In this final installment of the famous trilogy, Steven Spielberg has executed yet another blockbuster and added another terrific narrative to the life of Indiana Jones. Spielberg co-collaborator John Williams once again provides a great (not his best) score.
Professor Henry Jones "Junior" (Harrison Ford) and newcomer Henry Senior (Sean Connery) team up to recover another ancient relic from the Bible. This time, they search for the Cup of Christ. Nazis are once again the bad guys throughout the film, as they race against our heroes to claim the Holy Grail for "Der Fuhrer".
The "mature" content is typical for a Spielberg film. The profanity is mild. In one instance, Indy uses the Lord's name in vain, but is slapped by the elder Jones "for blasphemy". Implied fornication is present in two scenes (one is from a conversation), and the violence is fairly intense (decapitation, bloody bullet piercings, and rapid/disgusting aging). Violence is the key category that warrants caution.
While worldly filth pollutes the movie, it's redeemed by the challenges of faith that the characters face; challenges that are similar to our own. In one scene, Indy is forced to cross a ravine where there's no bridge. The only way to get across the ravine is to take a "leap of faith." This PERFECTLY illustrates how we should trust God. Many youth ministers use this scene to show their groups.
Parents: If possible, see this movie on network stations; otherwise, know what your child can handle, if they plan on watching it. All others: The amount of challenges posed to the characters as well as the Christians in the audience make this a much healthier movie than "double-naught seven".
Year of Release -- 1989