"Raiders of the Lost Ark" is what excitement is all about. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film is a great adventure tale made in the tradition of those old Saturday matinee serials. Harrison Ford put on the fedora for the first of three appearances as Indiana Jones, the archaeologist who has taken us on three great adventures. Here, Dr. Jones goes after the mystical Ark of the Covenant. The action scenes and special effects are spectacular. The film plays like a rollercoaster ride and there's plenty of on-the-edge-of-your-seat excitement. Karen Allen, who plays Dr. Jones' love interest Marion, is a great heroine (easily the best of the series). The villains include a French archaelogist (Paul Freeman), who's kind of Dr. Jones' counterpart; and some really nasty Nazis. This movie is as good as it gets. Great direction by Spielberg, who collaborated with "Star Wars" creator (and good friend) George Lucas to create a brilliant movie series. The second movie "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" followed in 1984, and that was followed by the third movie "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" in 1989. All three movies are excellent, but "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is the best.
**** (out of four)
**** (out of four)