In the trilogy, Indy was either directly or indirectly after a specific artifact that had some value to someone and either needed to get out of the wrong hands and/or put into the right ones.
We have the Ark of the Covenant; the Shankara stones; and the Holy Grail.
With the possible exception of the Ark, none of these were obvious world threatening artifacts. With Indy 4 almost guaranteed to be the last Indiana Jones movie, we should see our hero trekking to find an artifact of world-threatening proportions. From my knowledge of the Bible, there is really no biblical relic that wouldy fit this description.
Thus, Lucas should make up one (or look up one) from a lesser known country - can you say, Russia? - that could have some serious ramifications if the Commies get there hands on it. This could be why Indy comes out of retirement; or staves off retirement for one last adventure. The plot almost develops itself.
Actually, by lesser known, I didn't mean "country" (yes, I used that term, but...) what I meant was lesser known societal history. Basically, the traditions and lore. I would assume the general populace in America wouldn't know much about Russian folklore, so it would seem a relatively easy place to make up an artifact.
Originally posted by philhos Sorry, I shoulda said lesser-used?
Actually, by lesser known, I didn't mean "country" (yes, I used that term, but...) what I meant was lesser known societal history. Basically, the traditions and lore. I would assume the general populace in America wouldn't know much about Russian folklore, so it would seem a relatively easy place to make up an artifact.
Originally posted by Aaron H I would like to see snow of somekind used heavily...not like ToD and its terrible use of snow.
yeah, that would be pretty good, like in a russian winter - not too heavily though (no snow palaces and snow weapons aka die another day), but trudging through "snow dunes", with a little bit of snow storming could be made to work
Originally posted by philhos Sorry, I shoulda said lesser-used?
Actually, by lesser known, I didn't mean "country" (yes, I used that term, but...) what I meant was lesser known societal history. Basically, the traditions and lore. I would assume the general populace in America wouldn't know much about Russian folklore, so it would seem a relatively easy place to make up an artifact.
I gotcha, thats cool
Russian folklore?
Why would you want to make something up, isnt that part of the fun of Indy that we have heard of it?
Besides mainstream Russian folklore is largely based around the Orthodox Church and maybe a few relics of their kings such as Ivan the terrible (i think i am on the edge of ignorance here!)
It is drawn from the same tradition as western 'folklore' besides the Stalnists did not hold with 'folklore'
Hmmmm...
That's a very interesting idea Ren. Never thought of anything like that. It would definitely differentiate the 4th from the rest, but could (and it better!) still have the Indy formula. This would be an awesome twist.
Any ideas on what he could prove wrong? I will think about it...
Proving something doesn't exist might be an interesting twist, but I don't know how satisfying it would be for an audience. Watching Indy run across snowy mountains, into a dark, secret temple, only to find.... nothing! "Ah hah!" he says, turning to the bad guys, "I told you the artifact wouldn't be here!" (cue Raiders March, The End.)
the idea of proving something wrong sounds too much like Scooby-Doo, which was always lame because the supernatural turned out to be scientifically explained.
part of the raiders formula and the b-movie appeal is that the supernatural can happen: this is indiana jones - a person who is invincible, an archetypal hero...it is not the x-files, or meant to be realistic in nature
of course, then, the real excitement of the movies is that this is placed in the context of a realistic world - no CGI, etc
I think the great thing about the supernatural element of the artifacts is the fact that their supernatural impact is brief and the film does not comment on it, even the Grail which really does create a sense of wonder within the world of this rather cynical world weary adventurer extraordinary things can occur..
Arctifacts from Greek and/or Roman mythology would not be good. You don't want something that everyone thinks of as just silly stories.
I'd say maybe he could find some of the Dead Sea Scrolls, but the arctifact always seems to be of help and/or destruction to/for someone, which the dead sea scrolls accomplish none of the above, really.
The Artifact for the 4th Indiana Jones movie should be a Lightsaber. It would be real old and if the bad guys got it thay could cut you and that would hurt or maybe kill you and that would suck.
Originally posted by Webley The Artifact for the 4th Indiana Jones movie should be a Lightsaber. It would be real old and if the bad guys got it thay could cut you and that would hurt or maybe kill you and that would suck.
I'd say maybe the garden of eden itself.
I've heard possible plans for it being in China, I don't believe them, but there aren't many artifacts THERE.
I've also heard about the Noah's Arc being used, (the SECOND true arc!) I doubt that's possible as well, because there are no "world-threatening" views about it... Unless they decided to flood the world and half the german population were to ride on it....
Well, if we go by what we've already seen, it pretty much has to be something:
1) Small enough to move (Ark of the Covenant, Shankara stones, Grail)
2) Of great power
3) Of significant importance to a major religion
Ark - Judaism
Shankara - Hinduism
Grail - Christianity
I think that pretty much counts out things like Noah's Ark (too big to move, no real power), or Excalibur (not of religious importance).
Of course, they could entirely break the mold and do something different.
However, at this point, I would be looking to see if Islam, has any major artifacts, since it hasn't been touched on yet.
I would agrue that the Grail is not a vital part of Christianity, like the Ark of the Covenant. The Shankara Stones are important only to some sects of Hinduism.
