Cast and Crew Information

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones
Sean Connery as Henry Jones
Alison Doody as Elsa Schneider
Denholm Elliott as Marcus Brody
John Rhys-Davies as Sallah
Julian Glover as Walter Donovan
River Phoenix as young Indiana Jones

Written by George Lucas, Menno Meyjes, and Jeffrey Boam
Directed by Steven Spielberg

High Point

The father/son interactions. It's nice to see how someone grows up to be such an independent and creative action hero.

Low Point

The horrible doll used in the tank destruction scene, though I do give them a lot of credit for not having the tank blow up.

The Scores

This movie brings us back to the structure and feel of the original. We've got our Nazis, the Christian mythology, the serial structure of the story, Sallah, and Marcus Brody all in place. This wouldn't help it out in this category, if not for the introduction of Dr. Jones Sr., which gave us a very different dynamic. I give it 4 out of 6.

The effects, though improved, still look like obvious effects when compositing is used. I give it 4 out of 6.

The story is well told, and returns to the old serial structure that set the original so far apart from its contemporaries. The action scenes are all well motivated within the story, as well. I give it 5 out of 6.

The acting was well done by most, with only a few off moments from Doody. I give it 5 out of 6.

The production once again excels. From simple choices, such as directing the camera at Indy's fedora instead of his face when he learns his father is missing, to the larger setup of directing the action sequences, the entire team put this together very well. Slocombe, Khan, and Williams again lend excellent support to the production. I give it 6 out of 6.

The emotional response is similarly strong, with fun and emotional concerns mixed together quite well. I give it 6 out of 6.

Overall, it's a great action movie, and the best of the trilogy. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade receives 35 out of 42.