‘Indiana Jones: 4-Movie Collection’ 4K UHD Blu-ray Review – Iconic Franchise Gets Mind-Blowing Upgrade In Essential Set

The movie critique portion of this review was written by my colleague Ben Belcher.

For 40 years Dr. Indiana Jones has captured the hearts and minds of young people and adults alike with his high energy escapades through exotic locales. We’re four films in with the fifth and perhaps final installment of the franchise with lead man Harrison Ford fast approaching. These films all have iconic moments. At least some part of each film has found its way into the pop culture soup we all partake in. From TV shows like Family Guy and Community to video games like the Uncharted franchise, it’s undeniable the impact that Indiana Jones has had on pop culture. I sat down recently and rewatched all of these movies both in prep for the new 4K release and the new film.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

The one that started it all. The first of many outings for Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, Raiders establishes the character of Indiana Jones; who he is, what he’s about, and most importantly why.

The opening sequence in the South American temple is iconic to say the very least. We see immediately that this will be a fun, high-stakes, treasure-hunting adventure, the antagonist, a treasure hunter for profit named Belloq, is established, and then we’re able to get right to the meat and potatoes of the story in the very next scene. US Army Intelligence has gained information that the Germans are searching for the legendary Ark of the Covenant, and they need Dr. Jones to find it first.

The next two hours are non-stop action and mystery. From crazy bar fights and kidnappings, to crypts filled with snakes, to the unleashed wrath of God, there’s nothing dull about watching Indy and his love interest Marion take down Belloq and some Nazis.

Temple of Doom (1984)

As a kid this was my favorite of the original three films, probably because of Short Round, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve drifted away from Temple. Arguably this film has aged the least well of the original three, but it is still an exciting romp through ancient ruins with some exceptionally silly side-characters.

The second film in the series is actually set a year before the first, in 1935, in Asia. Starting with an action-packed escape from Club Obi Wan in China, our hero and his two sidekicks crash land a plane in a remote village in India where the plot takes off running. Indy and company have to recover a sacred stone that has been taken by a young new Maharajah and his evil shaman to prevent an ancient ritual from taking place before it’s too late.

This is a decidedly darker film than its predecessor as well, despite having much more comedic characters throughout. Child slaves, dismemberment, crazy dark rituals, it’s all here. Not to mention the famous, “Kalima!” scene. Indy’s heroic heart is on full display by the end when he, singer Willie, and young aid Short Round are all taking down the evil shaman and his henchmen.

The love interest of this film, Willie, is in stark contrast to Marion from the first film. She is much less prepared for the world of treasure hunting/archeology and is very vocal of her dislikes throughout the adventure. I like that they did something different, even if it wasn’t necessarily the decision I’d have made. Short Round is fun and his constant jabs at Indy add levity to some very tense situations.

The Last Crusade (1989)

What was originally planned to be the final Indiana Jones film, Last Crusade, tries to bookend a trilogy of adventure films with one last jaunt through ancient temples. This is, and has been, my favorite film in the franchise for over 15 years. It’s fantastic.

The opening sequences show us young Indy and the origins of his heroic treasure hunting and preservation, as well as his fear of snakes, before introducing us to his father. We then cut to the film’s present day, 1938, where Indy is narrowly able to escape with the same precious artifact from the flashback opening.

Just like the previous films, Last Crusade wastes no time getting to where it wants to go: the action. From crypts under Venetian libraries, to arid deserts, to quite possibly some of the most elaborate ruins sets ever designed, you’re on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Sean Connery and Harrison Ford have great chemistry as father and son, and the way their relationship builds over the course of the film is incredibly well executed. Rather than have the typical romantic lead/damsel-in-distress character, this film flips it on its head and fills that role with Indy’s kidnapped father and it works really well.

Indy and friends ride off into the sunset at the end as if to say goodbye, but there would be more adventures to come… eventually.

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

At last we come to the fourth, and most divisive, film in the series. Set in 1957 during the Cold War, Jones finds himself at odds with Dr. Irina Spalko and the Russians. They hope to use an ancient artifact called the crystal skull to subjugate the entire world! There are crazy fights, ancient ruins, and ridiculous villains from start to finish, so all of the typical Indy shenanigans can be checked off the list.

This film is chalk-full of references and homages to the previous three. From Indy’s classic look, the opening sequence in the Military Intelligence sight from Raiders, and even the reappearance of Marion Ravenwood. After a while it does feel like Kingdom is trying a little too hard to legitimize itself. “I promise I’m a real Indiana Jones movie. Look, see!”

There is also a marked increase in the use of CGI. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing when used well, and there are several moments where it is. The issue arises when it is used constantly and to do things you could do in more interesting ways without it.

