Canyon
Well-known member
Okay. I have been thinking a lot about Indy 4 and after looking at most of the threads on this board, I cannot believe how negative most of them are, whether the discussion is about the quality of the film, or if it is about the most discussed thing of all, Harrison Ford's age. I now feel that it is time to even up the score, and I am not trying to play Devil's advocate, I just feel that most people are being far to harsh about this film, even before it has been made.
I have several reasons why I think that Indy 4 is going to work, which I will now explain:
Firstly, George Lucas.
Okay, I know that most of you so far hate the new Star Wars movies, but I think that there have been far too many unfair comments made about him. Once upon a time, a promising young film director called George Lucas brought out a film called THX 1138, which went down pretty well with critics. A few years later, he brought out another film, which some of you may have heard of. Star Wars. As all of you know, this film blew everyone away. In the same decade, he came up with a fantastic idea, about an archaeologist adventurer who searched in exotic, foreign lands for ancient artefacts, a man who faced danger and excitement at every turn. Today, we all know and love this character as Indiana Jones, the world's greatest screen hero and adventurer!
I am well aware Star Wars:The Phantom Menace was not very well received by the cinema going public and many even disliked Attack of the Clones. I will admit, the new Star Wars film can never measure up to the originals, and not even Star Wars Episode III will be able to do that, but I do believe that George Lucas has come back on form with Episode II and I also believe that Episode III will be blow everyone away. Please bear in mind that he has a helluva lot to live up to. Imagine if over twenty years ago, you brought out a film like Star Wars, something which not only blew everyone away, but something that people treated more like a religion than a film.
If you go back to Episode I, you will see that minus Jar Jar, you have a fairly entertaining film. If you go back to watch Episode II, I believe that you have a great film. I think that the casting was excellent, the story and script were very good, and lastly, because I know that special effects do not just make a film by themselves, the effects done by Industrial Light and Magic were nothing short of spectacular.
My first reason: George Lucas has come back on form, he will come back to Indy 4 and I believe that he is going to surprise a lot of people.
Secondly, Steven Spielberg.
Spielberg has to be one of, if not, the best directors that has ever lived. Not only did he direct the original Indy trilogy (and it's always great to see a director return to his original project) he has also directed some great classics namely, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Jaws, ET, The Color Purple, Schlinder's List etc. He is also, in my opinion, one of the most gifted directors around today. I remember a few years ago during an interview, he said that he actually missed making big epic movies, and I felt that he was hinting towards the Indy films. That comment stayed with me, as I knew at that point he was dying to direct another Indy film. It's gonna be great to have the original team back and I feel that Spielberg is a crucial part to that team.
My second reason: Steven Spielberg is a fantastic director and someone who thoroughly enjoyed directing the Indiana Jones trilogy. He is also someone who I am sure will do an amazing job of directing Indy 4.
Thirdly, Harrison Ford.
To me, Harrison Ford is probably not only one of, but quite possibly the greatest actor the world has ever seen. When Harrison was in Star Wars, critics loved his performance as the sexy scoundrel, Han Solo. Four years later, he starred in the first Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark. He became an international superstar, and his performance was hailed by critics by being similar to that of Errol Flynn, Humprey Bogart etc. The great thing about Harrison's performance in the Indiana Jones trilogy is he is an everyman playing someone who is also an everyman. At the end of the day, Indiana Jones, although brave, daring and heroic, is also just a man. He does some of the most amazingly fantastic things and goes on some of the greatest adventurers and the best thing about Indy is the fact that he is mortal, therefore making it lot easier for him to die, thus making the character more interesting. Harrison's performance as Indy was, in my opinion, the greatest portrayal of a character that I have ever seen in the history of cinema. He successfully portrayed the 'heroic one' with just the right amount of charm and humour, and the fact that he did most of his own stunts added to his successful portrayal of this wonderfully popular character.
I know why many of you have doubts about Harrison in Indy 4 and it comes down to one thing. His age. Yes, I am well aware that Harrison is now 61, and he will be 62/63 when he makes Indy 4 and when the film comes out. What you have to understand is that after Last Crusade Harrison did not give up doing action roles. He went on to make, Patriot Games, The Fugitive, Clear and Present Danger, Air Force one, Six days Seven nights etc. Now if he had not done an action film since the last Indy film (say for instance the last one was twenty years ago) then yes, it might be time to move on, but the fact is that Harrison is STILL doing his own stunts (and this can be seen in Hollywood Homicide). He was once described as being "physical to a fault." I am more than aware that in the new Indy film, our beloved archaeologist will not be able to move as fast has he did in the 1930's, but to be fair that is part of life. People get older, and I can't help but think that people cannot handle the fact that their favourite actor is no longer a 'young' man. I also feel that there is too much emphasis put on age and people like to use the word 'old' far too much. If it's the fact that Harrison has now got grey hair, he'll probably be wearing a fedora most of the time in this new film, and if that is all everyone is concerned about, then I say you have very little to worry about.
