I consider Raiders of the Lost Ark the greatest adventure film of all time, so Temple of Doom is certainly a step down. However, I still love it, in some ways more than Last Crusade, which feels more like a Raiders retread. The presence of Sean Connery is the trump card that elevates it above Temple of Doom.

As a nine-year-old I loved how extreme Temple of Doom turned out. So yes, excessively violent, not to mention arguably sexist and racist too, but still massively entertaining. I might write an article offering a respectful rebuttal to your point here. :)