Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

 Originally Reviewed

Saturday March 3, 2007

I thought I would pick something special for my 200th review, and what could be more special than quite possibly the greatest action/adventure film ever! No, not Die Hard, but Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade! What film could offer better action, adventure and the tag team duo of two of the greatest actors to grace the silver screen? Indiana Jones is unarguably the greatest fictional character in film, and who better to play his father than the original James Bond, Sean Connery, the man who help spawn a multi-billion dollar franchise!

The Last Crusade is the 3rd adventure in the Indiana Jones saga, while it could be deemed that last crusade signifies Jones's final adventure it's more reasonable and accurate to believe that it refers to the final crusade of the knights who searched, discovered and then swore to protect the Holy Grail. Our adventure begins with a brief back-story into the life of the young Indiana Jones, as well as a look at Indiana's father and a passion of his that would span 40 years, leading into our present day adventure.

Indiana's father Henry was obsessed with the story of the Holy Grail, the cup of Christ. He spent most of his life researching the story, gathering facts and combining them together into a diary, a guide that would be useful in the search for this great artifact. Indiana hasn't spoken to his father for many years, but receives word of his father's disappearance on a quest for the Holy Grail.  In an attempt to find him Indy becomes entangled in one of the most dangerous adventures yet, and finding himself face to face with Nazis once again, who intend to procure the Grail for their own selfish gain!

I honestly cannot think of anything negative to say about this film. The cast is spectacular, the locations are breathtaking and the action is non-stop. While the previous two films were also nothing short of amazing, certain characters such as Marian Ravenwood, Short Round and Willie Scott could be quite annoying at times, but in The Last Crusade none of the characters really grade on your nerves as much. The story is gripping and well written even more so than the previous installments and it really helps get you into the film and almost want to run out and visit the locations. I would love to go to where they filmed the entrance of the cavern where the Grail was kept, which was like a castle carved into the face of the canyon!

Overall, The Last Crusade is a definite must see film...no it's a must own film, in fact you must own this entire trilogy, as it's one of the best film trilogies out there, don't try to argue with me I'm quite right on this one. So if you're the part of the 1% of the population who hasn't experienced this film or the Indiana Jones saga get off you butt now and run out and buy the Indiana Jones Trilogy and enjoy the best three adventure films ever made.

10/10