Glen Powell Declared Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade the Greatest Film Ever Made: ‘It’s Perfect’

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Glen Powell has quickly become a popular action star, with recent successes in films like Twisters and Top Gun: Maverick. Though still developing as a leading man in the action genre, he’s demonstrated he can handle a variety of roles, from thrilling adventures to intense action. It’s no surprise that he considers the 1989 film a personal favorite – a sentiment shared by many.

Glen Powell started out in romantic comedies and comedies, but has become increasingly popular in action films over the past five years. He’s gained a dedicated following, with many fans hoping he’ll play characters like Green Lantern or Booster Gold, even after some films didn’t perform well. Like many actors, Powell has shared some of his favorite movies – recently, he created an Oscars “Top Five” list that included classics like Casablanca and Jurassic Park. And his absolute favorite? He called one sequel a “perfect 10/10 movie.”

Indiana Jones Changed Adventure Forever With Raiders of the Lost Ark

Starring Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, this movie centers around a professor’s exciting trip to Egypt. His mission? To stop the Nazis from finding the Ark of the Covenant. Despite being made with limited funds, the film was a huge hit and helped bring adventure movies back into the spotlight, inspiring films like Romancing the Stone, The Goonies, and The Princess Bride.

Inspired by classic adventure serials and the film Secret of the Incas, this movie instantly brought its genre back to life. Before the 1980s, making these kinds of films was a challenge for Hollywood – some projects cost a fortune, while others just weren’t popular. With dark thrillers being the big trend in the 1970s, audiences were ready for a fresh, exciting change.

By the third film, audiences had already seen Indiana Jones recover the Ark of the Covenant from the Nazis and defeat a sinister cult in India, saving captive children. The Last Crusade offered his most heartfelt adventure, as he embarked on a quest to find his missing father and the Holy Grail. Throughout the movie, viewers witness the emotional dynamic between father and son as they search for the legendary relic, with Indiana constantly seeking his father’s approval.

It’s no surprise that The Last Crusade is as beloved as the original movie, largely due to its heartwarming portrayal of a father and son’s bond. Many fans feel this way, including…

Glen Powell Prefers Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Fans often disagree about which Indiana Jones movie is the best. While some prefer the action of Temple of Doom, others consider the original Raiders of the Lost Ark to be flawless. Over time, The Last Crusade has gained popularity, largely because of its heartwarming story about the relationship between Henry Jones Sr. and Indy. As one fan explained, what he loved most about The Last Crusade was the intimate and touching father-son dynamic, which played out against a backdrop of grand adventure.

Powell, like many Indiana Jones fans, loved how the original trilogy ended. He recalled feeling it was a perfect conclusion when Indy rode off into the sunset, stating, “Don’t touch it. This is great.” That’s why Last Crusade remains his favorite film in the series. The ending beautifully wrapped up the historical adventure trilogy, and subsequent sequels have struggled to measure up to it.

Throughout the Indiana Jones series, the scene of Indy desperately reaching for the Grail is unmatched in its emotional power. It’s a moment where the complex relationship between Henry and Indiana Jones finally resolves, with Henry acknowledging his son’s identity by calling him “Indiana” – a name he’d previously refused to use. This touching father-son connection is a rare and powerful moment in film, delivering on a bond audiences had been hoping to see from the start.

For movie lovers, Powell also highly recommends Singin’ in the Rain, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Casablanca. These five films represent some of the greatest classics ever made, ranging from a groundbreaking film of the 1940s to a movie that truly revolutionized science fiction.

After appearing in hits like Twisters and Top Gun: Maverick, Powell is quickly building a career filled with memorable films. Adventure movies are making a comeback, and he has the potential to become a leading star in the genre.

Adventure Hasn’t Been the Same Without Indiana Jones

When the original Indiana Jones movies ended in 1989, it was hard to find another adventure series that could capture the same audience. While there were some good attempts, like The Pirates of the Caribbean starring Johnny Depp, none quite filled the void.

These movies all steer clear of directly copying the adventures of Indiana Jones, instead being set in different time periods and exploring different types of action. While Stephen Sommers’ film leaned into horror, Gore Verbinski’s series focused more on swashbuckling pirate adventures and fantastical elements.

With movie budgets getting incredibly high, it’s no surprise that films like Jungle Cruise didn’t perform well at the box office, even though some adventure movies have been successful.

Recent stories in this genre often feel like they’re just trying to make a quick profit with big budgets, losing the emotional connection that made earlier films special. A lot of the original appeal came from filmmakers like Spielberg who could create something amazing even with limited resources, capturing the exciting spirit of classic adventure stories.

While Indiana Jones had exciting stories in comics and games, many believe the movies would have been more impactful if the series had stopped after three films. Since 1989, other adventure movies like The Mummy trilogy and John Carter have proven successful, and they clearly show the influence of Spielberg’s original films. It’s difficult to picture those later adventures without the foundation laid by the ’80s Indiana Jones movies.

As a huge movie fan, I have to say the father-son relationship in the third film really got to me. It’s honestly one of the most genuinely moving portrayals of parenthood I’ve seen in a long time, especially considering it wasn’t a typical family drama. The actor playing Henry Sr. was absolutely perfect, and the whole film felt like a beautiful culmination of everything that made this hero so compelling – from his beginnings right through to a truly satisfying conclusion.

The Last Crusade is the Gold Standard of Trilogy Conclusions

Finishing a movie trilogy is notoriously difficult for filmmakers. There’s a lot of pressure to tie up all the storylines and satisfy fans, and often the final movie doesn’t quite live up to expectations. It’s tough to deliver an ending that everyone will love.

Harrison Ford has always loved playing Indiana Jones, and the character remains a classic adventure hero even today. Each of the original movies was excellent, and the third film really solidified the series as a true masterpiece.

Although some people liked Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, most agree that Indiana Jones’ story reached its peak with the original three films. So it’s no surprise that actor Glen Powell, like many fans, chose The Last Crusade as his favorite in the series.

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2025-12-10 01:38