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JUNGLE CRUISE (2021) – Based on the Disneyland attraction of the same name, Jungle Cruise brings back to the big screen the classic action-adventure vibes that have been appropriated in Hollywood for a (very) long time. The incredible chemistry between Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt does the rest, for a movie that knows how to entertain and simultaneously propose a decidedly classic idea of adventure but effectively revisited in a modern key.
UNCHARTED (2022) – The Uncharted video game franchise, in addition to establishing itself as a huge success in the action genre, gave the world the character of the famous treasure hunter Nathan Drake. The film adaptation serves as a prequel to the video game of the same name, and introduces a younger version of the protagonist, here played by a tormented Tom Holland and flanked by the treacherous Mark Wahlberg.
THE TREASURE OF THE AMAZON (2003) – The film that first directs Dwayne Johnson from his character as the Scorpion King is a gem of a non-stop adventure packed with humor and action. The actor at the time still known as The Rock ventured into comedy for the first time to great results, delivering some memorable breaks with Sean William Scott, the unforgettable Stifler from American Pie, and Rosario Dawson.
THE MUMMY (1999) – An official remake of the 1932 international classic of the same name, the film is an adventurous reimagining of the popular black and white horror film. With its blend of bizarre adventure and horror elements, The Mummy entered the hearts of many fans and also contributed to making Brendan Fraser one of the most beloved actors between the 90s and 2000s. Returns in 2001 and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor in 2008.
SAHARA (2005) – Based on Clive Cussler’s novel of the same name, stars Matthew McConaughey as Dirk Pitt, adventurous protagonist of the author’s many other writings, joined here by Penelope Cruz. Despite the total production cost of around $240 million and despite the good quality of the movie, the movie turned out to be a box office flop that managed to earn only half of the expenses.
Chaving the Green Stone (1984) – Arrived on the wave of success of Raiders of the Lost Ark, the film was the first success of Robert Zemeckis’ career as a director. Here the bizarre adventure leaves ample space for the dynamics of the romantic comedy, which, thanks to the harmony between Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, immediately reveals itself as one of the film’s strengths. The adventurous duo then returned in the sequel, which was made by Jewel of the Nile, the following year.
The Secret of the Molds (2004) – Produced by Disney in collaboration with Jerry Bruckheimer, the film introduced one of the most famous Indiana Jones imitators, archaeologist Benjamin Franklin Gates, played by Nicolas Cage. The character would later return in the 2007 sequel to The Lost Pages, which, however, was generally less appreciated than the first chapter.
JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE (2017) – The long-awaited sequel to the unforgettable movie starring Robin Williams once again puts Dwayne Johnson at the heart of an old-fashioned adventure, this time set in the same world of Jumanji that swallows up hapless gamers. Designed for the whole family with a special focus on comedy, the movie brings together its star and profiles like Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Nick Jonas.
STARGATE (1994) – Roland Emmerich’s film takes some of the staples of the Indiana Jones saga and turns them into a visionary work that blends science fiction and ancient Egypt. Led by characters played by Kurt Russell and James Spader, Stargate has successfully caught the collective imagination to the point of ushering in a new interest in antiquities among the general public, and has also garnered several spin-off TV series that expanded its narrative universe. .
The Secret of Relapse (1954) – the film that started it all, the film that George Lucas himself has repeatedly referred to as the greatest source of inspiration in creating the character of Indiana Jones and his first unforgettable cinematic adventure. One need only look at the appearance of the adventurer Harry Steele played by Charlton Heston to understand how important this movie was to defining the tropes that Harrison Ford’s character repurposed after nearly three decades.
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