Hey everyone, I just got back from seeing the fourth installment to the Indiana Jones series. My review is below, but, before I begin, I warn there there will be some spoilers up ahead.
As you may or may not know, the film takes place ninteeen years following the events of The Last Cruisade, a fitting timeframe since that's the same amount of time since the last film was released. Henry Senior and Marcus Broady are deceased, meanwhile, Sallah is nowhere to be seen or heard. Meanwhile, Indiana is still teaching at Barnett College. The film opens up in the Nervada desert at a secret Government location (while not explicitly stated, it's possible that it is Area 51). Indiana has been captured by the Soviets to locate and recover an artifact that they refuse to talk about. Indiana finds it, but only with his life after an exhillerating truck chase.
Indiana returns home to be approached by a young man named Mutt who informs him that a previous colleague of Indy is not in good mental health after following the trail of a mysterious crystal skull. Albeit their differences, the pair team up to follow in his footsteps to uncover the mystery of the Crystal skull, only to encounter the Russian army and the revelation with an old friend, Marion.
As with the previous 3 Indiana Jones films, the story is straight forward and without its complications so the audience aren't required to think to hard while paying attention to the adrenaline filled action on the screen. The story as a whole is quite rewarding, if it took them 19 years to find this story amongst a collection of others that weren't up to this standard, Lucas and Speilberg have chosen very well.
Now the the big one: Mr. Ford. Can he still do it? YES! While age from time to time shows (who doesn't change in 19 years?), he still look remarkably convincing in the costume and has a great knack for line delivery and timing. Meanwhile, his fight scenes still look great, though not as energetic as the first three films to obviously allow for his age.
Performance wise, the film is generally quite good. Cate Blanchett (as Irina) plays the villain in this story, a harderened Russian Soviet in search of the skull. The audience is also further treated to Karen Allen reprising her role as Marion who carries her portrayal with just as much energy and life as seen in Raiders of the Lost Arc. Unfortunately, the same thing cannot be said for Shia LaBeouf, Indy's side-kick. Shaia plays Mutt who is quite tough and filled with adrenaline. From time to time, I felt it was just Shaia trying to be tough rather than investing the time in building a character, it just felt quite rushed on his part.
What is also more noticable in Crystal Skull is the use of CGI. Since it's now the twenty-first century, there's a lot more of it used in this film as the first three. Reasons for this would include expenses, insurance for actors, time, asthetics etc...but gone are the days of using real rats, snakes or bugs. While the CGI is convincing and generally in good proportion by not saturating anywhere near as much as the latest Star Wars trillogy, sometimes the CGI can be a bit much. One particular scene comes to mind where a Russian soldier is being devoured by a million bull-ants. However, the ending is stunning and deserved the CGI treatment it got, if not impossible without it.
Before I continue, I warn now: the following paragraph discloses information about the story which will give away the ending and a secret you'd rather discover for yourself. You have been warned.
One more thing that didn't work for me, a story device, where Mutt turns out to be Indiana's son with Marion as his mother. For me, this didn't work. Firstly, Shaia's performace as mentioned before was disappointing. Secondly, the chemistry wasn't very convincing, even for a father aged 65 who has met his son for the first time. Thirdly, it felt like an attempt to rebuild the "father/son" chemistry seen in Last Cruisade by adding this dynamic of Mother, Father and Son. This also connects to my disappointment with the ending: Indy and Marion get married. It happens very suddenly and there isn't a lot of time for the between Indy and Marion to build, which doesn't really make the wedding a "pay-off" for the two characters. Let's not forget, Marion was only in 1 Indiana film. As a positive, if this is to be the final Indiana Jones film, this is a positive and optimistic way to do it. However, if there is to be an Indiana Jones 5, which has been vaguely alluded to by Speilberg (Harrison Ford has even expressed interest in it), it would be pretty hard to follow up after this story, that is of course they make a prequel like they did with Temple of Doom.
