Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

User Review

• 

  thismoviestinks

  9 / 10

  One of the great adventure blockbusters of the 20th century, Raiders combines the kinetic fun of Star Wars with the exotic, globetrotting appeal of James Bond. Harrison Ford's humor and physicality made him a legendary cinema hero (again), and his excellent supporting cast supplies the energy and vitality required to make this world feel authentic.
  
  Even if you've never seen this film you'll recognize at least one scene or image; Raiders is almost one long best-of mashup with the number of iconic scenes it features. From the rolling boulder escape to melting Nazi faces, something here has been parodied or ripped off in other media. This film, along with A New Hope, set the action/adventure boilerplate for generations of filmmakers.
  
  There isn't much to critique here, Raiders of the Lost Ark is about as close as you'll get to a perfectly executed genre picture. If you're reading this and have not yet seen the film allow me to leave you with some incentives for dropping what you're doing and immediately renting it: drinking contests, peak Harrison Ford face, dozens of dead Nazis, explosions, the wrath of God, and, did I mention dozens of dead Nazis? What else do you need?

  Like?

  1 member likes this review.