Since my 499th review as Romancing the Stone, it seemed kind of logical to follow it up with its follow up for my 500th review. (Well done if you understood that sentence.) Jewel of the Nile carries on the adventures of Jack Colton and Joan Wilder, lovers thrown together by fate in the previous film as they tried to rescue Joan’s sister from an evil dude in Columbia. Now however, Joan is an internationally famous authoress, Jack is… well, he’s Jack, and they’re living the life of luxury aboard a yacht. Until…

Omar (Spiros Focás), an African leader, turns up wanting Wilder to write his biography for him. Off she goes with him, only for Jack to find out that this leader has ulterior motives for wanting Joan with him. Reluctantly teaming up with the sleazy Ralph (Danny DeVito), one of the kidnappers from the first film, they set off in pursuit. The legendary Jewel of the Nile becomes the focus of everything that is about to happen, but only one man knows where it is… the race is on to find the Jewel of the Nile… but just exactly what does one do with it once one has found it? Why do so many people think it’s so important? You get the picture.

Reprising their roles from the previous year’s Romancing the Stone, Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner again make a very good onscreen couple, albeit they argue more than before they were officially “together” (in the film, I mean). DeVito has a bit more to do this time, with a “good guy, bad guy” persona that means you’re never quite sure whether he’s really trying to help or not. Avner Eisenberg is very funny in his role, but I can’t tell you much about his character or it would give away a major part of the plot. None of the cast disappoint, and the stars throw some gusto into their performances.

The script is possibly better than the one for Romancing the Stone, with more plot twists, even more humour, certainly more inventiveness (rare in a sequel!), and an overall slickness that the first film didn’t quite have. (In contrast, that had a more “raw” feel to it.) Taking over the directorial reigns is Lewis Teague, who seems to have done a bit of everything in his career (see http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0853546/). I’m not really familiar with most of his work but if this wasn’t his finest hour, it must certainly be close, and almost definitely his most well-known film. Taking over the helm from Robert Zimerkis would be no easy feat for anyone, but Teague manages to inject this film with the same madcap style of action and humour, perhaps even improving on it somewhat. Everything about the film, from the acting to the music to the script, seems almost perfect. I’m sure that there are many things that critics have picked holes in this for, but for sheer enjoyment factor it has rarely been equalled since. The only real thing I can level against this is the profanity and some slightly dodgy humour, which means younger children will probably not see a film that they would quite enjoy. There’s not a huge amount, but enough to make it inappropriate for most minors.

Overall this is one of the most enjoyable, and funniest, action movies I’ve ever seen. Doesn’t suffer greatly from repeated viewings, either.

Runtime: 106 minutes
Rating: PG (UK & USA)

Quotes

[Omar has put Jack and Joan in a deathtrap copied from one of Joan's own books]
Jack Colton: So how'd your guys get out of that one?
Joan Wilder: My hero used a hidden knife to cut through the ropes. You don't happen to have a knife on you?
Jack Colton: I'm not even wearing underwear.

Joan Wilder: Don't be ridiculous! Jack would never die without telling me.

[While surrounded by native Africans]
Jack Colton: Just keep smiling. Maybe they'll think we're with National Geographic.


The Jewel of the Nile is one of my Top Ten Action / Adventure Movies… well okay, one of my Top 23… I just can’t keep these lists down to ten!!


Recommended:
Yes