Hey there.
Back again with another movie review. This time, it's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull", the second of the Five Films That I Want To See this summer.
Now, before I give you my review, let me take you back. I was about 9 or so when I was first introduced to Indiana Jones, with "Raiders of the Lost Ark". I was blown away by this movie as a kid and to this day, it ranks up pretty high as one of my all time favorite movies. Of course, I loved the other films in the series (Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade) as well.
At the time Last Crusade ended, I was content to believe that this was it, the last movie of the series. And, as time went on, it was becoming more and more apparent that it would be it.
Until now.
Since Indy 4 came out, there's been two camps: those who absolutely liked it and those who flat out hated it.
My verdict?
I liked it.
Here's why. First of all, it's not the Indy films of the past. And I feel many of the haters came in expecting it to be like it was some 27 years ago.
It's not.
Harrison Ford is in his mid sixties now. He's not the guy we know from the original trilogy. Yes, he can still kick your butt without blinking an eye, but he's older so you gotta accept that going in.
Second, the story's changed. We're in a whole new landscape now, especially since the movie takes place some nineteen years after Last Crusade. This time, the Soviets are the bad guys and we're dealing with some new more mystical badness in the case of the crystal skulls that serve as the centerpiece of the film.
The film's beginning, complete with a 50s style soundtrack, was a definite hook. And then seeing Ford back in the fedora and the whip was just like seeing an old friend. From there, the story is off and running with some nice action sequences. Another nice touch is how those sequences play into how Indy is now.
The middle part was a bit slow, but then a couple of factors come along to pick things up. When we get introduced to Indy's new "sidekick", Mutt (Shia LeBeouf), who gets on Indy with several zingers about his age and the like, and then later when Indy's reunited with Marian (Karen Allen) his love interest from Raiders, the film becomes the thrill ride that all of us Indy fans are used to, with witty banter, some well done action sequences and the creepy crawlies thrown in.
The one weak link in this has to be Cate Blanchett as Agent Spirko, the Russian in charge of finding the coveted crystal skulls for their own gain. Compared to some of the other villians in the series, she wasn't much of a worthy foe, especially with her accent. And the eventual climax didn't have the epic feel as compared to the others.
But you know what? I still liked the film. I went into this movie with an open mind and knowing that this wasn't going to be like the trilogy. As far as I was concerned, this was a new chapter in the Indy saga, with some new twists and turns and some new additions, especially with Mutt and Marian.
Once you go into that, the film was a great ride. Ford didn't miss a beat with the wise cracks and fight scenes that we've come to expect from our globe trotting archeologist. Sure he's older and wiser now, but he hadn't changed one bit. And as far as I was concerned, knowing that made the film worthwhile.
Was this the best of the series? Of course not, and it would be unfair to compare them to the classic movies. But, on its own ground, its own merits, I wasn't disappointed by this at all.
Now, if this is the last we'll see of Indy, this movie ends on a good note for us longtime fans. And, if there's a chance for a Indy 5 ( and with the huge amount of money it's taken in worldwide, that may not be out of the question), it has the possibility taking on a whole new dynamic. Note to Spielburg and Lucas: if you do make another one, don't wait nineteen plus years next time.
So in the end, I liked it. The man in the hat is back and like an old friend who you hadn't seen in a while, it was good to see Indy one more time.
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