Most movie buffs would consider the Indiana Jones Franchise an essential watch for everyone. While the franchise is undeniably brimming with heart-filled adventure and action, the movies aren't perfect. The films have shown their age quite a bit over the years.
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas' collaborative passion project came in the form of a leather jacket-wearing archeologist/anthropologist who knows how to use a whip well. Indiana Jones and his respective films have been well-loved by many for decades. It's hard to remember faults in the franchise (other than maybe its most recent release), but a rewatch might be needed to notice the aspects that have slightly damaged its legacy.
10 Even Steven Spielberg Didn't Care For The Temple Of Doom
Everyone has a favorite Indiana Jones film, but for Steven Spielberg, his least favorite in the franchise he helped create is The Temple of Doom. Most fans would probably agree with his decision (not considering The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull).
However, it's a fair opinion considering how much different Temple of Doom feels from the other films in the franchise. The film is much darker in tone than the others, with moments of sacrifice, child slavery, and questionable racial stereotypes. It isn't as fun or lighthearted and feels somewhat disconnected.
9 The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull Almost Ruined The Entire Franchise
Temple of Doom aside, every Indiana Jones fan and casual viewer can agree that The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is the most disappointing film of the franchise. Some wish they could forget it existed. There's hope that the fifth film will undo the alien-ridden fourth movie's mistake.
From subpar plot points to overwhelmingly CGI action sequences, the film struggled to feel like its more exciting predecessors. The unfulfilling conclusion involving the forced use of extraterrestrial aliens was the last nail in the coffin for the worst Indiana Jones addition.
8 Willie Is A Stereotypical Damsel In Distress
Whether Willie's characterization is the fault of poor character development or Spielberg's direction is unclear, but Willie Scott in The Temple of Doom is one of Indy's most frustrating companions. Her involvement in the film is marginalized to have her constant complaining and being the damsel in distress.
Willie seemed like a step-down in character development compared to the tenacious Marion Ravenwood. Her failure to be of any help begs the question of why they went with the decision to create a stereotypical helpless female partner for Jones.
7 Indy Is Almost Always The White Savior
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Unfortunately for most cinema before the 2010s (and somewhat after), Hollywood failed to escape the "white savior" trope. While Indiana Jones is a complex and awesome character, he seems to always be the white savior in each of the films.
Though Indy's never directly rude to the people native to whatever country he finds himself in, there's an odd dynamic of them being shown as helpless without him. From India to Nepal, crowds of citizens are always depicted as needy and incapable of solving their archeological crises.
6 There Was Race Facing In Raiders Of The Lost Ark
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It's almost hard to believe there'd be race facing in such a culturally prominent film, but even Indiana Jones isn't innocent of including the outdated act. In Raiders of the Lost Ark, one of the Nepalese henchmen was played by a Caucasian British stuntman named Malcolm Weaver.
The miscasting isn't the worse part of the situation as they went as far as to put prosthetic makeup on the actor to make him present as having Asian features. It's a huge misstep for Spielberg, Lucas, and their team to even consider altering Weaver's facial features, instead of hiring an Asian stuntman.
5 Indy's No Different From A Tomb Raider
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Though Indiana Jones takes place during the 40s, there were undoubtedly organized archeological digs that wouldn't damage the site or artifacts at the time. For someone who prides himself on the preservation of ancient artifacts, audiences might question why Indy's constantly leaving a mess of damage in his wake.
In addition to causing chaos (albeit usually because he set off a trap), Indy's "recovering" artifacts to put in a museum. In recent years when countries have requested to have their stolen history returned, Indy's actions feel somewhat pretentious and disrespectful.
4 The Temple Of Doom Feels Very Xenophobic
The Temple of Doom's issues doesn't stop at the plot issues or tonal shift, the entire film has an aura of major cultural misunderstanding. Indy heads into an Indian village where the children have been stolen by a local cult that performs human sacrifices for Kali.
The inclusion of Kali is questionable at best when the writers could have done quick research into actual Hindu beliefs. Then, contrary to the fact that India is mostly vegetarian, the dinner that Indy and his crew are served at the palace is "exotic" plates of monkey brains right out of the head, and eyeball soup.
3 Indy's Son Is A Forgettable Character
Mutt Williams, portrayed by Shia LaBeouf is the son of Indy and Marion Ravenwood. While the filmmakers probably had high hopes for the young character to helm the role of Indy in later years, he struggles to hold a candle to his charming father and mother.
It's heartwarming to know that Indy got the chance to meet his son, but fans wonder about the necessity of this character. Aside from rumors that Harrison Ford and LaBeouf didn't get along behind the scenes, Mutt Williams serves little purpose in the fourth chapter.
2 The Melting Faces Are Downright Silly
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The Raiders of the Lost Ark is easily the best film in the franchise, but its special effects have aged quite a bit since its release. The most obvious example comes toward the end of the film when the Nazis foolishly opened the Ark of the Covenant. Major Arnold Toht was one of the few to have his face melt off the bone.
Filmmakers achieved the effect by using a wax model being heated to imitate the illusion. The effects might have been groundbreaking at the time, but unfortunately, it's hard not to laugh at what's very obviously a wax figure melting onto the costumes.
1 Ke Huy Quan Deserves Better
In Ke Huy Quan's recent interviews while promoting Everything Everywhere All At Once, he mentioned how Indiana Jones was both a blessing and damaging to his career. His character, Short Round was introduced in The Temple of Doom.
He struggled, however, to find work outside of Indiana Jones and The Goonies that wouldn't make him the butt of the joke yet again. While his character is one of the better aspects of the film for his comedic relief, the role made Huy Quan typecast. Fortunately, Ke Huy has found a rebirth of his career with more dignified characters.