Ornament Review: Retrieving the Idol - 2009 Hallmark Ornament

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Mostly good details, fun "magic" element

Cons: Indy's face, not balanced

The Bottom Line: 

Classic Indy scene

Captured by fun ornaments

With the theme to boot

Snatching That Idol Just Will Not Work, Indiana Jones

There are many iconic moments in film, and I would argue that Indiana Jones snatching the idol at the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of them.  In 2009, Hallmark chose that moment for their first ornament based on a scene from one of the movies.  Retrieving the Idol is the fun result.

In the scene in the movie, Indy tries to grab an idol and replace it quickly with a sandbag of the same weight to trick the sensors guarding it.  This ornament captures the moment just before he tries to make the exchange.  Indiana is leaning over the pedestal the idol is on, and it is still in the middle.  In his right hand is the sand bag; his left is reaching out for the idol.

Hallmark ornaments are great for their detail, and this one is no exception.  You can see the carvings in the pedestal the idol is resting on as well as the rock Indiana is standing on.  The idol is actually gold colored and shines.  You can even see the appropriate wrinkles and creases in his clothes and the satchel at his back.

That's why the lack of details in his face is a surprising.  He looks like Harrison Ford did in the movie, but just barely.  Of course, since you have to tip the ornament way back to see his face at all, it isn't much of an issue.

This is a magic ornament, which means it plays music.  Just press a button hidden on the pedestal pretty much in a straight line from Indy's left knee.  When you press it, you hear John William's famous theme to the movies.  You do need three button batteries inserted in the compartment hidden on the bottom of the ornament.

The ornament is a little bigger than your normal ornament, about four inches long and wide at the biggest points.  It takes up a little more room on the tree, but it is worth it if you're a fan of the movie.

Because Indiana is standing next to the pedestal the idol is on, this ornament winds up with a nice wide base, making it level if displayed on a shelf.  There is a hook on Indiana's hat so you can hang it from your tree.  It hangs slightly to one corner, but not enough to be a big problem.  You can easily fix that with how you position it on your tree.  What's funny is the heavy side isn't an area I thought would be heavy.  It's not where the batteries are or where I would think the music chip is located.  Shows all I know, I guess.

Retrieving the Idol has a few flaws, but it is still worth getting.  Pop culture fans, especially those who love Indiana Jones, will love having it.

Original Price: $18.95