Nevertheless, while these three points (CGI, Shaia and some story elements)are disappointing, it doesn't prevent this film from being fantastic. Great story, loveable characters and exhillerating action. Plus, to boot, there is a very touching tribute to Sean Connery and Denholm Elliot. Overall, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is heavily faithful to the formula of the classic Indiana films with a few modern tweaks to spice things up. For this, the movie is a strong, cohesive and enjoyable 2 hours guaranteed to please the fans of the original. Think Raiders of the Lost Arc meets The Last Cruisade. A high note for the series to end on.
4 out of 5.
As you may or may not know, the film takes place ninteeen years following the events of The Last Cruisade, a fitting timeframe since that's the same amount of time since the last film was released. Henry Senior and Marcus Broady are deceased, meanwhile, Sallah is nowhere to be seen or heard. Meanwhile, Indiana is still teaching at Barnett College. The film opens up in the Nervada desert at a secret Government location (while not explicitly stated, it's possible that it is Area 51). Indiana has been captured by the Soviets to locate and recover an artifact that they refuse to talk about. Indiana finds it, but only with his life after an exhillerating truck chase.
Indiana returns home to be approached by a young man named Mutt who informs him that a previous colleague of Indy is not in good mental health after following the trail of a mysterious crystal skull. Albeit their differences, the pair team up to follow in his footsteps to uncover the mystery of the Crystal skull, only to encounter the Russian army and the revelation with an old friend, Marion.
As with the previous 3 Indiana Jones films, the story is straight forward and without its complications so the audience aren't required to think to hard while paying attention to the adrenaline filled action on the screen. The story as a whole is quite rewarding, if it took them 19 years to find this story amongst a collection of others that weren't up to this standard, Lucas and Speilberg have chosen very well.
Now the the big one: Mr. Ford. Can he still do it? YES! While age from time to time shows (who doesn't change in 19 years?), he still look remarkably convincing in the costume and has a great knack for line delivery and timing. Meanwhile, his fight scenes still look great, though not as energetic as the first three films to obviously allow for his age.
Performance wise, the film is generally quite good. Cate Blanchett (as Irina) plays the villain in this story, a harderened Russian Soviet in search of the skull. The audience is also further treated to Karen Allen reprising her role as Marion who carries her portrayal with just as much energy and life as seen in Raiders of the Lost Arc. Unfortunately, the same thing cannot be said for Shia LaBeouf, Indy's side-kick. Shaia plays Mutt who is quite tough and filled with adrenaline. From time to time, I felt it was just Shaia trying to be tough rather than investing the time in building a character, it just felt quite rushed on his part.
What is also more noticable in Crystal Skull is the use of CGI. Since it's now the twenty-first century, there's a lot more of it used in this film as the first three. Reasons for this would include expenses, insurance for actors, time, asthetics etc...but gone are the days of using real rats, snakes or bugs. While the CGI is convincing and generally in good proportion by not saturating anywhere near as much as the latest Star Wars trillogy, sometimes the CGI can be a bit much. One particular scene comes to mind where a Russian soldier is being devoured by a million bull-ants. However, the ending is stunning and deserved the CGI treatment it got, if not impossible without it.
Before I continue, I warn now: the following paragraph discloses information about the story which will give away the ending and a secret you'd rather discover for yourself. You have been warned.
One more thing that didn't work for me, a story device, where Mutt turns out to be Indiana's son with Marion as his mother. For me, this didn't work. Firstly, Shaia's performace as mentioned before was disappointing. Secondly, the chemistry wasn't very convincing, even for a father aged 65 who has met his son for the first time. Thirdly, it felt like an attempt to rebuild the "father/son" chemistry seen in Last Cruisade by adding this dynamic of Mother, Father and Son. This also connects to my disappointment with the ending: Indy and Marion get married. It happens very suddenly and there isn't a lot of time for the between Indy and Marion to build, which doesn't really make the wedding a "pay-off" for the two characters. Let's not forget, Marion was only in 1 Indiana film. As a positive, if this is to be the final Indiana Jones film, this is a positive and optimistic way to do it. However, if there is to be an Indiana Jones 5, which has been vaguely alluded to by Speilberg (Harrison Ford has even expressed interest in it), it would be pretty hard to follow up after this story, that is of course they make a prequel like they did with Temple of Doom.
