I loved this show when it was (briefly) on television. A whole series of videos: The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones has been released. I didn't recall seeing this one when I looked down the list of titles available, so I ordered it.

Attack of the Hawkmen tells the story of Indiana Jones' escapades with and American flying division of the French Army just prior to the Americans entering World War I. Although he hates to fly, he manages to get himself assigned here to take aerial reconnaissance photographs of German troops. He is shot down by the infamous Red Baron on his first mission, and manages to escape to return for a second assignment. This time he is to bring a message to the Dutch aircraft designer Anthony Fokker who is working for the Germans, and try to get him to defect to the French. This assignment also does not go as planned, and he weaves his way in and out of trouble throughout the 96 minutes of film as he tries to bring back details of a new secret weapon.

As a historical piece, it does bend history a bit. All in all, it is not as bad as a lot of films. The nice thing is that the whole family can watch this movie. Yes, it has some violence - you are dealing with World War I after all. However, the violence is in the right context and not gratuitous. I watched this with my 10 year old daughter and she immediately became interested in who the Red Baron was and about the difference in the airplanes from then until now.

Sean Patrick Flanery does his usual great job as the young Indiana Jones. Though in situations that, like the Raiders of the Lost Ark movie, seem impossible to extricate himself from, he pulls it off and makes it seem believable.

One drawback for me was that I had always liked seeing him in action with his friend Remy (played by Ronny Coutteure), and he is sent on a different assignment at the beginning of this film. Though Indy makes friends with the pilots in the flying unit, I missed the rapport that I was used to seeing between these two actors.

The movie was produced by Lucasfilm and George Lucas, and I think his dedication to this series is admirable. I have always found it to be entertaining and I plan on collecting all the videos of The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones.


Other "Family" movie & DVD reviews:

Aladdin ~ Cars ~ Corpse Bride ~ Finding Nemo ~ Ice Age ~ The Love Bug ~ Monsters, Inc. ~ Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams ~ The Three Musketeers ~ Toy Story ~ The Wild Thornberrys Movie ~ Yellow Submarine ~ Young Sherlock Holmes

Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Black and White ~ Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Black and White Volume 2 ~ Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color ~ Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color Volume 2 ~ Walt Disney Treasures: The Chronological Donald Volume One ~ Walt Disney Treasures: The Complete Pluto ~ Walt Disney Treasures: Behind the Scenes at the Walt Disney Studios ~ Walt Disney Treasures: Silly Symphonies ~ Walt Disney Treasures: Disneyland USA



© 2001 Patti Aliventi



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12