Solid sequel.

The original Indiana Jones film was a little known production that became a worldwide hit. After the great success of Raiders of the Lost Ark it was inevitable that the team would get back together and produce another ripping yarn of an action/adventure flick. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is certainly the weakest Indiana Jones film to date. After watching it again after all these years I am reminded that even the worst film of a film series can still be bucket loads of fun.

Temple of Doom is a prequel to the original Indiana Jones film, this time set in 1935 before the Nazi occupation commenced. At the beginning of this film we are once again introduced to the legendary archaeologist with a weakness for adventure, Dr. Indiana Jones (Ford). Jones narrowly escapes a group of Chinese gangsters in a nightclub in Shanghai, ending up stranded in a remote location in India. He finds himself being partnered with a young Asian boy named Short Round (Quan) and a head-aching nightclub singer named Willie Scott (Capshaw, who ended up marrying director Steven Spielberg). The trio come across a devastated village that is under crisis. Their children have been taken and their precious stone stolen. The villagers believe Jones and his companions were brought here for a specific reason: to recover their precious stone and the missing children that they hold dearly. Trekking across the thick jungles of India the gang reach the enigmatic Pankot Palace where they are openly welcome. Indy is then faced with a baffling religious ceremony in a mystifying temple. With two companions and a whip by his side, Indy must battle the powerful forces of evil in order to recover the sacred stone and the young children that were taken as slaves.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is a lot darker and more sinister than its forerunner. We still have the gorgeous locales and elaborate sets, but we are also given some menacing horror scenes that will easily frighten young viewers. Especially when the action moves to the temple, things suddenly become exceedingly shocking. I remember being quite disturbed by these sequences when I was a youngster.

The charm and wit of Harrison Ford has not disappeared at all. Ford is energetic, funny, and sublime as Indiana Jones. The character is still whip-touting and skilled. His dialogue is impeccably written and faultlessly delivered. There is no wonder why Indiana Jones was voted several times as one of the best action heroes of all time. Kate Capshaw will make your head hurt. Throughout the whole film she's endlessly whining or complaining about the conditions. Her character is cleverly constructed; however she's just the essential clichéd damsel in distress. The first film boasted a feisty female lead who suffered from very few fundamental conventions. Recognition must go to Jonathan Ke Quan, a young actor who does a stellar job.

Steven Spielberg is the only man with the skill to helm a successful Indiana Jones film. Even with dated visual effects and limited resources, Spielberg is an accomplished director competent in bringing words on the page to life with great results.

Like the first film, this instalment is filled with stacks of stunts and spectacular special effects that are so abundant that it never leaves us any time to breathe. Unsurprisingly, the film is topped off gorgeously with the rollicking score courtesy of acclaimed composer John Williams.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was never going to improve upon the original movie. Be that as it may, this prequel to the successful 1981 adventure film is influential and entertaining. Followed by Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

7.85/10