Is there a better movie poster artist out there than Drew Struzan? He’s responsible for some of the most iconic and recognizable images in cinematic history, and his work is one of the reasons fans may choose to pick up the new 4K releases of the Indiana Jones films, which are available individually for the first time ever. Each film has Struzan’s incredibly art showcased front and center, which pop beautifully on top of the 4K black cases. I’ll touch on each of the films, as well as their visual upgrading, before getting into reasons why you should pick these up, or why you should instead pick up the previously released 4K box set.
Raiders of the Lost Ark came out 40 years ago this year, and while this 4K upgrade doesn’t take away the filmic beauty that the slight grainy-at-times look provides, the film is truly breathtaking in 4K, and lives in a new world with its Dolby Vision boost. Yes, the 2160p upgrade looks fantastic, so if you don’t have access to Dolby Vision don’t fret, as you’re still going to be watching an absolutely gorgeous film. There are some moments of soft focus; however, that’s just a part of the film itself, and while it can sometimes stand out a bit more the sharper and cleaner the images get moving forward, that’s just the price we pay and it’s a minimal one, as these scenes are few and far between.
When it comes to Dolby Vision you’ll get to enjoy much richer colours and they really bring the film forward from its already impressive Blu-ray remaster. This is the type of visuals one may expect when shelling out for a 4K upgrade to a film they already own, so be rest assured that Paramount has made it worth your while to do so. For a film full of bright and dark moments, having deep blacks and whites that can sometimes have you squinting is perfection and should have you excited if you’re an Indy fan. If you don’t yet have the ability to watch films with Dolby Vision, these 4K releases are reason enough to do so.
While Raiders received the full frame-by-frame restoration back in 2012 for its Blu-ray remaster, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, as well as The Last Crusade both received remasters, but not as intensive. With that said, just like Raiders, this 2160p resolution and Dolby Vision upgrade has done wonders for these two movies. There’s so much more that visually pops here, with Temple of Doom really shining in the details area, showcasing some great set pieces that really get their due with the clean look that comes with this new resolution. Like its counterparts, Temple of Doom has some grainy moments, but they’re just something that adds to the nostalgic feel of the film and never hinder it visually.
Both movies also excel when viewed in Dolby Vision, showcasing just gorgeous colours from all spectrums of the rainbow in vibrant fashion, incredible whites and blacks that make some of the darker scenes in the films even better (especially the scenes found within the temple in Temple of Doom) with the richness added to them. So even though the Blu-ray restorations looked great, if you were hoping for more when it came to The Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade you’re sure to find it here in this release.
That brings us lastly to Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull, which is the most recent iteration of the character, returning to the big screen almost 20 years after his last adventure. Being the more recent of the films, Crystal Skull had the least fixing up to do; however, that doesn’t take away from the fact that it looks phenomenal here in magnificent 4K. The 2160p visuals look sharp, and while the more modern of the Indy films, Spielberg kept the same visual look that made the earlier films so appealing and fitting for the genre, so it fits right in with its decades older counterparts. As has been said before with the earlier films, Crystal Skull shines brightest when viewed in Dolby Vision, once again showcasing the film beautifully and the best way it can be viewed.
What’s also great about the Indiana Jones franchise is that lots of people have their own favourites, and there’s no real wrong answer. Okay, I enjoy Crystal Skull, but that one isn’t going to be anyone’s favourite; however, the original trilogy sees each film shine in their own unique way. While I truly enjoy Temple of Doom, and Raiders is something just…masterful…The Last Crusade just speaks to me in a way I can’t fully describe. Raiders is the kind of movie I watch and go, “Man, I want to be that guy!” because Indy is just a badass adventurer! But the chemistry and back and forth between Harrison Ford and Sean Connery in The Last Crusade is something special, and I love every minute of it. I don’t think I can watch that movie without a smile plastered across my face from start to finish. I’m not sure it can knock Raiders out of top slot, but it’ll always put up a fight!
It was great to revisit this franchise and getting to see it upgraded so magnificently is something special. So, the question is should you pick up these individual 4K releases, or should you opt for the 4K Indiana Jones Collection? It mainly comes down to special features, as these 4K discs don’t have any, while the Indiana Jones 4K Collection includes the Blu-rays, which is where all the special features are found. If you don’t care about special features, then you’re fine picking these up. If you prefer the individual cases over the box set format, then these are a win also. Heck, if you just love Struzan’s art and want these for that aspect, who could argue? Whichever options you choose in the end, these films are 4K works of art that are worth traversing the globe to collect, so they can be properly displayed and treasured in your collection forever.
4K Blu-ray Video and Audio Review
Since the majority of the review above was about superb video quality of these 4K releases, I’ll take this time to talk about the audio here, which is top tier stuff, and on par with its spectacular picture counterpart. The entire series is presented in Dolby Atmos, which allows for an incredibly immersive viewing experience. There are some absolutely fantastic moments that are brought to life with this audio mix, bringing the audience in alongside Dr. Jones as he tries to outrun a giant boulder or avoid being shot by Nazis, Russians or random arrows.
The score by John Williams in each of the films also shines through beautifully, truly capturing the epic scope of these adventures Indy embarks on and adding to the suspense and heroism showcased throughout. Not only is this is the best each film has ever looked when it comes to the home viewing experience, but this is also the best they’ve ever sounded. Strap yourself in and prepare for an incredibly fun ride.
Special Features:
As mentioned prior, the Indiana Jones 4K Collection box set or the previously released Blu-ray discs are where you’ll find the legacy special features, as these 4K releases are bare bones on that front. Each disc does come with a digital copy of the movie.
Paramount Home Entertainment presents the 4K releases of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull. Directed by: Steven Spielberg. Starring: Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Alison Doody, John Rhys-Davies, Julian Glover, River Phoenix, Denholm Elliott, Karen Allen, Shia LaBeouf, Jim Broadbent, John Hurt, Ray Winstone, Cate Blanchett, Paul Freeman, Alfred Molina, Ronald Lacey, Kate Capshaw, Jonathan Ke Quan, Amrish Puri. Running time: Raiders of the Lost Ark: 115 Minutes; Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: 118 Minutes; Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: 127 Minutes; Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull: 122 Minutes. Rating: 14A/PG. Released on 4K Blu-ray: June 6, 2023.
