"I don't think he plans that far ahead."
Outside of a military base two men are pulled from the trunk of a car, surrounded by angry men with automatic weaponry. One is acclaimed anthropologist Indiana Jones (Ford) who has information needed by his captives. The Soviets, led by the severe Irina Spalko (Blanchett), seek a box in Area 51 which Indy investigated years before. The Soviets get what they want, and Indy gets away, only to find the adventure has just begun.
Two of Indy's old friends have been kidnapped, so he teams up with Mutt Williams (LaBeouf) to retrace their steps. They travel to South America and follow the clues left by Indy's mentor Professor "Ox" Oxley (Hurt), who lost his mind looking for a mystical crystal skull. As the clues fall into place they are reunited with their missing friends: Ox and Indy's former flame Marion Ravenwood (Allen), and their Soviet captors as the quest intensifies.
After a 19 year hiatus, I wasn't sure if this film would work. I'm a fan of the other films (except the Temple of Doom, although it has been a few years since I last saw it), and didn't want to find out this one was crap (like the newer Star Wars movies...what were they thinking?). Yes, Indy doesn't look like an action star, but he can still pull it off. You can feel the adrenaline boost in the opening sequence of the film with the start of the Indy theme and seeing his shadow (you don't actually see his face until about 4 minutes into the film). The best action occurs early in the film, but overall there are some cool stunts (like the sword fight on the back of Jeeps). This film follows Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
It is an ok film... but it is hard to call it an Indiana Jones film. It was nice to see Karen Allen (the love interest from the first Indy film Raiders of the Lost Ark), and the familiar interaction between Marion and Indy. The rest of the cast is o.k., but the characters of Marcus Brody (Denholm Elliott died in 1992), Sallah (John Rhys-Davies), and Henry (Sean Connery is retired) are greatly missed. The chemistry with the new team works, but I wasn't too attached to John Hurt's character. My only problem with the film was the skull. I don't want to give away too much, but the mythology leaves a lot to be desired. It asks you to believe too much. There is a rumor of another Indy film, which would be great, but they need to embrace what made the other films work (have Indy look for something people have heard of, like the Holy Grail or the Ark of the Covenant).
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) 122 minutes
Rating: Rated PG-13 for adventure violence and scary images.
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones
Cate Blanchett as Irina Spalko
Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood
Shia LaBeouf as Mutt Williams
Ray Winstone as Mac
John Hurt as Professor "Ox" Oxley
Jim Broadbent as Dean Charles Stanforth
Two of Indy's old friends have been kidnapped, so he teams up with Mutt Williams (LaBeouf) to retrace their steps. They travel to South America and follow the clues left by Indy's mentor Professor "Ox" Oxley (Hurt), who lost his mind looking for a mystical crystal skull. As the clues fall into place they are reunited with their missing friends: Ox and Indy's former flame Marion Ravenwood (Allen), and their Soviet captors as the quest intensifies.
After a 19 year hiatus, I wasn't sure if this film would work. I'm a fan of the other films (except the Temple of Doom, although it has been a few years since I last saw it), and didn't want to find out this one was crap (like the newer Star Wars movies...what were they thinking?). Yes, Indy doesn't look like an action star, but he can still pull it off. You can feel the adrenaline boost in the opening sequence of the film with the start of the Indy theme and seeing his shadow (you don't actually see his face until about 4 minutes into the film). The best action occurs early in the film, but overall there are some cool stunts (like the sword fight on the back of Jeeps). This film follows Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
It is an ok film... but it is hard to call it an Indiana Jones film. It was nice to see Karen Allen (the love interest from the first Indy film Raiders of the Lost Ark), and the familiar interaction between Marion and Indy. The rest of the cast is o.k., but the characters of Marcus Brody (Denholm Elliott died in 1992), Sallah (John Rhys-Davies), and Henry (Sean Connery is retired) are greatly missed. The chemistry with the new team works, but I wasn't too attached to John Hurt's character. My only problem with the film was the skull. I don't want to give away too much, but the mythology leaves a lot to be desired. It asks you to believe too much. There is a rumor of another Indy film, which would be great, but they need to embrace what made the other films work (have Indy look for something people have heard of, like the Holy Grail or the Ark of the Covenant).
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) 122 minutes
Rating: Rated PG-13 for adventure violence and scary images.
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones
Cate Blanchett as Irina Spalko
Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood
Shia LaBeouf as Mutt Williams
Ray Winstone as Mac
John Hurt as Professor "Ox" Oxley
Jim Broadbent as Dean Charles Stanforth
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