Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: DVD
Format: NTSC
Sales Rank: 221824
Theatrical Release Date: May 23, 1984
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
It’s hard to imagine that a film with worldwide box office receipts topping $300 million worldwide could be labeled a disappointment, but some moviegoers considered Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, the second installment in Steven Spielberg and George Lucas’ 1980s adventure trilogy, to be just that. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad effort; any collaboration between these two cinema giants (Spielberg directed, while Lucas provided the story and was executive producer) is bound to have more than its share of terrific moments, and Temple of Doom is no exception. But in exchanging the very real threat of Nazi Germany for the cartoonish Thuggee cult, it loses some of the heft of its predecessor (Raiders of the Lost Ark); on the other hand, it’s also the darkest and most disturbing of the three films, what with multiple scenes of children enslaved, a heart pulled out of a man’s chest, and the immolation of a sacrificial victim, which makes it less fun than either Raiders or The Last Crusade, notwithstanding a couple of riotous chase scenes and impressively grand sets. Many fans were also less than thrilled with the new love interest, a spoiled, querulous nightclub singer portrayed by Kate Capshaw, but a cute kid sidekick ('Short Round,' played by Ke Huy Quan) and, of course, the ever-reliable Harrison Ford as the cynical-but-swashbuckling hero more than make up for that character’s shortcomings.
A six-minute introduction by Lucas and Spielberg is the prime special feature, with both men candidly addressing the film’s good and bad points (Lucas points out that the second Star Wars film, The Empire Strikes Back, was also the darkest of the original three; as for Spielberg, the fact that the leading lady would soon become his wife was the best part of the whole trip). Also good are 'The Creepy Crawlies,' a mini-doc about the thousands of snakes, bugs, rats and other scary critters that populate the trilogy, and 'Travels with Indy,' a look at some of the films’ cool locations. Storyboards and a photo gallery are included as well. --Sam Graham
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - A Dark Indy Adventure
A prequel to RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM follows Indiana from China and through India as he attempts to get back to civilization. After being double-crossed by Chinese gangster, Lao Che (Roy Chiao) in a nightclub, Indiana (Harrison Ford), nightclub singer Willie Scott (Kate Capshaw), and young sidekick Short Round (Jonathan Ke Quan) find themselves on the run and flying over India. Left to die in a crashing plane, the trio escapes and eventually find themselves in a small Indian village. The crops are dying and the people are weeping in mourning. The village leader tells the visitors that the reason for their trouble is because the ancient cult of Thuggee has been revived. The Thuggees have stolen the village's Shiva lingam, a stone that Indiana comes to believe might be one of the Shankara stones, and have kidnapped all of their children. The village elder claims that the Thuggees are headquartered not far away in Pankot Palace. He believes that Indiana Jones and his friends have been sent from some higher power to help them. The village elders agree to take Indy and his friends to Delhi, but only if they first go to Pankot Palace. Indy agrees, more out of curiosity and the chance for "fortune and glory" than anything else. A disgusting meal, a horrible death, and a mine car chase all follow.
Most viewers find INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF JONES their least favorite Indiana Jones movie. That's not to say that ToD is a bad movie because it's ... Read More
Rating:  - A Tomb Raider Becomes A Hero
I'm still surprised by the hate this film receives. Even by Director Spielberg himself. I've always considered Temple Of Doom the second best Indiana Jones film. In fact I've always felt the series always lost a little bit of steam with each film. But even with such an annoying character like Willie Scott (Played by Cate Kapshaw) I've always felt Temple Of Doom did a brilliant job showing Indiana Jones as a character turn from tomb raiding archaeologist, into the great hero we saw in Raiders Of The Lost Ark. I'm also surprised by how many people still don't realize that Temple Of Doom is a prequel. Anyways...
During the first half of the film, Indy talks about "fortune and glory" as his reason for his adventures. As we already know from Raiders, he didn't find the Ark, then risk his life getting it back from the Nazi's for just "fortune and glory". He didn't have to do what he did in Raiders. But he did it because he had the courage, and it was the right thing to do. In Temple Of Doom, Indy seems more rugged towards the other characters. He seems to always be in "If you can't help me, don't talk to me" type of mood. Like a more savvy Humphrey Bogart from *The Treasure of the Sierra Madre* (Which was one of the main inspirations for Raiders)
By the end of the film though, he realizes the greatest thing was not finding the treasure or fortune. But replacing balance and happiness to a small Hindu town. Maybe thats why many people were turned off upon it's initial release; The ... Read More
Rating: - The Darkest Indiana Jones Adventure!!!
I like that The Temple of Doom is dark, gloomy, depressing, and etc. Somehow, this takes place before the original. Indy, Willie, and Short Round must retrieve a sacred stone that's been stolen from a village, and must save the children that have been stolen. They deal with an evil cult and sacrifices people and make people drink black blood to become on of them! I also love the scene at Pankot Palace when everyone is eating Snake Surprise, Beetles, Eyeball Soup, and Chilled Monkey Brains! If you love Indy and dark plots, you'll love INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM!!!
Rating: - Actually, I'd give ****1/2 stars.
Great movie. I don't why but this is a prequel for some reason. It's not like Star Wars, It is not a series of prequels it's just a one movie deal. It takes place in 1935, one year before the first one took place. Well, I knew this wouldn't be as good as Raiders of the Lost Ark, but that's not to say that it's bad, it's amazing. I heard reviews saying it was racist but no, it's not. It is a good sequel or prequel, so see Raiders and see this any time soon.
Rating:  - Racist
I saw this when it came out (I was a young adult.) As someone from a hindu family (I am an atheist), I was revolted by the overt insulting nature of this film towards Indians and Hindus.
In the first movie, they treated the whole story behind the arc with respect. Not so with Hinduism.
Utter drivel.
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