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From: sdyer@bbncca.ARPA (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: net.movies
Subject: Re: Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom
Message-ID: <744@bbncca.ARPA>
Date: Sat, 26-May-84 03:46:38 EDT
Article-I.D.: bbncca.744
Posted: Sat May 26 03:46:38 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 26-May-84 22:10:20 EDT
References: <162@ccieng6.UUCP> <10000047@uiuccsb.UUCP> <1942@mit-eddie.UUCP>
Organization: Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, Ma.
Lines: 25

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
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