Today, I’m asking you what is your all-time favorite Harrison Ford film.
Pop Culture Theme Time is a feature where I put a question to you to see what you think about a particular theme. I might later revisit the theme for a future Drawing Crazy Patterns or Top Five.
With the latest (last?) Indiana Jones film about to debut, I thought it’d be a fascinating challenge to see what you all think is your favorite Harrison Ford movie (and by “Harrison Ford movie,” I mean any movie that Harrison Ford starred in, whether he was the main lead or not. Basically, any movie featuring Ford in a role bigger than a cameo). We all get it, the guy has been in a TON of amazing movies. I absolutely ADORE The Fugitive, and I think it’s likely not even a strong contender for the top spot, that’s how good this guy’s films are.
I won’t bother with honorable mentions, as we all know what they are, but I am going to go with Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s just such a thrilling combination of wit, adventure and characterization. Indiana Jones is such a great character, as is Marion Ravenwood.
Okay, so that’s my pick. What’s yours?
Also, feel free to suggest future Pop Culture Theme Time topics to me at my new, much shorter e-mail, brian@poprefs.com!
Star Wars/A New Hope
The Empire Strikes Back. The original Star Wars (or, if you prefer, A New Hope) still holds up really well, but Empire has a little more original action and depth.
Speaking as a Jewish Gen-Xer, it has to be “The Frisco Kid”
Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.
And thanks for referring to Raiders by its original title!
Raiders of the Lost Ark from opening moments greatest movie ever.
Yeah, can’t really top Raiders of the Lost Ark. And having lived and breathed Star Wars as a child its tough to imagine I’d ever vote for anything over the space epic.
Brian, we could really use a “When we first met” to determine the film that first used the Raiders map scene to show travel. Its a great moment knowing where the scene takes place without wasting time any of the audience’s time.
Air Force One.
I love ROTLA an TESB so badly for so many reasons that I am biased, so I rule them out and say Frantic, where he goes full Jimmy Stewart. It was a total surprise to me when I first whatched it at the time. (Witness and Working Girl were close calls)
I’m going to go with an odd choice and say Regarding Henry. It’s not a great movie, but Ford does such a good job in his change from a cynical jerk (which, you know, he’s very good at) to gentle and confused man relearning his life that it really shows that he’s an actor with a good range but has been somewhat typecast.