while Great America simply has thrills and jolts. If you want thrills, IJATTOD is unbelievably great and fanatasitic, but if you're looking for something else, then don't expect any of it. Dan
rh@mit-eddie.UUCP (Randy Haskins) (05/26/84)
Yet another opinion.... I think that the movie *should* have been rated R. There was the graphic stuff, and there was also some not-so-graphic terror that wouldn't be good for children. I wasn't impressed with Kate Capshaw, but as was pointed out, she didn't have much of a chance to show her stuff. I also don't think that the sound of the movie meritted using 6-track magnetic (although, I will admit, I was forced to sit in a Less-Than-Optimal-for-sound location in the theater.) Now, in all fairness, I was entertained by the movie, even though it was as full of holes as the collander I drain my rice in. The action sequences are great (especially the opening one, which makes anything in RotLA look tame), but there ain't much stringin' 'em together. Give it a 3 out of 4.17 (it wasn't quite good enough for 3 out of 4...) -- Randwulf (Randy Haskins); Path= genrad!mit-eddie!rh
sdyer@bbncca.ARPA (Steve Dyer) (05/26/84)
This sequel is full of action--the cinematic equivalent of a roller coaster
ride, with much the same depth. There's no doubt that you get your $4.50
worth, but it lacks the panache, atmosphere and character development of
RoftLA.
As an example, the female protagonist in the original was a strong, willful
and capable character--so much so, in fact, that she often stole scenes
from Harrison Ford's wimpy realization of Prof. Jones. Here, she's
replaced by a "dumb blonde" type, predatory and scheming when it comes to
men or diamonds, and always concerned about her appearance and comfort. A
cartoon, for sure, but cartoons can't carry a movie, and whenever she's on
screen we expect no surprises, just the projector cranking out the old,
tired stereotypical jokes in 70mm Dolby. Homage to a genre is fine, but
it's nice if it can transcend it as well (as RoftLA did.) The two fall in
love, fer shur, but I can only attribute it to hormones and the lack of
other mutually suitable company.
Funny how both movies use a literal "Deus ex Machina", an invocation of
the supernatural to help the good guys escape from their binds at the
climactic scenes. I half expected to hear flames from netters in the
audience screaming "Keep it in net.religion!"
--
/Steve Dyer
{decvax,linus,ima}!bbncca!sdyer
sdyer@bbncca.ARPA