I believe that Harrison Ford will be wonderful in Indy 4 because he is the one who wanted to come back and play Indy in the first place! The fact that it is his idea, and also the fact that he seems extremely enthusiastic about playing Indy, is enough for me to believe that he WILL indeed be great in Indy 4. Ford is a very intelligent man, someone who has not just been lucky in his film career, but someone who has made some great film choices. Granted, he has made some mistakes in the past, but he is only human. I believe that it is his enthusiasm for the project that means he will give the film 110% and indeed for all the reasons above, I believe that 'The Three' will do a wonderful job of making Indy's fourth screen adventure! Please understand that Harrison would not be making another Indy film if he didn't a) feel up to it and b) didn't want to do it. It's has nothing to do with money, it's about the enjoyment of making another Indy film.
My third reason: Harrison Ford, possibly the greatest actor of our generation <small>and the fact that he was drop dead gorgeous in the trilogy, and will no doubt be a dreamboat in this one for all of us ladies! *swoon*</small>
There are other factors that I feel contribute to this being a great film. Frank Darabont, who I feel will no doubt will come up with a wonderful script. Also ILM, who I am sure will bring us some fantastic special effects. The three films had elements of supernatural fantasy and I feel that a little of this in the new film would be needed, just as long as it is not overused. John Williams, I am sure will create an absolutely wonderful soundtrack, Drew Struzan who will once again provide us with some mind blowing artwork, and also to the rest of the cast and crew who will no doubt be great!
I would just like to end by saying it is a shame that many people (including Indy fans) already seem to have a lot of pre-conceived ideas about this film, and it has not even been made yet! It's a lot like taking a driving test. If you tell yourself before hat you are no good and that you will fail, you probably will. What I am trying to say is, if everyone makes up their mind that the film is already rubbish, when the film comes out they will go to the cinema and will have already made up their minds about the film. In turn, they will not enjoy the film because they have already made their minds up.
Lastly, I think that having Indy in the 1950's has great potential. The era of the 1950's till, for me, holds a mystical feel to it, and I consider the first half of the 20's century to be a very special time. I really think it's about time that people cut George Lucas, Steven Speilberg and Harrison Ford some slack. Here are some of the greatest men to ever be involved in the history of film-making and when these three men get together, the magic starts. So don't worry about it, and let these three men get on with it, and more importantly, trust them...
I have several reasons why I think that Indy 4 is going to work, which I will now explain:
Firstly, George Lucas.
Okay, I know that most of you so far hate the new Star Wars movies, but I think that there have been far too many unfair comments made about him. Once upon a time, a promising young film director called George Lucas brought out a film called THX 1138, which went down pretty well with critics. A few years later, he brought out another film, which some of you may have heard of. Star Wars. As all of you know, this film blew everyone away. In the same decade, he came up with a fantastic idea, about an archaeologist adventurer who searched in exotic, foreign lands for ancient artefacts, a man who faced danger and excitement at every turn. Today, we all know and love this character as Indiana Jones, the world's greatest screen hero and adventurer!
I am well aware Star Wars:The Phantom Menace was not very well received by the cinema going public and many even disliked Attack of the Clones. I will admit, the new Star Wars film can never measure up to the originals, and not even Star Wars Episode III will be able to do that, but I do believe that George Lucas has come back on form with Episode II and I also believe that Episode III will be blow everyone away. Please bear in mind that he has a helluva lot to live up to. Imagine if over twenty years ago, you brought out a film like Star Wars, something which not only blew everyone away, but something that people treated more like a religion than a film.
If you go back to Episode I, you will see that minus Jar Jar, you have a fairly entertaining film. If you go back to watch Episode II, I believe that you have a great film. I think that the casting was excellent, the story and script were very good, and lastly, because I know that special effects do not just make a film by themselves, the effects done by Industrial Light and Magic were nothing short of spectacular.
My first reason: George Lucas has come back on form, he will come back to Indy 4 and I believe that he is going to surprise a lot of people.
Secondly, Steven Spielberg.
Spielberg has to be one of, if not, the best directors that has ever lived. Not only did he direct the original Indy trilogy (and it's always great to see a director return to his original project) he has also directed some great classics namely, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Jaws, ET, The Color Purple, Schlinder's List etc. He is also, in my opinion, one of the most gifted directors around today. I remember a few years ago during an interview, he said that he actually missed making big epic movies, and I felt that he was hinting towards the Indy films. That comment stayed with me, as I knew at that point he was dying to direct another Indy film. It's gonna be great to have the original team back and I feel that Spielberg is a crucial part to that team.
