Still haven't read the novel yet - going to try and hang on until it's all done. But I seem to remember Indy does a fair bit of tinkering about in and repairing Atlantean machinery, that could be cut down a lot. The orichalcum machine is cool, and important to the storyline, but having to carry a cupful of lava around to power it up is pretty unbelievable. Maybe a way to take out the guard holding Sophia captive that puts Indy in greater danger than just popping a bead in a statue?
Quite like the fragile lava tiles near the end, hope they stay...
"Ixnay on the ornopay, jerkweed."