www.thestarwalkers.com
June/July 2008
Harrison Ford July 13th, 1942 –
by G. K. Holland
“Marion Ravenwood: You're not the man I knew ten years ago.
Indiana Jones: It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage.”
-- Raiders of the Lost Ark - 1981
FROM CHI-TOWN TO Dr. HENRY JONES Jr IN INDIANA
Finally Harrison Ford stars in a fourth Indiana Jones movie, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, with a story by George Lucas, a screenplay written by David Koepp, and directed by Steven Spielberg. Harrison is joined by a great cast which includes Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, John Hurt, Ray Winstone, Jim Broadbent, and Shia LaBeouf. Principle photography began on the movie in June 2007 and was released on May 22 of this year (2008). Not enough credit has been given to George Lucas for inventing the Indiana Jones saga (or re-inventing the serial films as some might say since much of the inspiration of Indiana Jones came from the movie serials of the 1930’s and 40’s).
The Indiana Jones films brings a certain treasure trove of memorable, adventurous, eye popping, and rapid pulse inducing entertainment. In listening to the energizing ‘buzz’ around the release of this new Indiana film grow, I said to myself, “Indy my boy, we’ve missed you, you really need to visit us more often.” But in making such comments I found myself also asking ‘What makes Indiana Jones’ so special? What keeps people coming back for more of Indiana Jones, over, and over again?’ Well, one need not to ponder such a question for too long because it is really quite simple. Indiana Jones is the kind of honest adventurous movie making that is so pure in it’s intent and its execution of scripts that are at least doable, that you can’t help but to be drawn and seduced by it, if you will. Indiana Jones reminds us of why we go to the movies. It is quite simply the best kind of film making. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones is so adept at the role that the line between Harrison Ford the actor and Indiana Jones the character seems at times a bit of a blur. He is just spot on, fun to watch.
Harrison Ford was born in Chi-town (Chicago, Illinois) home of the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bears, the 70’s soul pop hit group the Chi-lites, the Oprah Winfrey Show and a long list of other people, things and events that make Chicago the city of lights. The people of Chicago should be proud to know that the heart beat of the actor who portrays Indiana Jones originates from Chicago.
Inevitably the new Indiana Jones will have its critics. Some of these criticisms are founded on an expectation almost impossible to fill because the Indiana Jones film series has already reached such a historic cinematic pinnacle. Others will level a criticism simply based on the need to raid the cinematic ark that contains all that is good about Indiana Jones. However in the end after all the dust stirred from the new Indiana Jones movie has cleared the incomparable Dr. Jones will live on. During the 2008 Cannes Film Festival he was quoted as saying: "My fans are the ones I have to answer to!"
IN THE SPIRIT OF JULES VERNE & HOWARD HUGHES: HARRISON FORD RULES
A number of Harrison’s real life exploits mirror those of Indiana Jones. In fact it can be said that Indiana Jones now stands as an iconic American hero. The fiction adventures of Indiana Jones (or Dr. Jones as some call him) stands with the best ever written (cinematically or otherwise). He is the current Chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles program, taking over after Chuck Yeager retired. In regards to environmental causes, Ford sits on the board of directors of Conservation International. In addition he is an Honorary Chairman of the Indianapolis Prize, the world's leading award for animal conservation. He was also awarded the Jules Verne Spirit of Nature Award for his ongoing work in preservation of the planet. Quite a title and honor for someone who began doing bit parts on TV in the 60’s.
It is interesting how wealth opens a labyrinth of possibilities, an opportunity to explore areas otherwise not so easily available. Howard Hughes did it and a number of entrepreneurs before him. So perhaps it is no wonder that Harrison Ford has also taken to the skies as well. Harrison Ford began flight training in the 1960s at Wild Rose Airport in Wild Rose, Wisconsin flying in a TriPacer, but at $15 an hour he was unable to continue the training. His interest returned in the mid-1990s when he bought a used Gulfstream II and asked one of his pilots (Terry Bender) to give him flying lessons. They started out flying a Cessna 182 out of Jackson, Wyoming. He later switched to Teterboro, New Jersey flying a Cessna 206, the aircraft he eventually soloed in.
If you doubt the validity of Harrison’s ‘real world’ contribution or how seriously he is taken by various professionals around the world, take note of the fact that in 1993, arachnologist Norman Platnick named a new species of spider Calponia harrisonfordi. If that was not enough also in 2002, the entomologist Edward O. Wilson named a new ant species Pheidole harrisonfordi (in recognition of Harrison's work as Vice Chairman of Conservation International). Who says life does not imitate life or vice-versa.
