How do you review three movies that have not only become permanent layers within our pop-culture fabric, but films that have already been given the red carpet treatment on DVD? In two simple words - you don’t. It’s a foregone no-brainer that I don’t need to school anyone on Indiana Jones. If you haven’t seen the films by now, well, it’s probably better if I helped you out of your 20 year coma by saying it’s now 2008, VHS is dead, Arsenio Hall is nowhere to be found, and that guy from ER is the biggest movie star in the world. Harrison Ford is still a big star and it looks like he’ll still be able to draw a huge crowd on May 22. As a home entertainment lead-in to the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Paramount has reissued all three films on DVD with new extras in Indiana Jones: The Adventure Collection.

Even if you’ve been hopping across the globe on your own archaeological adventures for the past couple of years, we’d still bet the farm that you’ve heard Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull opens later this month. Given how Harrison Ford’s career went into hyperspace with the first Star Wars trilogy, it’s literally amazing how Ford went from one legendary blockbuster to another without skipping a beat. Depending on what type of cinematic geek you talk to, Ford is either Han Solo or Indiana Jones. For the sake of this review, he’s Indiana Jones.

Although some reissued films on DVD aren’t worth your time unless there’s something new to talk about, I’m willing to cut Indy some slack since it’s been 5 years since the last DVD collection, 20 years since there’s been buzz of any kind surrounding the franchise, and the obvious effort was made to give fans new extras. However, this three disc set would be much more appropriate as a stand alone single disc Bonus Edition or an add-on extras disc to the previously released box set. All three films - Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, The Last Crusade - look to be the same Special Edition prints carried over from the 2003 set, with the same audio options of English Dolby Digital 5.1 and French and Spanish alternate language tracks. If you’ve seen or own the earlier Complete Movie Collection, you already know the technical specs are first rate across the board. It’s the same for the new Adventure Collection.

If you’re pumped for the new Indy film, you’ll be happy to know each disc begins with the trailer for The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. If you’re not pumped yet, there’s a good, calculated chance you will be when your Adventure Collection experience comes to a close.

In the way of special features, each film holds their own unique collection of new extras, beginning with Raiders, which starts off with intro interviews with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas while fans also get a taste of a few behind-the-scenes clips and other visual imagery from the film. The interviews with Spielberg and Lucas are a nice touch as they talk about the film and create a fitting personal tone throughout the set. Although the disc serves up several interesting looks at the film via storyboards (for the "Well of Souls" sequence) and image galleries, the best bangs for your buck come in the form of "The Melting Face," which explores how the technical team created one of the most memorable scenes of the entire franchise, and "Indiana Jones: An Appreciation," which features the cast of the new Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull as they share their thoughts on what the first three films meant to them. Also, fans of the Lego Indiana Jones game get a nod with the official trailer.

The format continues on Temple of Doom with a second Spielberg/Lucas intro, but the extras offer a bit more entertainment value in the way of optional trivia pops and cover more ground from the Indy world with a look at the many creatures and locations across all three movies in "Creepy Crawlies" and "Travel With Indy: Locations." While the storyboards break down the memorable "Mine Cart Chase," a great extra for those who have ever jumped onboard the Indy Ride at either Disney theme parks, the disc closes out with relevant Temple of Doom image galleries and another Lego Indy game trailer. Although there’s a bit more promo on the first disc, Temple of Doom is a lot more friendly, fun, and appealing on a geeky fan level.

Closing out the set, The Last Crusade serves up another Spielberg/Lucas intro in the same format as the first two discs, a storyboard break down of the opening sequence of the third movie, and more film-relevant image galleries just like the others. Fans will also be keen on what they’ll find here, as Indy gals Karen Allen, Kate Capshaw and Alison Doody reunite for a discussion to share their experiences in "Indy's Women: The American Film Institute Tribute." Unlike the other discs, which slant more toward the lore and technical world, The Last Crusade feels a bit more personal (symbolically, almost like a commentary) since we see all three actresses in a candid light. It’s a great break from the higher-concept type of segments. Lastly, the "Indy’s Friends and Enemies" focuses on just that - the many actors, characters, and people Dr. Jones has encountered in his adventures.

Overall, if this is your first Indiana Jones Collection on DVD, you’ll be pleased with what you find for its efficiency. However, given the more comprehensive and complete 2003 set that’s out there, which is over four hours deep in special features, the Adventure Collection is nothing more than a highlighted edition that’s hard to rave about. It’s fun and high quality, but we could have been better served with single disc "Crystal Skull Pump Up Edition" with the included bonuses.