10 Reasons Why Indiana Jones 4 Isn’t All That Bad
3. The Motorcycle Chase
Every Indiana Jones film needs a chase scene, whether its with trucks, through crowded streets, down mine shafts or on motorbikes. You could argue that the chase scene in Crystal Skull is essentially one big lift from Last Crusade, but it is by far and away the best set-piece in the entire film, demonstrating that some of Spielbergs wit is still intact.
What makes the chase so enjoyable is not the individual stunts per se, though the section where Mutt and Indy ride and slide through the library is pretty good. Its all the little period touches which give the film a better grounding in a time and place, and provide for a few good gags. These range from the jocks and greasers fighting to Shake, Rattle and Roll in the diner to the Russian agents trying to fight off a bunch of left-wing, pro-communist protestors. Theres nothing quite as witty as the sword vs. gun routine in the first film, but it still cuts the mustard as a decent action scene.