RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)

1936.  Archaeologist/adventurer/professor Indiana Jones is deep in a Peruvian jungle exploring  an ancient, booby trap filled temple in search of a golden idol.  He retrieves it, but it's stolen by rival archaeologist Belloq.  Back at school he's interviewed by two Army intelligence agents who inform him that the Nazis are in Egypt searching for the lost Ark of the Covenant because they believe it can be used as a mighty weapon.  Indy sets off to beat them to it.

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK is awesome!  That's all there is to it.  The pace is rocket fast, the story is well-written and engaging, the action scenes are so badass you can barely believe your eyes, it's funny, it's sad and you're constantly wondering how Indy is gonna get out of the latest jam he's in, but yet he always does in a mostly believable fashion...as far as adventure movies go.  Best of all though is the character of Indiana Jones himself.  He's the perfect adventure movie hero.  He's worldly, rugged as fuck, sensitive, extremely smart and his decisions are logical.  You're never once yelling at the TV "Why the fuck would you do that?!"  I also really like the fact that he's pretty believable and not invincible like say James Bond.

Highly recommended.  One of my favorite movies ever and even after dozens of viewings I still love every minute of it.

Part 2 (prequel) - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Part 3 - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Part 4 - Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Part 5 - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)