Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

(2008)

Directed by

Steven Spielberg

Review by Terry Plucknett

In one of the latest attempts for Hollywood to make a quick buck by reprising a popular film franchise, one of the most beloved characters of the last 25 years was pulled out of retirement in an attempt to spoil the brilliance of a remarkable trilogy.  The character is the iconic Indiana Jones.  The original trilogy that came out in the 80’s was brilliant with Harrison Ford portraying the main character and the creative forces that are Steven Spielberg and George Lucas behind the story and making of the films.  In making a fourth installment in this series, all the necessary pieces had to be brought back.  Therefore, Steven Spielberg was back behind the camera, George Lucas was back providing the story, and Harrison Ford was back donning the fedora.  One problem was the fact that Ford is now in his mid-60’s.  This incarnation of Indiana Jones is going to have to be different, right?  Wrong!  We are expected to believe that a man who looks like he might need a cane in a few years can still do the stunts he did 25 years ago.  He says early on in the movie that it’s not going to be as easy as it used to be, but it was almost looked easier than it used to be to maintain Indy’s invincibility at an older age.  To a certain extent, much of this does not really matter because, let’s face it, it’s Indiana Jones!!!

The filmmakers were smarter than most others making remakes or new films with old characters in that they included some of the best talents in Hollywood to compliment the aging Indy.  There are a list of stars throughout the movie, such as Ray Winstone as an old friend, Oscar-winner Jim Broadbent as the dean of the school Indy teaches at, Oscar-nominee John Hurt as a former colleague, Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett as the villain, and one of the hottest young actors in Hollywood, Shia LaBeouf as Indy’s new sidekick.  Because of this, there is much more going on in this film outside of Indiana Jones and a mystery to solve.  Does this make the film better at all?  Well, it definitely doesn’t hurt it due to a somewhat weak mystery placed before them.  Compared to finding the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail, the search set in South America just does not live up to other Indy adventures.  I do not want to give any details in an attempt to not give away plot points or the ending you hope and pray they didn’t write into the story, but comes anyways.  Let’s just say when the ending comes, all that can be said is, “Oh, come on!  Are you serious?”

On some levels, Crystal Skull works.  However, the strongest cases made for the movie come from the history and success of the previous Indiana Jones films.  This film adds nothing new to the franchise, except for a few characters, one of which brings about the idea of a potential fifth Indiana Jones film.  Not only is nothing added by this film, but there is nothing original in the making of the film besides a poorly written mystery that you wish they hadn’t have written.  The old experienced character showing the young newcomer the ropes, the greedy characters being punished for their greed.  None of it has the edge the originals had.

It was a fun movie to see, but simply to see Indiana Jones on screen again in another adventure.  Don’t expect to enjoy much more beyond that.

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