HAN SOLO & INDIANA JONES BATTLE FOR RECOGNITION AS REAL LIFE STAR WALKERS
When people begin to replace real life people with fictional ones as if they had a personal relationship with them, it can only be ascertained that a personal connection has been made that supersedes that of ordinary fiction. Not to mention that if further illustrates the significance of the legacy of Indiana Jones. Lucas, Spielberg, Ford, (including the various screenwriters involved in all four films) have managed to tell a story with characters so colorful and memorable that the above becomes the norm for said film or character.
The Star Walker project is about making a difference in people’s lives through the kind of personal involvement that promotes life events towards the greater good. Harrison’s portrayal of Indiana Jones and Han Solo has elevated the existence of these characters to a ‘real world’ kind of reality where a number of people consider them ‘real persons”! This makes it a little easier to understand further how strong an impression the Indiana Jones film series. Harrison’s long and impressive body of work certainly confirms this. The upcoming Star Walker book & movies series features various elements of archeology (for a few examples just listen to Episodes IV and VI of the Star Walker Radio Series).
In the real world of archeology there is an actual 31-pound, 10 inch high crystal skull on display at the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of Natural History which mirrors the one searched for in the new Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of the Krystal Skull. In an article published in the L. A. Times May 23rd 2008, journalist David German writes the following: “Indy’s main value in the academic world has been as an inspiration to aspiring archeologists, ….” He goes on to say further: “If you asked these people why they were becoming archeologists, it always starts off with Indiana Jones.” We think that the fruits of archeology are so important that the upcoming Star Walker book & movies series will feature various elements of archeology mingled with other very cool and fun cinematic elements.
HARRISON FORD AWARDED AN HONORARY KEN JU KAI RANKING
It’s been said before (in other Star Walker of the Month articles) that under the high excitement, adventure, awesome entertainment and inspirational elements of Star Walker runs a very serious but subtle message that addresses the human condition. The stories of Star walker deals with the human struggle, on a subtle yet deeper level it is also about ‘the global family’. Much of Star walker is about allowing divine empowerment to guide and strengthen our lives, in spite of our short comings or stumbling as humans. The adventurous spirit as displayed in all of the Indiana Jones films reflects the adventurous spirit of many of the Star Walker stories (including the Star Walker Radio Episodes.
In recognition of Harrison’s ongoing success with a very distinctive career of excellence in the field of entertainment and using that success in ways that help change the human condition, including the very world we live in (such as his work with nature preserves, providing his aircraft for emergency service that literally have helped in the rescue of human lives), we present Harrison Ford with an honorary rare ranking of 7th Rank Ken Ju Kai. In the world of Star Walker being a 7th ranked Ken Ju Kai is one step from becoming a Ken Ju Kai Priest. As the character Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford has brought the kind of movie thrills that are consistent with honest top notch cinematic moments thanks to Lucas and Spielberg! Those are just a few reasons Indiana Jones remains close to our hearts and now a new generation. Who can measure how many future scientists, adventurers, pilots or archeologists Indian Jones has inspired?
For a man in his mid-sixties, Harrison Ford is proof that perhaps the last thing to age on an individual is one’s heart, inspiration and courage. For a man his age, to endure all of the physical action and demands of filming such a physically intense movie such as Indiana Jones is something no less than impressive (never mind that there is a always a stunt man to do the more film insurance threatening stunts). The Indiana Jones saga proves that our spirit of human adventure, imagination and fun never has to die, nor should it. In past Star Walker of the Month articles we have presented a long prolific list of the many qualities of a Star Walker. However, this month we would like to use just two words to describe key Star Walker qualities, ‘Harrison Ford’!
Commenteors – What other people have to say about this Star Walker of the Month. These commentaries are like comets and meteors, brief but prolific and enlightening – sure to leave a trail of insightfulness across your heart. We call these comments Commenteors.
To Star Walk – Click here and find the star of Harrison Ford as he are forever remembered in the galaxy of the stars within the Star Walker Universe. View and watch the skies slowly fill in the coming months and years as the light of Star Walker, after Star Walker, after Star Walker fills the heavens. We do this as an interactive tribute to those who have through fate, destiny, and even under divine purpose, left the rest of us behind, as well as to those who are still with us.
Past Star Walkers of the Month:
April/May 2008 – Oprah Winfrey
February/March 2008 – Bob Marley
January 2008 – Seal & Heidi Klum
December 2007 – Star Walker of the Year - Chuck Norris
November 2007 – Brandon Lee
October 2007 – Queen Latifah
September 2007 – Vince Lombardi
August 2007 – Chuck Norris
July 2007 - Deforest Kelley
June 2007 - Liviu Librescu
May 2007 - Watchman Nee
April 2007 - Helen Hayes
March 2007 - Nelson Mandela
February 2007 - James Brown
January 2007 - Mother Teresa
December 2006 - Paul Allen Knopf
November 2006 - Princess Diana