Overall, while it is still a fun adventure with our old pal Indy, Kingdom plays less like a film and more like a Let’s Play of a short Indiana Jones video game. At the end we’re given the idea that Indy’s long-forgotten son, Mutt, will take up the mantle and become the new Indiana Jones, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

I love Indiana Jones. The character is hilarious and charismatic and roguish, and it’s always a treat to see him on his adventures. Even if they aren’t all absolutely spectacular, each film brings something unique and different to the character. If you don’t believe me, check them out for yourself.

Video Quality

First things first, all four films in the Indiana Jones: 4-Movie Collection have been newly remastered from 4K scans of the original camera negative and serve as a significant step up from their previous Blu-Ray releases. The previous releases were pleasing in their day to various degrees, but Paramount completely knocks the video portion of the set out of the park this time around with these new 4K UHD Blu-Rays. These new releases arrive with a stellar 2160p/Dolby Vision transfer that rank among the most pleasing committed to the format. In an effort to not duplicate descriptions, I will largely attempt to group the films together while pointing out noticeable differences. 

As the series progresses, the video quality gets even stronger, but the initial installment offers what may be the most radical quality difference between the original Blu-Ray and the 4K UHD. The filmic quality is preserved for all the movies in the set with natural grain that yields an eye-popping amount of detail. There does not appear to be even a hint of artificial sharpening with detailed textures coming through in all of the expected places such as costumes and the various settings such as the rocky, mossy walls of caves and crypts. If you ever go back to the Blu-rays, the film will look lifeless in comparison to the almost three dimensional production design on display. Skin tones also look nice and natural throughout with an impressive amount of detail on display on the performers faces from the fresh-faced Harrison Ford of Raiders to the aged face in Crystal Skull. 

The Dolby Vision provides colors that pop off the screen with a wondrous vibrancy that make this set a real visual treat. This set brings a tear to your eyes from the moment you set eyes upon the gold statue in Raiders. Every film in this set is filled with vibrant interiors and vivid colors when it comes to the costumes and production design. The density that some of these colors exude in the lush forestry or even in the classroom is unbelievable. Black levels are incredibly deep without giving way to any unwanted crush. With as many low-light situations as Indy finds himself in, this is critically important. Likewise, the white levels hold together beautifully with not even an ounce of blooming at any point. There is no hint of compression artifacts, banding or other digital anomalies to be found. This transfer allows a lot of texture and depth to shine through in the production design. I would be comfortable labeling these new 4K UHD Blu-Rays as cinematic perfection. 

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray set offers a slick upgrade in the form of an impressive Dolby Atmos presentation that handles the action incredibly well. This track is not just impressive because it is loud or busy, what truly impresses is the nuance that is employed in the sound design. Directionality of sound is never an issue with this film series, and dialogue is reproduced with supreme clarity. The iconic soaring score from John Williams fills the room in a way that never fails to stir something deep inside of you. The track offers expert level immersion into the various lands so that even the subtlest elements are represented. The Atmos presentation takes full advantage of the expanded channel allotment. Height channels greatly impress as arrows soar across the screen, but one of the most impressive moments may be the new life given to the boulder sequence in Raiders. It is not just the obvious aspects that impress; weather sounds including thunder and crashing ocean waves in The Last Crusade brings a fully realized world to your living room. All of the sounds are balanced well during the action sequences from the gunfire to the roar of the vehicles – and even the squealing of screaming monkeys. The many set pieces and other smaller kinetic moments provide an incredible amount of activity in the low end. The concluding film of this set especially allows you to marvel at the sonic assault on display. Having your overhead channels deliver the awe-inspiring score from above does an amazing job of transporting you to this world. The audio presentation is a wonderful experience from start to finish. 

Special Features

Raiders of the Lost Ark

• Trailers: This disc provides the Teaser Trailer (1:03), Theatrical Trailer (2:33) and Re-Issue Trailer (1:45). 

The Temple of Doom

• Trailers: This disc provides the Teaser Trailer (1:00) and the Theatrical Trailer (1:26).

The Last Crusade

• Trailers: This disc provides the Teaser Trailer (1:28) and the Theatrical Trailer (2:13).

The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

• Trailers: This disc provides the Theatrical Trailer 2 (1:51), Theatrical Trailer 3 (1:55) and Theatrical Trailer 4 (1:40). No Theatrical Trailer 1 for some reason. 

Bonus Disc

• On Set with Raiders of the Lost Ark

• • From Jungle to Desert: A 30-minute vintage piece in which Spielberg takes you through the location scouting process, the making of various scenes, on-set interviews with the cast and crew, deleted scenes, bloopers, outtakes and more. It is fun to feel like you are hanging out on the set of this film. 

