Though it's generally considered the least-successful of the original "Indiana Jones" trilogy, "Temple of Doom" - which takes place a year prior to the events of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" - is far closer in quality to its '80s bookends than it is to "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull", Spielberg's horribly disappointing 2008 reboot.

The majority of the criticisms leveled at "Temple of Doom" over the years have focused on three major elements: a) the film's dark, often depressing, atmosphere; b) its undeniably xenophobic overtones; and c) Kate Capshaw's grating, one-note performance as the endlessly-shrieking female love interest. And while all are certainly valid to some extent, those voicing them also tend to forget that film boasts some of the most gleefully imaginative action set pieces of the modern era.  Two words, people: "minecart rollercoaster". I rest my case.  - CE