What’s Aged the Worst?
Indy–Marion chemistry, dated effects and casting, the monkey, Temple of Doom, and creative choices
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:43Read transcript
- One host calls the thin romantic spark between Indy and Marion the movie’s biggest flaw; others defend Karen Allen and interpret Indy as constitutionally more committed to quests than relationships.
- The long-lived working title Indiana Smith is ridiculed, and Karen Allen’s frustration with a much longer Marion backstory is weighed against Kasdan’s agreement that stripping it down improved the movie. — Bill Simmons
- The ghosts and some optical effects look rough, while the red-line travel map is defended as efficient. — Bill Simmons
- The panel questions Ronald Lacey’s Toht and Paul Freeman’s Belloq as underpowered villain casting, while also noting Toht’s visual menace and the story’s intent to make Nazis foolish.
- The Nazi-aligned monkey is hated as an irritating comic animal whose espionage logic makes little sense. — Bill Simmons
- Temple of Doom is criticized for violence, slapstick, tonal loss, and helping trigger PG-13, though Last Crusade later recovers the tone. — Bill Simmons
- Kael’s refusal to admire the achievement and a cut scene presenting Indy as more of a playboy are debated as missed or defensible choices. — Bill Simmons