Dr.Jonesy
Well-known member
I actually find Irina Spalko to be one of the coolest villains in the Indy saga. She's just damn cool. And some say she wasn't threatening enough, and I disagree somewhat. She was great, a bit more of a villain than Belloq or Donovan were in terms of intent and maliciousness.
Her agenda is actually quite more un-nerving than the Nazis or Thuggees. They want to take over the world via force, capable of being resisted. She however, wants to conquer the world via force but also through your mind; which is far more frightening. Think about it, your entire mind is compromised by one school of thought that was once your enemy. You completely lose yourself.
She doesn't hesitate to initiate orders to mow down a population of natives at Akator, nor does she qualm about U.S. soldiers being mowed down. She comes off as sly and curious; but also very non-chalant in ordering death to take place. "No defiant last words, Dr. Jones?" - She hasn't said a word to him since they first entered the warehouse, and now she's just asking coldly what his last words are before she orders his death. Pretty cool, IMO.
Not to mention that she doesn't seem to care about the minds she destroys; she tries to sacrifice a person's sanity to try and find Akator.
Not to mention that she can kick Mutt's rear end, and has physical abilities in a fight against a male, not to mention her swordsmanship. She could've kicked the crap out of Indy, I think.
I think among some people, she's a very underrated villain. Aside from the amazing Mola Ram and Shrewd-Indy-Doppelganger Belloq, she ranks right up there as one of the best in the series. Though her 'psychic' side could've been ALOT more fleshed out. I just write it off to the fact that she was delusional, which is threatening, too!
It was also bold to utilize a female villain; not the usual Hollywood path of villainy chosen.