Nevertheless, while these three points (CGI, Shaia and some story elements)are disappointing, it doesn't prevent this film from being fantastic. Great story, loveable characters and exhillerating action. Plus, to boot, there is a very touching tribute to Sean Connery and Denholm Elliot. Overall, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is heavily faithful to the formula of the classic Indiana films with a few modern tweaks to spice things up. For this, the movie is a strong, cohesive and enjoyable 2 hours guaranteed to please the fans of the original. Think Raiders of the Lost Arc meets The Last Cruisade. A high note for the series to end on.
4 out of 5.
To summarise this film I'd say its basically IDENTICAL to Pandora Directive, only set in 1957 and with Harrison Ford instead of Chris Jones.
Ultimately I thought the film lacked originality and mimiced Lucas' and Speilburg's earlier works such as First Encounters and American Grafiti.
The fact that only 1 animal was real pissed me off - the rest were all GG.
Harrison Ford is the only thing that saved this film for me.
I give it 2/5 - it really was that bad.
If you want something better, Watch National Treasure and its sequel, they are far better IMO.
Ultimately I thought the film lacked originality and mimiced Lucas' and Speilburg's earlier works such as First Encounters and American Grafiti.
The fact that only 1 animal was real pissed me off - the rest were all GG.
Harrison Ford is the only thing that saved this film for me.
I give it 2/5 - it really was that bad.
If you want something better, Watch National Treasure and its sequel, they are far better IMO.
**no spoilers in this post**
I agree with you both. I was lucky enough to see it in a cinema equipped with the new 4K Digital Ultra-HD Projector... the picture was absolutely STUNNING... it was crystal clear (pun intended)!
That being said, it also meant I was able to see (and scrutinize) pretty much everything CG related (including the sometimes awful composting in the shots, a-la; car chase scene), and while it did disappoint a little (and only a little I might add), if there is anything I learnt from the Indiana Jones films is that non-perfect computer effects are nothing to take away from the film itself. Mind you, what the previous 3 films had over this one in terms of computer aided effects was that wonderful word: 'moderation'. It seems they did over use it in this film... but that's modern cinema: why bother taking the time to train animals and build sets if you can do it in a computer? Lazyness? ...perhaps. Sad, indeed. It appears even the latest Hollywood greats are suffering from the pinch of filmmaking efficiency over creative brilliance. But like I said, I was more than happy to push that aside because it is after all Indiana I came to see, and not the CG!
Story wise, I thought there were way to many old man jokes (we get the point, he's old), and I agree; the whole Marion chemistry was somehow lost a bit. But it had not lost a lot of our favorite Indiana humor and character, but it did lack a bit of atmosphere in certain parts.
But all in all I enjoyed the film because it is Indiana Jones, and if I were to be truly honest with myself I would've probably found the past 3 installments just as corny is they came out today as well. But after all, adventure is just that: A journey into the amazing, and with the sequences at the end of the film, it truly was an amazing spectacle!
7.5/10 ...even if you are perhaps deciding not to see it, any adventure lover would be a criminal for missing it on the big screen. The visuals are amazing, the adventure is entertaining and the sound is earth shatteringly good! And if you can, try and find a cinema that is using a 4K!
P.S. Yes, it was Pandora down to a tea, in terms of the main (and broad) plot outline, but then again the mysterious skulls, Nazca lines, and the Mayan documentation of visitors from the heavens are not at all unique, being actual parts of history and all. If there is a positive to come out of the story, it is the interest it will muster from viewers about one of history's greatest (and my favorite) historical mysteries.
