Lego Indiana Jones Gives New Meaning to Adventure
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
Lego, the most popular of all building, or construction, toys has become a worldwide favorite of children and adults alike. The company, founded in Billund, Denmark has a history that goes all the way back to the 1920’s and 30’s. However, the term “Lego bricks” didn’t come into existence until 1953. The company with such humble beginnings has since become affiliated with the media franchise giants Harry Potter, Batman, Star Wars, and even SpongeBob SquarePants. Now the adventurer, Indiana Jones, has joined these legendary movie icons.
Nicknamed and known the world over as Indiana Jones, Dr. Henry Walton Jones, Jr. is an archaeology professor that is well known for his expertise in finding long lost artifacts and was created by the founder of the Star Wars empire, George Lucas. In 1981 Indiana Jones debuted in the wildly popular and theater box office hit, Raiders of the Lost Ark. Portrayed by award wining actor Harrison Ford, Indiana Jones’ adventures are shown as happening in the 1930’s. Already known for his Star Wars success, George Lucas hit another home run with his Indiana Jones character!
Wide ranges of products are available as a result of the Indiana Jones franchise being so well promoted and marketed. The popular franchise was introduced to Lego fans in May 2008 when the Cartoon Network released the movie, Lego Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Brick. The animated three dimensional movie was made highlighting four of Indiana Jones’ adventures. Lego Indiana Jones had made his first public appearance!
Lego and Jones are on a roll. One month later in June 2008, the video game, Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures was release in the United States and Canada by Traveller’s Tales. Of course, George Lucas retained the copyrights. The game features exerts from the first three Indiana Jones movies and is available for PSP, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS and PC. The game companies previous successful releases of four Lego Star Wars games, including a Bionicle Star Wars game, virtually guaranteed the new games success.
The newest, and extremely popular, Lego Indiana Jones Classic series of toy building sets and mini-figures have their roots in the first three adventure films, as well as, the Original Adventure video game. These six toy sets allow youngsters and adults alike to experience the following Indiana Jones adventures: Race for the Stolen Treasure, Temple Escape, Fight on the Flying Wing, Indiana Jones and the Lost Tomb, Shanghai Chase, and Indiana Jones Motorcycle Chase. Professor Henry Jones, Short Round, Willie, Belioq and Satipo are a few of the minifigures in these sets.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the forth of the I.J. movies, is the inspiration for the Kingdom of the Skull series of Lego toy building sets. These sets include: Temple of the Crystal Skull, Jungle Cutter, River Chase, and the already rare Peril in Peru set. Film characters portrayed as minifigs in these sets are Mutt Williams, Marion Ravenwood, Irina Spalco, and the villainous Colonel Dovchenko and his Russian soldiers. Dealing with various skeletons and Ugg Warriors is the man himself, Indiana Jones, complete with hat and trademark whip!
