**** SPOILERS FOLLOW ****

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Quite a mouthful for a
title but perhaps fitting for a movie that looks like it is going to generate
some heated debate. Whatever way you eventually feel about the movie, it is
without doubt one of, if not the biggest film event since Star Wars: Episode
One back in 1999 and you owe it to yourself to see it.

I still remember going to the cinema to see Indiana Jones and the Last
Crusade nineteen years ago, in the Savoy in Dublin. It is one of those
memories that I will always treasure. It was a surprise trip with a group of
friends. When we left the cinema we were all on a high from the movie and
spent the day all wishing we could be Indiana Jones. It has been a long wait
and a nervous one ever since it was confirmed that a new film was in
production. There were so many questions. How would Harrison Ford cope with
the physicality of the role? Can they capture the spirit of the original
movies? How much influence would George Lucas have? Having seen the movie I
can at least answer two of those questions positively and hey, two and out of
three is not bad.

First let me say that I really enjoyed the movie. It is an action adventure
movie first and foremost, I do not think it pretends to be anything other
than that. As such, it has to deliver on the action front and it does - in
spades. The opening action sequence immediately dispels any doubts over Fords
ability to play the role. From here on in you forget that he is now much
older and he is simply Indy as he was all those years ago. The action beats
range from the vaguely realistic to the totally preposterous but never fail
to entertain. I was particularly taken with the truck convoy chase through
the jungle. I will acknowledge that it was insanely over the top and brought
to mind one of the weaker effects sequences from Peter Jackson's King Kong.
However, it was so much fun that you cannot help but love it all the same.
Bazookas, sword fighting between vehicles, fistfights and giant ants what
more can you ask for?

I was also particularly fond of the motorcycle chase from earlier in the
film. It was more old school in its direction and I think you can see Dan
Bradley's (stunt co-coordinator on the Bourne franchise) influence shine
through in this sequence. This scene had more physicality to it, it may also
be because looked to have a total absence of CG trickery. Indy being pulled
from the bike into the chasing car and then fighting his way to the opposite
window and climbing back on the bike is right up there in the hit list of
Indy stunts. When you think of Indy climbing under the moving Nazi truck in
Raiders, or Indy fighting on top of a tank in Last Crusade you can now add
this sequence from Crystal Skull.

The feel of the movie really does capture the spirit of the originals. It
follows the well established format set out before - the opening action
sequence, the downtime when we get some heavy plot exposition and then the
adventure starts and continues till the very end. The humour of the previous
movies is all present and correct too. For me it is the small moments that
make this movie. The 'punch Joe college' moment, the sand trap scene, the
hints at past adventures they all combine to make the experience as a whole
so satisfying.

I've already mentioned Ford's ability to play the role physically, but he
also handles the acting side of things just fine. His comic timing is still
there and he still radiates this feeling that he is the type of guy who you'd
like to have as a friend. Thinking of the cast made me remember something
that this movie has over the other films - a really likeable sidekick (I
consider Sean Connery to be his mentor, not a sidekick). Shia LaBeouf's
character Mutt is as good a sidekick your likely to get. Short Round anyone?
Give me Mutt any day. I like the tough guy image he projects but you can at
times see how frightened he is at the situation he has gotten himself into.
The bonding scenes between LaBeouf and Ford came across as very genuine too;
they are two of the better written characters. I think that Cate Blanchett
does a good job with what she is given but her character is a little too
one-dimensional. We do not get to know anything really about her background
or motivation other than she is a loyal solider of the Soviet Union. Ray
Winstone is a good addition to the cast, always a reliable actor he does a
good solid job here. Of all the actors and they are all good actors it is
John Hurt who has the least to do. For such a terrific actor he is criminally
underused, reduced to a silly comedy sideshow act, he is only given something
relevant to say in the final two minutes.

I was really impressed with the look of the movie. It was bright and
colourful and seemed to have a really crisp sheen to the whole proceedings. A
lot of praise must go to Spielberg for putting all this together on film
because there is a lot going on here. The plot is not exactly straightforward
and there is not much time for exposition between action scenes. However, he
still finds time for some iconic shots - especially the introduction of Indy,
putting on his fedora in silhouette. Sublime.

