Blank Check with Griffin & David: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade with Chris Gethard Released on March 23, 2025
Overview
In this episode of Blank Check with Griffin & David, hosted by Griffin Newman and David Sims, the duo delves into Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Steven Spielberg’s third installment in the iconic franchise. Joined by comedian and actor Chris Gethard, the hosts explore various facets of the film, from its promotional material and character dynamics to its place within Spielberg’s illustrious career.
1. Movie Poster and Taglines
The discussion kicks off with an analysis of the movie’s promotional strategies, particularly focusing on the film’s taglines and poster imagery.
- Griffin Newman (00:25): Critiques one of the film’s taglines as “terrible” and “so stupid.”
- David Sims (02:16): Highlights the cleverness of the accepted tagline, “Have the adventure of your life, keeping up with the Joneses,” appreciating its nod to the father-son dynamic.
Notable Quote:
Griffin Newman (02:07): "I think they settled on a really nice tagline for the main poster, which is, 'Have the adventure of your life, keeping up with the Joneses.' I think that's a clever way to do the family thing."
2. River Phoenix’s Portrayal
A significant portion of the conversation centers on River Phoenix’s role in the film, with Gethard expressing admiration for his performance.
- Chris Gethard (02:59): Describes River Phoenix as “so fucking good in this movie” and praises a particular sequence involving his character.
Notable Quote:
Chris Gethard (02:59): "I think River Phoenix is so fucking good in this movie and I love that sequence so fucking much."
3. Box Office Performance
The hosts compare the film’s box office success to other blockbusters of the late '80s and early '90s, noting its impressive opening weekend records.
- Griffin Newman (12:00): Details how Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade broke opening weekend records, eventually being surpassed by major franchises like Harry Potter and Avengers Endgame.
Notable Quote:
Griffin Newman (12:24): "I think this was a year of sequels and comic books and also like the Little Mermaid. So, like, you know, that element rising again."
4. Spielberg’s Career Context
The episode situates Last Crusade within Spielberg’s broader career trajectory, highlighting his shift from blockbuster adventures to more mature, introspective projects.
- David Sims (03:56): Reflects on Spielberg’s move towards films that offer deep emotional experiences, contrasting with his earlier, more action-oriented works.
Notable Quote:
David Sims (05:31): "I also have such a distinct memory that someone might correct me. Lord knows your fans will be the first ones to tell me if I'm right or wrong."
5. Character Dynamics: Indiana and His Father
A core theme of the discussion is the complex relationship between Indiana Jones and his father, portrayed by Sean Connery.
- Chris Gethard (31:12): References Bilga Beery’s analysis of the film as a fulcrum in Spielberg’s career, shifting the narrative from a son's perspective to that of a father.
- David Sims (52:21): Shares personal reflections on father-son relationships, drawing parallels to the film's portrayal.
Notable Quote:
Chris Gethard (31:12): "Which is very interesting to me. And I think through that prism, this movie's relationship to sexuality is very interesting."
6. Portrayal of Nazis and Thematic Elements
The hosts critique the film’s depiction of Nazi antagonists, noting a shift towards more cartoonish and less menacing villains compared to previous entries.
- Griffin Newman (35:53): Comments on the reduced menace of the Nazis in this installment.
Notable Quote:
Griffin Newman (35:53): "It does feel like Spielberg has run out of things to do with that sort of stuff. Like it's a little paint-by-numbers that they're so silly."
7. Action Sequences and Spielberg’s Direction
The episode lauds Spielberg’s ability to craft memorable and inventive action set pieces, contrasting the depth of emotional storytelling with high-octane adventures.
- Chris Gethard (55:03): Praises Spielberg’s mastery in balancing character moments within elaborate action sequences.
Notable Quote:
Chris Gethard (55:03): "He knows how to calibrate how can you do Nazis in a movie where you're not dealing with the full weight and severity of what they did, but you're also not completely turning them into, like, silly bullshit."
8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In wrapping up, the hosts affirm their appreciation for Last Crusade, acknowledging its strengths in action and character development while critiquing certain narrative choices.
- David Sims (118:42): Emphasizes the film’s ability to transcend mere set pieces through its exploration of father-son relationships.
- Griffin Newman (133:36): Highlights the film’s seamless blend of fun adventure with underlying emotional themes.
Notable Quote:
David Sims (118:42): "I think that this movie is more than set piece to set piece because of that exact stuff."
Key Takeaways
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade serves as a pivotal film in Spielberg’s career, balancing thrilling action with deeper emotional narratives.
- The father-son dynamic between Indiana Jones and his father adds substantial depth to the franchise.
- The portrayal of Nazis shifts towards a more exaggerated, less sinister depiction, reflecting broader thematic choices.
- River Phoenix’s performance is a standout element, enhancing the film’s emotional resonance.
- Spielberg’s expertise in crafting memorable action sequences remains undiminished, even as he explores more mature themes.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Griffin Newman (02:07): "I think they settled on a really nice tagline for the main poster, which is, 'Have the adventure of your life, keeping up with the Joneses.' I think that's a clever way to do the family thing."
- Chris Gethard (02:59): "I think River Phoenix is so fucking good in this movie and I love that sequence so fucking much."
- Griffin Newman (12:24): "I think this was a year of sequels and comic books and also like the Little Mermaid. So, like, you know, that element rising again."
- David Sims (31:12): "Which is very interesting to me. And I think through that prism, this movie's relationship to sexuality is very interesting."
- Griffin Newman (35:53): "It does feel like Spielberg has run out of things to do with that sort of stuff. Like it's a little paint-by-numbers that they're so silly."
- Chris Gethard (55:03): "He knows how to calibrate how can you do Nazis in a movie where you're not dealing with the full weight and severity of what they did, but you're also not completely turning them into, like, silly bullshit."
- David Sims (118:42): "I think that this movie is more than set piece to set piece because of that exact stuff."
Conclusion
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is celebrated for its engaging action sequences and the meaningful exploration of Indiana Jones’ relationship with his father. While some critiques are leveled towards the film's portrayal of antagonists and certain narrative decisions, the episode underscores the film’s enduring legacy within both Spielberg’s oeuvre and the adventure genre at large.