Synopsis: “Childhood collaborators Chris Strompolos, Eric Zala and Jayson Lamb return to finish their shot-for-shot remake of Steven Spielberg’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark” 25 years later. Professional and personal hurdles present various challenges as the trio attempts to film their most ambitious shot yet: the dreaded third act Nazi fistfight, complete with a life-sized exploding plane.”
Review: Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, so they say. Anyone who’s had but a whiff of Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation, a literal shot-for-shot remake made over the course of seven years with actors aging Boyhood-style throughout the process, would agree. The documentary from Jeremy Coon and Tim Skousen waffles between past and present, attempting to answer the question: what on earth would drive anyone to invest so much time in such a preposterous pursuit. Chris Strompolos, Eric Zala and Jayson Lamb‘s answers would probably vary based on which year they were asked but Coon and Skousen seem to pinpoint the driving force: childhood wonder. While the acting within the frame is not necessarily of unwavering quality, the dedication on display very much is. Raiders! gets into some surprisingly emotional territory – drug issues, creaky friendships, succumbing to The Real World – and manages to stir up a good dose of heart to accompany the soulfulness of their haphazard pursuit. Sure, these guys may be a little mad but it’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world. [B-]
Trailer:
Verdict: For those curious, Raiders! is definitely worth a watch though its lightweight collection of features and relatively limited rewatchability factor keep it at a rental status.
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By: Matt Oakes
Started blogging about film in college when the university paper wouldn’t have him. Dislikes your consensus film Twitter favorites. Devotee of horror movies that make him die a little inside. Catches films at festivals when he can. Proud SFCS and OFCS member and Tomatometer-approved critic. Editor-in-chief of Silver Screen Riot.
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