I have said a lot about the parts that pleased me but there are a few
elements that left me cold. The story is perhaps one of the weaker in the
series of films, although it might be stronger than Temple of Doom's. One of
the questions I posed at the start of the review was how much influence
George Lucas would have. Unfortunately, it appears to have been too much. I
think it is safe to assume that the alien (and that is what they were, forget
the "inter-dimensional beings" guff) aspects were championed by Lucas. Sorry
if that is a massive spoiler but you were warned. He seems to be totally
preoccupied with alien beings and he obviously is not happy with keeping it
confined to the Star Wars universe and has seen fit to bring it into Indy's
world. I will be interested to hear if reports come out over time of how
accommodating Spielberg was to this idea. I think that the story line would
have worked better if the alien aspect were expunged. They could still be
looking for a crystal skull and the lost city of El Dorado. That would make
an interesting film; there is no need for the skull to be alien in origin.
Someone should have shown Lucas, Spielberg and Ford (for he has a lot of
influence) the movie Stargate before green lighting this script.

There were some other problems, most notably the lack of a very strong
baddie. I already said that Blanchett's Agent Spalko was one-dimensional and
you never really get the feeling that she is capable of killing Indy. In
fact, after Indy survives a nuclear explosion you get the feeling he might
just be invulnerable. Although, he did drink from the cup of ever lasting
life in Last Crusade so there is some justification for his amazing survival.
I think the 'monkeys' scene is destined for the wrong kind of movie
notoriety. And why has Karen Allen (Marianne Ravenwood) got a smile
permanently on her face when faced with the certain of not just herself but
her son too?

At this point you will have to forgive me if this review turns into a bit of
a rant. I have heard a lot of negative comments about this latest Indiana
Jones but the majority of these comments are in my opinion base on a fallacy.
And that is, that the first three Indy films all contain amazingly complex
and wonderful storylines, terrific character development, Oscar worthy
dialogue and realistic action scenes. These are the thoughts of people who
are looking back with rose tinted glasses on a series of movies that have not
been in the cinema in 19 years

Let us look at the facts. Indiana Jones has never been realistic. There are
so many examples to draw upon to prove this point and this needs to be proven
so people can stop beating Crystal Skull with big fat fraudulent stick.

- The Ark of the Covenant contains the Wrath of God that will send forth
ghosts to melt the faces of people with open eyes.
- People can live with their heart ripped out.
- Drinking from the cup of ever lasting life will give you immortality and
heal gunshot wounds.
- Having a conversation with an 800-year-old knight from the Crusades is an
everyday occurrence.

Suddenly having aliens in the movie does not seem all the unrealistic to me.
In fact, it is in keeping with the outlandish stories of the past movies. I
am always willing to listen to a point of view but some of the negativity
this film is gathering could have been averted if these people had their
facts straight.

I hope this review does not pigeon hole me as some kind of Indiana Jones
fanboy. I would not consider myself to be such because not even I can defend
Temple of Doom. However, for this movie I feel I had to voice my opinion on
what I consider to be unfair criticisms. I have only seen the Crystal Skull
once and have not had time yet to decide where to rank it against the other
three. My first reaction is to say that Raiders and Last Crusade can rest
easy but Crystal Skull will probably overtake Temple of Doom in my critical
rating. The bottom line is Indiana Jones promises action adventure and you
get it in the traditional spirit of the Indy movies.


****

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Blog | Photos | Thissiteison

Very good review ..So the man in the hat is back with his side kick bullwhip ..dusted down and revamped. I look forward to seeing this.

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If you believe in what you only see? there are many lies and many hidden truths.

You read my post without seeing the movie first? I'm glad I put the spoiler warning in there, so you can't kill me.

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Oh I couldn't resist. Like a red rag to a bullwhip

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If you believe in what you only see? there are many lies and many hidden truths.

***spoilers too ya big fool ***

Aliens FTL, alien space craft FTL, CG ants FTL.

Otherwise I found it enjoyable enough. I agree that the villain is not explained properly. Its just, hi I'm from the KBG and am therefore evil.

I liked the filming style and by that I mean the colours and general style to capture the decade. I liked the motor bike bit too and the fight in the diner.

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Myself and "she who must be obeyed" are going to see this tonight. Not really an Indy fan, kind of repetitive but I got talked into it.

After reading the review I might actually enjoy it.

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I went to see this this evening. Your review pretty much sums it up The40Watt.
It was a good action adventure film overall.
I was expecting it to be rubbish after hearing a few reviews but while it wasnt mind blowing it was fairly enjoyable.
Id give it 3 1/2 stars.

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I saw the film a second time last night and I still feel the same way about it. I would be a bit more critical of the way the film ends now than when I saw it first. I think that is because I enjoy the film so much until the final 10 minutes and I knew what was coming was going to spoil it a little.

With Indy out of the way now, I'm well and truly ready for The Dark Knight.

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I thought the ending made it from an 8 into a 6 as a movie if I'm throwing random numbers at things

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I don't watch movies but thanks a million for taking time to write up the review, much appreciated

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