REVIEW: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Loved it. I thing it was fun from beginning to end and a worthy addition to the franchise. Set in the 1950s with Russians as the enemies this time, it takes us from the Nevada test site to a lost city in Peru with tons of action along the way. The film has a very cool look and a nostalgic flavor. It should do very well. I think it’s probably the second best one after the first. I really don’t understand some of the negative reviews I’ve seen (though most are positive). It certainly doesn’t have that Lucas lameness except for a tribute to Tarzan movies and some really absurd escape sequences. But hey, it’s meant to be fun. I went along with it.

The audience I was with applauded at the end. I did too. 

I didn’t think the film was bad, either.

As good as Raiders or Temple of Doom?  Umm, probably not.  At least as good as The Last Crusade.  Yeah, I could buy that.  A better experience than the last 3 Star Wars and last 4 Star Trek movies for me?  Yep!

(If you’re looking for BAD Indiana Jones, then it doesn’t get much worse than the “Young Indiana Jones” TV shows.  From what little saw, it came off pedantic and more than a little boring.  Bashers of The Crystal Skull just don’t know what bad is!  And I swear I will throttle the next idiot who says in public that the filmmakers “raped their childhood”.  That is the dumbest and most senseless commenting people make online other than saying it’s okay to allow pedophiles out of jail.)

Not too surprised that some ex-Soviet communists are having problems with this film… But, some of things alluded to in this film DID indeed happen under Stalin.  That guy initiated or otherwise supported a lot of crazy projects and occult research.  Just like his other fellow left-winger, Adolph!

I am of the opinion, though, that they shouldn’t make another Indiana Jones film.  I sort of went in knowing or having guessed a lot of what would happen in the film (although I didn’t see a reconciliation and the final scene happening) and I also went in with lowered expectations.  It still exceeded my most pessimistic optimism by quite a bit.  It’s a good way to end a film series while they’re ahead and before it sinks into parody.

Posted by  on  05/23  at  08:12 PM

I hate Temple of Doom. It’s crass and full of embarrassing stuff like Short Round and Kate Capshaw. I like the opening, though.

I agree they should quit while they’re ahead. The series does have a limited kind of reach story-wise.

Personally, I thought the Russians got off light. Kate Blanchett’s character could have been a lot more evil and hateful. She just seemed like a cold, strange chick.

Posted by  on  05/23  at  09:04 PM

I enjoyed the movie a lot, too. I’d be all for more sequels, but they’d better not wait another 19 years. As for putting the Indy movies in order, for me it would be: 1. Raiders 2. Last Crusade 3. Crystal Skull 4. Temple of Doom, with #2 and #3 a virtual tie. Last Crusade wins out because it was the last movie I took my Dad to, and he enjoyed it.

Posted by  on  05/27  at  05:37 AM

I read they have two more planned, but they will make them more focused on the son, I guess so they can easy into a Shia replacing Ford if they want to keep it going further.

Posted by  on  05/27  at  12:41 PM

excellent movie, however i must point out that i am intrigued by the story of the crystal skulls to begin with.

Posted by Art Approaching  on  06/02  at  03:05 PM
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