In 1981 Steven Spielberg was ontop of the Hollywood mountain, with his choice of what to do next he was in a position most directors only dream of. Knowing he wanted to do a “Globe-trotting adventure film” he turned to his good friend George Lucas for ideas, he gave him Indiana Jones and so history was made! Now some 27 years later with the release of the 4th Indiana Jones film closely approaching we take a look at Paramounts release of the original 3 films which are available for the first time as individual releases, first up the monster that started it all Raiders of the Lost Ark!
Spring 1936. In the thick jungle of the South American continent, a renowned archeologist and expert on the occult is studying fragments of a map, when one of his exploration party pulls a gun. The archeologist pulls out a bullwhip and with such disarms the turncoat, sending him running - thus does Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones stay alive. He and a guide enter a dank and oppressively vast cave that contains several traps created by the ancient race which hid inside a famous handheld statue; Indy barely escapes such traps but is cornered by native tribesmen served by Belloq, an old enemy who arrogantly makes off with the statue, while Indy must flee for his life and escape on a friend’s seaplane. Back in the US two agents from US Army intelligence tell him of Nazi German activities in archeology, including a gigantic excavation site in Egypt - a site that an intercepted cable indicates to Indy is the location of the Ark of the Covenant, the powerful chest bearing the Ten Commandments, that the Nazis can use to obliterate any enemy. Indy must recruit a former girlfriend (the daughter of his old professor) and an old chum in Cairo to infiltrate the Nazi site and make off with the Ark, but along the way Indy gets involved in a series of fights, chases, and traps, before the Nazis learn the full power of the Ark! [imdb.com]
Needless to say Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of the greatest action/adventure films ever made. With a perfect mix of action and humor this film set the standard for adventure films for years to come (just look at the National Treasure series).
As I stated before this is the first time this film is being released as an individual DVD so there are some special features that were recycled from the previous special features disc on the original boxset as well as some new features to this disc:
• All New Introduction by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas
• Indy Trilogy: A Crystal Clear Appreciation - a collection of short interviews with the cast and crew of the new film. The stars answer simple questions about the first time they saw the films, their favourite episodes and scenes, and so on.
• The Mystery of the Melting Face - A recreation of the melting face effect
• Snakes Alive! The Well of Souls Storyboards - Film and storyboard comparison
• Photo Galleries
•Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures Game Demo
As I said, some new material as well as some stuff that has been taken from that 4th disc of special features and put on to this disc.
- Rating: 5 out of 5
This disc features the exact same remastered video from the previous DVD release. Presented in its original 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen aspect Ratio, Raiders was painstakingly remasterd by the folks at Lowry Digital Images. Raiders is clean and sharp, though the overall print is rather dark, things however improve once Indy leaves the dimly lit caverns and classrooms.
Just as with the video, this THX certified Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound track is the same as the previous release as well. Though sometimes the sound effects sound unnaturally added during DVD production, not during the films post-production.
- Rating: 4 out of 5
A must have for those who didnt already have the 4-Disc Boxset this single Disc edition of Raiders is sure to please everyone young and old alike! But be aware and I am warning you now there will more than likely be another Boxset coming out this Winter when the 4th film Kingdom of the Crystal Skull gets released on the home video market, more than likely on High Def, so if you really need your Indiana Jones fix now then by all means pick up this DVD or the set its well worth it but dont be mad if come November or December we see a new expansive Blu-Ray Disc edition.
- Overall Rating: 4 out of 5
Film and Features: 5
Technical Specs: 4
Overall Review: 4
Studio: Paramount/LucasFilm
Genre: Action/Adventure
Aspect: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
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