Was thinking about the Indiana Jones movies and; Raiders establishes a pattern where Indy doesn’t get what he wants (the Ark) but what he needs (resolution with Marion). Imho it also works because “barely escapes alive, uncredited” is sort of a film noir ending and the movie’s already established as an older genre pastiche.
Temple of Doom does a happy ending instead; Indy wins but who cares? he doesn’t really resolve anything personal. Which is fun but not satisfying. Last Crusade works for me because it’s the formula; he doesn’t get the Grail or Ilse, but his father finally accepts him for who he is. And Crystal Skull tanks because it makes the formula Dad fantasy; instead of acknowledging Marion and Mutt as awesome in their own right, both of them wind up being subservient to Indy.
