![]() This action would continue non-stop throughout the movie, and take the audience from place to place with the characters. While not a lengthy scene, it brings in humor and serves as a snapshot of the character. Another great moment comes when Indiana is challenged to a sword fight, and instead pulls out a gun and shoots his opponent. It adds a layer of authenticity and speaks to the craft involved in the action. Slash Film shared that the boulder scene was genuine, with Ford actually running from a fiberglass boulder. However, Raiders was one of the first to show that action could be an art, with tons of moving pieces along the way. Long action scenes are common and celebrated now, largely thanks to superhero movies. The scene has been parodied numerous times, but it also changed how action sequences were thought about. With Raiders of the Lost Ark’s opening scene of Indiana setting off a trap and running from the rolling boulder, an action scene icon was born. It showed that a deep plot had a big impact, and that that deepness could still be balanced with humor. Movies like National Treasure would also succeed in this model. For example, though it’s more action-heavy, the MCU became well-known for a blend of humor and serious moments. Both of these would become common aspects of adventure movies. However, it also showed that a deeper plot could still mix well with humor to lighten it. This would encourage other adventure movies to have raised stakes and danger. While the Ark is fantasy, it highlights the very real threat that the Nazis pose, and brings depth and consequence to the movie. ![]() ![]() The problem also can’t be solved by just beating the bad guy. Indy isn’t hunting the Ark just for the fun of it, and the villain pursuing it isn’t just some fictional character. While the adventure is great fun, it also matters. The Nazis are planning to take the Ark and use it to their advantage. Though the movie revolves around the search for the Ark of the Covenant, there are higher stakes at play that bridge gaps between the supernatural, the religious, and the historical. Raiders is much more than an adventure movie. It’s clear to see the power his character has had over the genre. He showed that an adventure hero didn’t need to be cold and invincible they could have a softer, more human side, and value knowledge over violence. Rick O’Connell in The Mummy, Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider franchise, and Nathan Drake in the Uncharted franchise – to name just a few – can be seen as Indiana Jones-types. Indy would become instantly recognizable, and serve as the archetype for numerous adventure movie heroes afterward. This, along with his charm, wit, and heroics, makes him a great hero. Being an archeologist also helps make him more down-to-earth, and shows his deep appreciation for knowledge and history. He can be nervous at times, and has a huge fear of snakes. In addition, while Indy’s heroic, he’s relatable as well. Though the Bond inspiration may be there, Indy is different enough to stand as an iconic hero in his own right. In speaking with colleague George Lucas, Lucas suggested an archeologist instead, and the rest is history. One of the biggest heroes at the time was James Bond, and, interestingly enough, Indiana Jones was born out of Spielberg’s desire to make a Bond movie, per Datebook. Luckily, the character – and Ford’s performance – makes him a great hero. As the title character, there’s a lot riding on Indiana Jones.
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