-Cub. =o)
I agree with you both. I was lucky enough to see it in a cinema equipped with the new 4K Digital Ultra-HD Projector... the picture was absolutely STUNNING... it was crystal clear (pun intended)!
That being said, it also meant I was able to see (and scrutinize) pretty much everything CG related (including the sometimes awful composting in the shots, a-la; car chase scene), and while it did disappoint a little (and only a little I might add), if there is anything I learnt from the Indiana Jones films is that non-perfect computer effects are nothing to take away from the film itself. Mind you, what the previous 3 films had over this one in terms of computer aided effects was that wonderful word: 'moderation'. It seems they did over use it in this film... but that's modern cinema: why bother taking the time to train animals and build sets if you can do it in a computer? Lazyness? ...perhaps. Sad, indeed. It appears even the latest Hollywood greats are suffering from the pinch of filmmaking efficiency over creative brilliance. But like I said, I was more than happy to push that aside because it is after all Indiana I came to see, and not the CG!
Story wise, I thought there were way to many old man jokes (we get the point, he's old), and I agree; the whole Marion chemistry was somehow lost a bit. But it had not lost a lot of our favorite Indiana humor and character, but it did lack a bit of atmosphere in certain parts.
But all in all I enjoyed the film because it is Indiana Jones, and if I were to be truly honest with myself I would've probably found the past 3 installments just as corny is they came out today as well. But after all, adventure is just that: A journey into the amazing, and with the sequences at the end of the film, it truly was an amazing spectacle!
7.5/10 ...even if you are perhaps deciding not to see it, any adventure lover would be a criminal for missing it on the big screen. The visuals are amazing, the adventure is entertaining and the sound is earth shatteringly good! And if you can, try and find a cinema that is using a 4K!
P.S. Yes, it was Pandora down to a tea, in terms of the main (and broad) plot outline, but then again the mysterious skulls, Nazca lines, and the Mayan documentation of visitors from the heavens are not at all unique, being actual parts of history and all. If there is a positive to come out of the story, it is the interest it will muster from viewers about one of history's greatest (and my favorite) historical mysteries.
-Cub. =o)
Possible Spoiler if you haven't seen the movie...
I just got back from seeing the Skull... It was quite good, I liked it... It wasn't quite the same without the Nazi... Russians just don't hold that "I Kill You" attitude like a Nazi does... Doing the whole Aliens are our gods thing was a bit different from the Origins I grew up with when it comes to Indiana Jones though... But it was still a good movie... I suspected the kid was his when I saw previews on TV... I really liked the Rope he used though... lol
I have to agree with Cub on the Atmosphere thing... At times it felt like they were trying too hard to make a New Indiana Jones Movie... While with other moments it flowed like it did in the other 3... Yes the Sounds were Astounding...
As for the film being based off of Pandora, I have to disagree... Harrison Ford said in an interview a few years ago that the Story had been written in the Early 90s and they were just hashing out where to film when to film and who else to have play the other parts, and in the process of all that other projects came up and it kept getting put on the back-burner... So while we see similarities, it is still based on Lucas' own vision from 15 years ago...
I highly recommend this movie to all who are either Adventure Fans or Harrison Ford Fans...
I just got back from seeing the Skull... It was quite good, I liked it... It wasn't quite the same without the Nazi... Russians just don't hold that "I Kill You" attitude like a Nazi does... Doing the whole Aliens are our gods thing was a bit different from the Origins I grew up with when it comes to Indiana Jones though... But it was still a good movie... I suspected the kid was his when I saw previews on TV... I really liked the Rope he used though... lol
I have to agree with Cub on the Atmosphere thing... At times it felt like they were trying too hard to make a New Indiana Jones Movie... While with other moments it flowed like it did in the other 3... Yes the Sounds were Astounding...
As for the film being based off of Pandora, I have to disagree... Harrison Ford said in an interview a few years ago that the Story had been written in the Early 90s and they were just hashing out where to film when to film and who else to have play the other parts, and in the process of all that other projects came up and it kept getting put on the back-burner... So while we see similarities, it is still based on Lucas' own vision from 15 years ago...