My second reason: Steven Spielberg is a fantastic director and someone who thoroughly enjoyed directing the Indiana Jones trilogy. He is also someone who I am sure will do an amazing job of directing Indy 4.
Thirdly, Harrison Ford.
To me, Harrison Ford is probably not only one of, but quite possibly the greatest actor the world has ever seen. When Harrison was in Star Wars, critics loved his performance as the sexy scoundrel, Han Solo. Four years later, he starred in the first Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark. He became an international superstar, and his performance was hailed by critics by being similar to that of Errol Flynn, Humprey Bogart etc. The great thing about Harrison's performance in the Indiana Jones trilogy is he is an everyman playing someone who is also an everyman. At the end of the day, Indiana Jones, although brave, daring and heroic, is also just a man. He does some of the most amazingly fantastic things and goes on some of the greatest adventurers and the best thing about Indy is the fact that he is mortal, therefore making it lot easier for him to die, thus making the character more interesting. Harrison's performance as Indy was, in my opinion, the greatest portrayal of a character that I have ever seen in the history of cinema. He successfully portrayed the 'heroic one' with just the right amount of charm and humour, and the fact that he did most of his own stunts added to his successful portrayal of this wonderfully popular character.
I know why many of you have doubts about Harrison in Indy 4 and it comes down to one thing. His age. Yes, I am well aware that Harrison is now 61, and he will be 62/63 when he makes Indy 4 and when the film comes out. What you have to understand is that after Last Crusade Harrison did not give up doing action roles. He went on to make, Patriot Games, The Fugitive, Clear and Present Danger, Air Force one, Six days Seven nights etc. Now if he had not done an action film since the last Indy film (say for instance the last one was twenty years ago) then yes, it might be time to move on, but the fact is that Harrison is STILL doing his own stunts (and this can be seen in Hollywood Homicide). He was once described as being "physical to a fault." I am more than aware that in the new Indy film, our beloved archaeologist will not be able to move as fast has he did in the 1930's, but to be fair that is part of life. People get older, and I can't help but think that people cannot handle the fact that their favourite actor is no longer a 'young' man. I also feel that there is too much emphasis put on age and people like to use the word 'old' far too much. If it's the fact that Harrison has now got grey hair, he'll probably be wearing a fedora most of the time in this new film, and if that is all everyone is concerned about, then I say you have very little to worry about.
I believe that Harrison Ford will be wonderful in Indy 4 because he is the one who wanted to come back and play Indy in the first place! The fact that it is his idea, and also the fact that he seems extremely enthusiastic about playing Indy, is enough for me to believe that he WILL indeed be great in Indy 4. Ford is a very intelligent man, someone who has not just been lucky in his film career, but someone who has made some great film choices. Granted, he has made some mistakes in the past, but he is only human. I believe that it is his enthusiasm for the project that means he will give the film 110% and indeed for all the reasons above, I believe that 'The Three' will do a wonderful job of making Indy's fourth screen adventure! Please understand that Harrison would not be making another Indy film if he didn't a) feel up to it and b) didn't want to do it. It's has nothing to do with money, it's about the enjoyment of making another Indy film.
My third reason: Harrison Ford, possibly the greatest actor of our generation <small>and the fact that he was drop dead gorgeous in the trilogy, and will no doubt be a dreamboat in this one for all of us ladies! *swoon*</small>
There are other factors that I feel contribute to this being a great film. Frank Darabont, who I feel will no doubt will come up with a wonderful script. Also ILM, who I am sure will bring us some fantastic special effects. The three films had elements of supernatural fantasy and I feel that a little of this in the new film would be needed, just as long as it is not overused. John Williams, I am sure will create an absolutely wonderful soundtrack, Drew Struzan who will once again provide us with some mind blowing artwork, and also to the rest of the cast and crew who will no doubt be great!
I would just like to end by saying it is a shame that many people (including Indy fans) already seem to have a lot of pre-conceived ideas about this film, and it has not even been made yet! It's a lot like taking a driving test. If you tell yourself before hat you are no good and that you will fail, you probably will. What I am trying to say is, if everyone makes up their mind that the film is already rubbish, when the film comes out they will go to the cinema and will have already made up their minds about the film. In turn, they will not enjoy the film because they have already made their minds up.
Lastly, I think that having Indy in the 1950's has great potential. The era of the 1950's till, for me, holds a mystical feel to it, and I consider the first half of the 20's century to be a very special time. I really think it's about time that people cut George Lucas, Steven Speilberg and Harrison Ford some slack. Here are some of the greatest men to ever be involved in the history of film-making and when these three men get together, the magic starts. So don't worry about it, and let these three men get on with it, and more importantly, trust them...
