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Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Directed by: Steven Spielberg Starring: Harrison Ford, Shia Labeouf, Cate Blanchet, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Karen Allen
Review: The curtain closes. The BBFC title card comes up with Indiana Jones and The Kingdon of the Crystal Skull. It's here. A 50s rock song blasts from the speakers as a group of teenagers dare a military staff vehicle into a drag race. A typical staple of George Lucas' movies; the car chase. Clearly, time has moved on. Not only in our world but the world of Dr Jones. It is now 1957. A military convoy enters a Top Secret area in the desert and we find that they're commies not US military. And who have they got in the back of the staff vehicle? None other than Dr Henry Jones Jr.
The Russians, led by Irina Spalko (well portrayed by Cate Blanchett) force Indy and his sidekick Mac (Ray Winstone) into finding a particular crate in a familiar warehouse. It transpires that Indy and Mac helped unearth this find ten years previously and Indy uses an innovative way of identifying the crate. The contents of the crate eventually lead Jones and his companions to a fabled Lost City. This movie is all about bringing it back to basics, despite the elaborate sets and CGI laden climax, Indy is still a no-nonsense action hero. His age is treated with respect and forms part of the jokes, wether it be his mistimed leap in the warehouse or his conversations with Mutt (played by Shia LeBouf).
One of the main factors in the story, is family and community. Jones has been part of the University for years and established good friends, although possibly blacklisted by the government. Family is also present in one of the worst kept secrets of recent cinema (I still won't spoil it though). This issues of friendship and family bonding is what sets it apart from Temple of Doom and Last Crusade (I mention the latter with a hint of irony). The action sequences are typically exciting, as directed by Mr Spielberg. The characterisation of support characters is not so good. Cate Blanchett does a great job with her role. Both Ray Winstone and John Hurt do not fulfil the promise of their casting. Shia LeBouf is ok, but ultimately irritating at times. The script can be blamed for most of the faults. The much lauded return of Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood is handled very well and she's not so much the damsel in distress but caught up in circumstances that causes all characters to be in peril.
In an era of Indiana Jones inspired movies, the original still packs a wallop as some audience members will feel creeped out by the ants in one scene. The chase through the jungle is very well directed, and fun. The epilogue to the movie is touching and humourous and hints that this movie really was just a transition between one set of films and another. Wether "Mutt" has enough interest value to carry on a further set of movies remains to be seen. After all, I'm assuming that there will be more. Internet rumour suggests that Indiana will assume a kind of Sean Connery role in a future movie. We'll see.
I won't say anything more as I think it is a film to go and see at the cinema and assess yourself.
Verdict: It probably won't be revered as a classic as Raiders is but is well worth your time and money in a Summer packed with Blockbusters. 7/10 (Wayfarer)
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