The film "Temple of Doom": reviews of viewers and reviews

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The second film in the series about the adventures of the black archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones, was released on the big screens in 1984. "Temple of Doom" is an American adventure film with elements of mysticism and fantasy, directed by Steven Spielberg. Although the picture was shot second in order, it is a prequel to the first film - "Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark." According to audience reviews and professional reviews, the film turned out to be a little dark and bloody.

Film concept

When producer George Lucas and director Steven Spielberg were filming the first Indiana Jones film, they immediately agreed that they would shoot 3-4 films. Of course, if the first one is successful. Since the producer insisted on it, Spielberg thought that Lucas had plot outlines for the next films. However, it turned out that the second film still needs to be invented.

Thisperiod, the partners had not at all joyful times: one divorced, and the other people died on the set. Therefore, Lucas and Spielberg decided to make the picture darker and tougher, which was later repeatedly noted by critics. They almost immediately agreed - the new picture will not be a sequel, but a prequel. And that the main character will have a new companion and other principal opponents. Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz wrote the script based on this background and Lucas's story.

Typical Reviews

Many viewers noted that the picture really turned out a bit gloomy, especially the scenes with the dungeon and sacrifices. In particular, the parents were dissatisfied, who came with their children to watch the fairy tale, but received killers and followers of the Kali cult. Some wrote that all these horrors are more like a mockery of little girls who are frightened with a disgusting dish - "monkey brains".

On the other hand, many viewers noted that all the horror scenes are smoothed out by well-staged stunts, Harrison Ford's charismatic game, Kate Capshaw's comedic talent and beauty, and the presence of a child character - a friend of Indiana Shorty, which made many scenes look a little less gloomy.

Most fans of adventure movies noted that the "Temple of Doom" is able to keep in suspense even today. The rituals of the Kali cult, a huge number of insects and bats are balanced by quite funny and not at all vulgar jokes.

Casting

That Jones is in the "Templefate" will play Harrison Ford was not in doubt, as was the fact that another actress would have to be selected for the role of his girlfriend. For a long time, Sharon Stone was considered the main contender, but soon Kate Capeshaw became the director's favorite. The former model and teacher did not have a large portfolio, however "After agreeing with Ford, the girl got the role. According to the audience, the actress simply had nothing to play in the film, mostly she screamed and squeaked, and simply pleased with her appearance.

6,000 Asian children applied for the role of Shorty, and Jonathan Ke Kuan, who came to morally support his brother, got it. The audience liked the boy's game, they noted his liveliness and spontaneity. Amrish Puri for the role of the main villain managed to get thanks to director Richard Attenborough, who starred in the film "Gandhi". The Indian has been busy filming several Bollywood films and has had a hard time finding time for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Critics noted that Puri's villain turned out to be colorful, perhaps the best in his acting career.

What's in and out of the movie

Even when working on the first part, Lucas came up with a few bright scenes that were not included in it. For example, they planned to include Chinese villains and a Chinese goodie in honor of 1930s American hero Charlie Chan, a Hawaiian police officer. For some time, the director and producer considered dedicating The Temple of Doom to an entirely Chinese legend ofMonkey King Sun Wu Kong. However, it was not possible to organize full-scale shooting at the Great Wall of China at that time. Therefore, only Chinese characters remained in the picture: Shorty and Shanghai gangsters.

Lucas' idea of a haunted Scottish castle was not included in the script because Spielberg found it too similar to his film Poltergeisit. However, the discussion of this plot prompted the authors to partially borrow the storyline from the classic 1939 painting "Ganga Din", which featured a secret temple of Fate, where a sect of Indian fanatic killers worshiped the death goddess Kali. The dark story in the film was slightly changed, and it became more like a fairy tale, as many critics noted.

Flight to Adventure

Most critics note the dynamic beginning of the picture. The film "Temple of Doom" takes place in 1935. Indiana Jones (Harison Ford)'s business meeting with Chinese gangsters at Shanghai's Obi-Wan bar doesn't go according to plan. After a pointless fight, Jones, bar singer Willie (Kate Capshaw) and a Chinese boy named Shorty (Jonathan Ke Kwan) flee the city. Flying over India, the plane makes an emergency landing in the jungle. The audience also liked the plot, and the introduction of the film by a bright and active boy who helps Indiana in everything and sincerely admires him.

After a little wandering through the jungle, the fugitives stumble upon a small village from which all the children have disappeared. Nearby ownerpalace, took away the sacred stone and drove all the children to work in the mines. Indiana, after listening to local stories and legends, decides to help the residents restore justice. Many viewers noted that the main character in the "Temple of Doom" was more determined, began to talk less and act more.

Adventures in the Palace

Jones and friends head to the palace, where they are well received, treated to exotic dishes. The oriental feast scene made a strong impression on many spectators, especially the famous dish with the brains of a living monkey. At night, an assassination attempt is made on Indiana, and it becomes clear that they have fallen into the lair of adherents of a bloodthirsty cult. Indiana, Willie and Shorty enter a dark dungeon and witness human sacrifice.

These scenes, where the local chief priest Mol Ram, performed by Indian movie star Armish Puri, performed a bloody ritual, are considered by many viewers to be the best in the "Temple of Doom". However, the Indian government strongly opposed the picture, since their country, in their opinion, is shown as barbaric, with monstrous religious rituals. They also did not like the fact that the owner of the palace was titled Maharaja. Therefore, the shooting of the "Indian" scenes had to be moved to Sri Lanka.

Escape

Mol Ram already owns three of the five legendary stones that bring we alth and good luck. And he uses child labor to find the other two. In front of Indiana at the Temple of DoomIt becomes a difficult task: to pick up these stones and free the children. The task is greatly complicated by the fact that the girl and Shorty fall into the hands of villains who are going to sacrifice them to the goddess Kali. The actress herself, like many viewers, noted that her heroine had too many lamentations and screams in these scenes, at the same time very expressive facial expressions. Kate Capeshaw did not like her role, but liked the director, whom she later married.

Despite the fact that Indiana drinks the "blood of Kali", which suppresses the will and induces a trance, he manages to save the children. From the audience got the main character for "naivety" when drinking a poisoned drink. But the scene of the escape on the trolleys was liked by both critics and viewers. For filming, the director used a specially designed camera.

Professional reviews

The picture received the most controversial reviews from professional critics. Attention was drawn to the abundance of scenes of violence and bloody scenes. Frank Marshall wrote that Lucas thinks the second part is the best because it is the darkest. To create a gloomy atmosphere, the scriptwriters turned to the topic of "barbaric" Indian rituals, which not only the Indian government, but also many journalists of conservative views did not like very much. For example, George Will felt that the scene in which the priest rips out the still beating heart is extremist and shocking for an entertaining film. On the other hand, American critic Dave Kehr wrote that the writers tried to scare the audience the way a 10-year-old boyscares her sister with a dead worm.

The popular Christian Science Monitor called "Temple of Doom" repulsive and trivial. However, The Hollywood Reporter considered the film to be quite acceptable. In their review, they wrote that the picture is doomed to commercial success.

Jack Valenti (then director of the Motion Picture Association of America), stated that "Temple of Doom" was a bit harsh for a picture that came with "parents recommended" credits.