Harrison Ford: Cornerstone of the cinematic cultural universe?

[MorningGlow]

My son is just starting to get interested in adventure movies. (No more Caillou or Bob the Builder! Hurray!) He also loves cars. And it's occurred to me that all his favorite movies star Harrison Ford: the Indiana Jones films, the original Star Wars trilogy--even American Graffiti.

And every time, there was Harrison Ford. So movie industry fan that I am, I felt compelled to explain to him that the same guy was playing all his favorite roles (yeah, he even loved Falfa because of his "boss car"--and I have to admit, "Ain't he neat?") Anyway, ever try explaining to a wee one what "actors" and "different roles" are? That took a few tries.
:rofl:

So...Harrison Ford: cornerstone of the cinematic cultural universe? Discuss! :hi:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Harrison Ford: overrated has been. Starred in two memorable franchises.

Don't get me started on Clint Eastwood.

[MorningGlow]

2. Ouchie!

But seriously, how do you really feel about the guy? :hi:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. I don't dislike him.

:shrug:

[martymar64]

7. Neither could hold a candle to Takashi Shimizu

For good examples, see Seven Samurai or Ikiru.

Most American Cinema is dogshit, with the exception of Coppola, Scorcese and Terence Malick and I speak as somebody that worked in the film industry. Most American films are ripoffs of great foreign films.
Now all we make are adaptions of comic books, Saturday morning cartoons and Adam Sandler vehicles.
American cinema is at its absolute nadir right now. You'd get more entertainment from huffing butane.

[SocratesInSpirit]

4. Well, if it wasn't for Harrison Ford

Star Wars would not have been so good. He was by far the best actor in the trilogy.

:hide:

edit: d'oh! damn typo

[MorningGlow]

5. True enough

No arguments from me! :hi:

[DerekG]

6. He's been in a hell of lot of great movies, and only a few rotters

For a 20 year stretch, he kicked ass like no other:

American Graffiti
The Conversation
Star Wars
Apocalypse Now
The Empire Strikes Back
Blade Runner
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Witness
Mosquito Coast
The Fugitive
Presumed Innocent
Regarding Henry


On the downside, he's been in:

Return of the Jedi
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
What Lies Beneath
Firewall
Hollywood Homicide

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. He was ridiculously wooden in a number of those good movies.

His monologues in Bladerunner, for instance, were just awful. He was relatively subdued in Mosquito Coast for a part that should have been maniacal.

[mcctatas]

9. He went to the same college as me...

so he must be teh awesome! :P

[Canuckistanian]

10. More like the Guest Reception Lounge

Attractive and functional, but not essential.

[MrScorpio]

11. I only have two degrees of separation from the guy

Therefore, he must be awesome!