I highly recommend this movie to all who are either Adventure Fans or Harrison Ford Fans...
The Paved Straight Road, Won't Always Get You Farther Than The Winding Dirt Road...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...
Spoiler warning once again:
FINAL THOUGHTS:
1) I really cannot see a sequel happening. This film more or less puts Indiana back into retirement, I can't imagine him going on another exhillerating adventure as a family man.
2) I read that GL hoped to make Mutt the main character and Indy a sidekick, I would rather this be the last film if that's the case.
3) Most likely follow-up: a prequel, much like they did with TOD.
Glad you enjoyed it Cub and Bafitis! Cub, you are indeed very lucky to see it the way you did, the finale with the saucer taking flight must have looked phenomenal!
FINAL THOUGHTS:
1) I really cannot see a sequel happening. This film more or less puts Indiana back into retirement, I can't imagine him going on another exhillerating adventure as a family man.
2) I read that GL hoped to make Mutt the main character and Indy a sidekick, I would rather this be the last film if that's the case.
3) Most likely follow-up: a prequel, much like they did with TOD.
Glad you enjoyed it Cub and Bafitis! Cub, you are indeed very lucky to see it the way you did, the finale with the saucer taking flight must have looked phenomenal!
Brutal? Did they actually watch the film? I felt that the Communists were quite comically portrayed if anything, nowhere near brutal as the Thugee were in Temple of Doom. India complained about that, I can at least understand where they're coming from. But as for the Russians....have they never seen any Hollywood action/espionage films? Not even From Russia With Love?
I saw the Saucer taking flight as well...
Anyway, I think if anything, Mutt will become the New Indiana Jones... They'll do the same things they did with Connery's Character, they'll talk about Harrison Ford in the past tense saying he passed away and Mutt will assume his role so the series can continue... That's if anyone chooses to write another Indy movie... I have high doubts that will happen though...
Anyway, I think if anything, Mutt will become the New Indiana Jones... They'll do the same things they did with Connery's Character, they'll talk about Harrison Ford in the past tense saying he passed away and Mutt will assume his role so the series can continue... That's if anyone chooses to write another Indy movie... I have high doubts that will happen though...
The Paved Straight Road, Won't Always Get You Farther Than The Winding Dirt Road...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...
You guys are gonna end up starting the 3rd world war in here, especially if KGB and CIA are monitoring... lol
I'll just be the guy in the corner with the dark sunglasses who is always carrying a package...
I'll just be the guy in the corner with the dark sunglasses who is always carrying a package... The Paved Straight Road, Won't Always Get You Farther Than The Winding Dirt Road...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...
I just watched it yesterday...I thought it was a good movie worth watching. Might want to save some money and wait for the dvd though.
A sansGUI interface is one that does not have the small features called "Windows". The term comes from the French word sans, meaning "without".
SansGUI's are more typically used in Unix-like Operating Systems. The conventional wisdom is that a GUI (Grapical User Interface) help guide the casual computer user to perform routine tasks with Point and Click simplicity. SansGUI's have acquired considerable acceptance for users accustomed to the CLI (Command Line Interface).
SansGUI's are more typically used in Unix-like Operating Systems. The conventional wisdom is that a GUI (Grapical User Interface) help guide the casual computer user to perform routine tasks with Point and Click simplicity. SansGUI's have acquired considerable acceptance for users accustomed to the CLI (Command Line Interface).
I plan to Own the DVD, I've already got 3 different sets of the first 3 movies... I bought them separately myself as they came out... Then I was given the Trio Set as a present... And then when the Special Collectors set came out because of the 4th movie, I bought that... So as soon as this new one comes out, I'll be grabbing it...
The Paved Straight Road, Won't Always Get You Farther Than The Winding Dirt Road...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...
Can You Run Your Game??? Click Here And Find Out...
*Note, Not All Games Have Been Tested & Therefore May Not Be Listed...