• • From Adventure to Legend: A 28-minute piece which takes a look at some of the set construction, preparations for shooting, storyboard examinations and more. This piece takes a closer look at key scenes including the snake sequence, the truck chase and more. It is amazing to see how well Spielberg was able to prepare the crew for what needed to be accomplished. There is also a fun look at the work of composer John Williams. 

• Making The Films

• • The Making of Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981): A 58-minute piece which dives deep into the creation of the film with Spielberg, George Lucas and various other figures from conception, casting, the character traits, set design, working on location, the special effects and so much more. Even if some of the information repeats from the previous supplement, there is a ton of new information in here that should satisfy die hard fans. 

• • The Making of Raiders of the Lost Ark: A 51-minute retrospective which dives deeper into the creation of the film from the perspective of “modern” times with many of the same participants. While once again there is some overlap of information, the participants discuss various aspects of the film including naming our hero, financing the film, the cinematography, injuries sustained on set and more. 

• • The Making of The Temple of Doom: A 41-minute featurette that delves into the creation of the second film including ideas ported over from the first film, the darker edge of this entry, shooting in Sri Lanka, casting new characters, working with the wildlife on set, favorite scenes, filming absences, the controversy surrounding the movie’s rating and more fun anecdotes. This is an information-packed piece that is a blast to delve into for fans. 

• • The Making of The Last Crusade: A 35-minute piece which explores the production of the third movie in the series. The key creative figures discuss the storyline, the father-son dynamic, establishing character lore, new and returning characters, shooting on location, old school filming techniques and much more. 

• • The Making of The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: A 29-minute featurette which discusses the desire for a fourth entry, how this plot was developed, tying in themes from real-life events, Ford inhabiting the character again after all of these years, the secrecy of the plot, casting the lead villain, incorporating Shia LaBeouf into the narrative and more. 

• Behind The Scenes: 

• • The Stunts of Indiana Jones: An 11-minute look at the major stunt pieces from the first three films including the inspirations, the execution, the increasing difficulty and more. 

• • The Sound of Indiana Jones: A 13-minute piece which examines the creation of sound effects from the franchise including the whip crack, the rolling boulder, gunfire, the mine carts and many more iconic moments. 

• • The Music of Indiana Jones: A 12-minute discussion with Spielberg, Lucas and composer John Williams that takes a closer look at the iconic score along with specific music for each film. It is always great to see how some of the most recognizable music ever created was conjured up. 

• • The Light and Magic of Indiana Jones: A 12-minute look at the special effects throughout the original trilogy including the face-melting sequence, the mine cars, the invisible bridge and more iconic moments. 

• • Raiders – The Melting Face!: An 8-minute deeper dive into one of the most memorable sequences of the entire franchise. 

• • Indiana Jones and the Creepy Crawlies: A 12-minute featurette that explores the snakes, bugs, rats and more that make your skin crawl in the original trilogy. This comes with an optional pop-up trivia feature that further reveals information about the logistics of working with these creatures. 

• • Travel with Indiana Jones – Locations: A 10-minute tour of the locations we visit throughout these four films. This once again features an optional pop-up trivia feature. 

• • Indy’s Women – The American Film Institute: A 9-minute discussion with Karen Allen, Kate Capshaw, and Alison Doody conducted around 2003 for the original DVD trilogy in which the trio discuss their respective characters with AFI’s Jean Firstenberg. Stick around to the end for a nice reunion. 

• • Indy’s Friends and Enemies: A 10-minute exploration of the key side characters of this universe from the women in his life to the various friends and foes he meets along the way. 

• • Iconic Props: A 10-minute piece on some of the key props from the series with a focus on Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. 

• • The Effects of Indy: A nearly 23-minute featurette which gives more detail into crafting the visual effects for Crystal Skull. 

• • Adventures In Post Production: A 13-minute examination of the editing, sound design, scoring and more in the latest Indy film. 

Final Thoughts

The Indiana Jones franchise is one of the most consistently entertaining series of films that audiences have ever had the pleasure of consuming. There are some definite missteps, but there is something special about this iconic character that makes the adventures he gets into the type of fun that will have you grinning from ear to ear. Paramount Home Entertainment has done the world a favor by releasing this series on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, and the results could not be better. The A/V presentation of these four discs is out of this world, and the legacy special features that are ported over will give you a fantastic amount of insight into the creation of these beloved films. If you are a fan of these movies, you owe it to yourself to own these movies in a format that gives a whole new life to them. This set ranks among the strongest for classic films on 4K UHD Blu-Ray. Essential 

Indiana Jones: 4-Movie Collection is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray and Digital. 

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Paramount Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this set free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.