The Must-Have Indiana Jones Imitations of the 1980s

      There’s something recognizable as we examine a collection of notable Indiana Jones imitators from the 1980s...

      In the film industry, if a certain formula proves successful, studios often believe it can succeed again. Die Hard, for instance, not only led to four sequels but also generated a multitude of imitations. The same can be said for Mad Max, Conan the Barbarian, Jaws, The Terminator, Alien, Star Wars, and more.

      Interestingly, many of the films that birthed these knock-offs—sometimes quite good ones—were not particularly original themselves. Star Wars wasn't the first space adventure; it arrived after a lull in the genre and dramatically transformed cinema's trajectory. Similarly, Indiana Jones represents George Lucas and Steven Spielberg's homage to the pulpy serials of the 1930s and the adventure B-movies of the 1950s.

      Like many blockbuster hits of the era, Raiders of the Lost Ark wasn't just successful; it achieved mega-hit status. Its popularity endured throughout its theatrical run, even amidst competition from Superman II, which was expected to dominate that season.

      Naturally, this success led to sequels, and right from the initial triumph of Raiders of the Lost Ark, the action-adventure film templates inspired by B-movies became a staple in theaters and the home video market. Throughout the 1980s, they were ubiquitous. Here are ten crucial Indiana Jones clones from that decade...

      **Magic Crystal**

      This Hong Kong action-comedy featuring Andy Lau, Cynthia Rothrock, and the late Richard Norton delivers a delightfully cheesy experience. Its relevance is underscored by the plot's noticeable similarities to Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, as it revolves around a quest for an alien crystal. The story features Hong Kong cops, Russian gangsters, and Rothrock pursuing a mystical rock of extraterrestrial origin, seeking to reunite it with a dormant alien, aiming to return home. The film showcases beautiful Greek locations where Lau, Rothrock, and Norton engage in enjoyable fight scenes, all infused with director Wong Jing's energetic style.

      **The Golden Child**

      Magic Crystal also shares some connections with Eddie Murphy’s initially criticized, yet surprisingly entertaining adventure film, The Golden Child. Imagine the character from 48 Hours and Beverly Hills Cop unwittingly stepping into the role of Indiana Jones. These goofy adventures that place unlikely heroes in bizarre situations have become common, leading to a reassessment of the film.

      Murphy, Charles Dance, and James Hong lead this film filled with fantastical settings, and Murphy's awkwardness actually enhances the narrative as he navigates underground tombs filled with traps reminiscent of Indy’s adventures.

      **The Goonies**

      One constant in Indy’s many escapades is following maps to hidden treasures and artifacts. Turning 40 this year while retaining its youthful charm, The Goonies propels a group of small-town kids, threatened by developers, on a treasure hunt for One-Eyed Willy's lost ship filled with riches, all while being pursued by bumbling criminals.

      The young ensemble includes Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, Josh Brolin, and Ke Huy Quan as Data, who also contributed to the Jones legacy by portraying Short Round in Temple of Doom the year before. The film features several Indy trademarks, including underground caverns, deadly traps, and puzzles, creating a race against time to outsmart the villains. It's incredibly fun, and upon rewatching, it becomes clear that Jeff Cohen as Chunk is a standout.

      **River of Death**

      Emerging a few years after Cannon’s heyday, River of Death maintained faith in Michael Dudikoff as a potential movie star. While he possessed the looks and physical talent for stardom, he struggled to replicate the success of American Ninja, which ironically didn't showcase his best abilities.

      Based on an Alistair MacLean novel, River of Death leans more towards Indiana Jones, featuring an adventurer facing a post-war Nazi threat. The cast includes Robert Vaughan, Donald Pleasance, and Herbert Lom, with Dudikoff (aside from some unnecessary narration) performing well. Like many Cannon productions, it presents a mix of underdevelopment and impressive visuals, benefitting from a strong crew, particularly cinematographer Avraham Karpick, who enhances its appearance in the recent Blu-ray restoration. The narrative may wander like the river in its Amazonian setting, but it is relatively underrated for a Dudikoff and late-era Cannon film.

      **Firewalker**

      Speaking of Cannon, Dudikoff was envisioned as a new poster boy to succeed Charles Bronson and Chuck Norris. Interestingly, one of Dudikoff’s notable films, Avenging Force, was originally intended as a sequel to Invasion USA for Norris.

      While Norris excelled at roundhouse kicking foes, he wasn't particularly charismatic in the way required for a character akin to Harrison Ford. In Firewalker, Norris portrays a knockoff Indiana, supported by Louis Gossett Jr