Is this an example of deus ex machina? Unprecedented internet gibberish resolving a thread out of existence? (I could actually follow all of that. Not sure if that's depressing or not. And I dislike the Three Letter Acronym 'TLA', because it's technically an initialisation and not an acronym. You'd have to pronounce it as 'tlah' or something for it to be an acronym. ... or do you? ) Because I feel morally obliged to contribute in some way beyond derailing: I think deus ex machina is to be avoided. Ultimate rip-off and time-waster, as one has to experience the whole work to reach the disappointment. Of course, what is deus to one is not deus to all. I also agree that if it's foreshadowed, it's not deus.
dem deus ex machina imo in my opinion iykwim if you know what i mean tla three letter acronyms ftw for the win
God is lowered onto the stage in a machine. God: I prescribe that the human race shall no longer use acronyms. Rest of cast: OH EM GEE. God: For Lucifer's sake! I give up on humanity. God exits in the machine.
Indy was an archaeologist. it makes perfect sense that he knew about the Don't Look thing. However, he is entirely unnecessary to the plot, which is the movie's biggest failing.
I do seem to remember that Indy was a professor of archaelogy? He would certainly have read up on what the Ark of the Covenant was supposed to be, and what the mythology surrounding it was. I don't think he was entirely taken by surprise, and when strange stuff started coming out of the box, he knew what to do. He didn't have to be religious to know this stuff beforehand.
To answer this question, I think you need to define what a deus ex machina is. Personally, I consider it a completely out of the blue plot twist that solves a seemingly hopeless situation. If it's foreshadowed, I wouldn't call it a deus ex machina. For example, a villain dying from a convenient heart attack right as he's about to kill the hero is something I'd consider a deus ex machina. But if the villain having heart problems was foreshadowed earlier in the story, I wouldn't call it one. It might not necessarily be good writing, but I don't see it as a deus ex machina. The only "good" example of a deus ex machina I can think of is the ending of Lord of the Flies, and you could debate whether there was foreshadowing or not.
I concur. He would've no doubt done some research on this and read up on the whole “btw, don't look into the Ark or you die kthxbai.”
Is he? His relationship with Marion is the only reason that she agrees to help him. His rivalry (and predictability) with Belloq is what allows Belloq to ultimately find and take the arc. And his curiosity is what keeps him from destroying the arc with a rocket launcher. I think you could put another person in Indy's place, sure. But it would be an entirely different movie.
And end all of WWII. I mean, imagine that scene taking place in Berlin, with Hitler and all the Nazi high command present to harness God's power. Ark goes open. London Times 19, August 1939 HITLER AND NAZIS SLAIN THROUGH UNKNOWN CAUSES!! WORLD REJOICES!!
OK, nerd time. (rolls up sleeves) If the Nazis were smart, they would have hired someone to research the Ark. That someone would've then told them how opening it would kill everyone. Then they would encourage the good guys to take the ark for themselves, imploring them to go on ahead and open it, etc, they'll just be on the other side of the mountain for no reason.
Nope. The only reason they found the ark is because Indy was there with the real amulet, the only reason the Nazis showed up to get it was because of his Belloq knew about his relationship with Marion. But you can play that game with pretty much any movie. Without Harry Potter Nevile still kills Voldemort. Without James Bond M still dies. Without Atraue Sebastian still saves Fantasia. Etc.
Wait, Neville killed the snake. Granted at that point, all he'd have to do is run Voldemort through the back with the sword and bing-badda-boom, a dead Voldemort. Though I agree, the only reason they were even there was because Marion had the amulet, if I recall. But now I'm wondering, if Marion and Indy knew that the amulet was a map to the Ark, why didn't they just get rid of it? Chuck it into a lagoon, a canyon, somewhere the Nazis couldn't get to?
I made an edit. You might have missed that. Though granted, Luke was there to redeem Vader. Whether the Death Star blew up with him on it or not is kind of irrelevant. Either Luke and the newly-redeemed Anakin were walking out, or they all were gonna die.
For the same reason Indy couldn't blow up the ark with a rocket launcher. He's curious. And: Without Corbin Dallas, Lelu still saves the universe Without Leon, Matilda still escapes Without Sam Lowrey, Jill still dies
Without Luke, there wouldnt be a second Death Star, because he blew up the first one. Without Harry, Voldemort would have stayed in power.
