Saturday, January 29, 2011

Guerry- Temple of Doom


Jack Sparrow of the archaeological world, Indiana Jones takes what he can and gives nothing back. He desires for nothing more than "fortune and glory"; the noblest of motives in the eyes of the corrupt. The servant of one and the servant of none, Indy places immediate fiscal satisfaction and aspirations for celebrity status above all. For him, wrestling with his conscience involves first determining if he can command an appearance fee. It takes the booby trap artist from The Goonies and a woman more annoying than a Stage 5 mosquito, combined with the sketchiest bridge in cinematic history to convince him a lifestyle change is necessary.

On the bridge, Indy finally puts his faith in that oversized, finger-painted piece of gravel he went to so much trouble retrieving. The results are effective and immediate. He satisfies the sweet-toothed crocodiles under the bridge, using the stones to cast down brown sugar heathens left and right. He enters the desolate waste of space that is his soul, finds himself disgusted, and makes a choice. Deciding then to Change, he goes from ignorant Conservative to a darker flavor of Liberal freedom. His actions center now on the welfare of the people, rather than himself. Choosing to help the poor people of the village by not selling the holy stones, he is allowed to use the power invested in them to save himself and his friends.

Pre-bridge, Indy was the apotheosis of selfishness. His actions were devoted to self-promotion and gratification. Post-bridge, Indy changes into a morally conscious member of society. The change is something new, yet not completely unwelcome for him.

1 comment:

  1. Your opening is quite amusing. He does enter the next stage of the journey, but he backslides in the opening of Raiders.

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