Jack Hunter and the Lost Treasure of Ugarit

Aren't all heroes named "Jack?" Yep, this one is too ... and it goes downhill from there.

Score: 2 .... plot development 1 .... character development 6 .... Indiana Jones character rip-off 8 .... Location set up shot (some of the visuals are nice)

You don't care about these characters and their back stories, because they are not introduced with any skillfully written narrative. They are one dimensional, predictable and completely unsympathetic.

The modern time period lacks the charm and danger of the 30s and impending world conflict. But somehow, when "Jack" heads out to go on his mission, he is suddenly adorned in the Indiana Jones uniform of the 1930s era.

Seriously? Can't these rip-offs at least have better writing if they are created by people who you assume went into the craft to use their creativity?

Totally derivative of Indiana Jones, but then, Indiana Jones is totally derivative of earlier films and radio programs. Taken on its own merit, the Jack Hunter series is a fun and adventurous romp. While that's pretty much it, that's more than mainstream media has been giving us for some time. The acting is passable. The writing is decent. The special effects are dated and sometimes cheesy, but again, passable. My favorite part of the films is the dichotomy between Jack and his nemesis, Albert Littman. The actors play well off of each other, and it provides a sense of tension and danger that has been sorely lacking in Hollywood films of late.

You could waste your time and watch this movie or you could imagine Indiana Jones with no charisma and bad acting and you will save yourself the pain. My children and I did endure to the end, but it became a "laugh at the TV show" towards the end. The plot could have been reasonable but doesn't make it. The acting is blockhead and stilted. The characters are stereotyped. Syria could not have endorsed this heap of bull, the characters shown from the incompetent police to the comic relief sidekick are all one dimensional, insulting and pathetic. The story line wanders and the bad guys are a bit too obvious. Any plot twists are telegraphed and do not work. I cannot warn people enough to stay away.

Have seen all three in the series, very like Indiana Jones, but the sound on speech is very low, used Speaker Bar and just able to hear it with Subtitles.

This series certainly - and shamelessly - lifted the Raiders of the Lost Ark for base material, but it does give enough of a twist on events to make it legal, and somewhat serviceable.

I like this genre so I enjoyed watching it for entertainment's sake. Of course it has as much "cheese" in it as a Green Bay Creamery, and the dialogue is not Oscar material, but I watch documentaries if I want something deep.