INDINA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Author: "Chris Echols" RELEASE DATE: May 22, 2008 STUDIO: Paramount DIRECTOR: Steven Speilberg SCREENWRITERS: David Koepp (screenplay) & George Lucas (story) CAST: Harrison Ford, Kate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Shia LaBeouf, et al. OFFICIAL SITE: INDIANAJONES.COM I can admit up front that I wasn’t one of the die hard Indy fans that saw RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARC in theatres. It would have been next to impossible since I was born the same year it came out. Even when TEMPLE OF DOOM was released, I was barely a toddler. Most of my exposure to Dr. Jones and company came through VHS tapes of the films I watched growing up and it wasn’t until THE LAST CRUSADE that I actually saw Harrison Ford wear the famous fedora on the big screen. I remember that specifically because it was released the same year that I saw Michael Keaton hold a thief over a building and tell him “I’m Batman” and forever etch that classic moment in my young mind. Somehow, everything on this site can relate back to Batman, right? Well enough of reminiscing, on to the review…. So how was the film overall? It’s a bit of a mixed bag to be honest. There are some things the film does right that are just spot on and make you smile from ear to ear remembering just how cool Harrison Ford can be. Then there are moments where the over the top action is taken just a notch too far and starts to become cheesy, even in context of an Indiana Jones film. For starters, it’s great to finally see Harrison Ford back in the role that made him so cool, at least to me. See, I was never a huge Star Wars fan, so I never saw Ford as “Han Solo” when he was in other films -- he was always “Indiana Jones” to me. From the first few seconds he’s on screen you are immediately thrust back into Dr. Jones’ world and can’t help but feeling like you’re seeing a childhood hero come back for a visit after a long absence. Ford is completely comfortable in the role and he seems to have a vitality in his performance that has been missing from most of his work in recent years. It’s as if putting on the hat and bullwhip has brought out the best he has to offer once again, and it’s a joy to see. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard a plot summary of the film already a million times in other reviews, so to be brief we’ll just say that there is a fairly typical thread that runs through all Indy films and this film is no different. Normally there is some kind of artifact (either religious or otherwise) that Indy is after. While searching for said artifact, he escapes danger and peril at every turn, all the while keeping a step ahead of an outrageous villain bent on world domination/money/power and determined to get to said artifact as well. The antagonist in this case is none other than Oscar winner Cate Blanchett as a Soviet baddie named Irina Spalko. Blanchett does a fine job with what the Russian accent and dialogue she’s given, but there isn’t much depth to her character besides the fact that she’s Indy’s opposition, and we all know how those characters end up. Much speculation has been made to just who Shia LeBeouf was going to play in this film, and if you haven’t already read about it or figured it out, you will rather quickly into the film. Shia is probably going to get a lot of flack on the net by fanboys who blame him for “ruining“ TRANSFORMERS last summer; but truth be told he does a great job in the film. He’s a good addition to an already solid cast and he doesn’t carry any one liners that will make you cringe. Probably the most welcome presence (other than Indy himself of course) is that of Karen Allen returning as Marion Ravenwood. It’s been 27 years since she first crossed paths with Dr. Henry Jones in RAIDERS and their on screen back and forth bickering picks up right where they left off. Allen just has this infectious smile that she flashes a few times when looking at Ford and it’s something you can’t create with great CGI or stunt doubles. It’s just a heartwarming look between two long-time loves and that chemistry is great to see reunited on the big screen. As typical Spielberg filmmaking would have it, there are some exciting action scenes and beautiful shots in the film. The director takes advantage of this classic hero’s return and utilizes him in the best way possible in most scenes. The only issue is at times it seems as if George Lucas butted in a bit too much and urged Spielberg that CGI would be the way to go. Not to bash the advances in technology, but there’s something to be said for the Indy films of the past that relied more on stunt doubles and practical effects rather than for computers to do the work. I guess it’s more exciting to watch these old style adventure films the way they were originally made than to watch them get digitalized makeovers with computer effects standing in for classic human action. The story itself seems to have some strange ups and downs. At times it seems as if the story is quite complex and intriguing, then suddenly it shifts and everything seems pretty simple for Indy and the gang to accomplish. I’d heard that this film had gone through multiple rewrites, and I think that shows somewhat when it plays out. It seems as if the best parts of different scripts were thrown together and what comes out isn’t always the most cohesive storyline to follow. Perhaps too many cooks were in the kitchen on this one. Leaving the theater last night, I couldn’t help but think that the reason I enjoyed most of the film wasn’t really due to how great the script or action was. It was more based on the fact that it was enjoyable to see these characters again. The film really does run hard on the “nostalgia factor” and I believe that Spielberg and Lucas know that. As a stand-alone film I would say this is a mediocre action adventure. As an entry into the Indy series I would say it’s up there with LAST CRUSADE. Just know going into this that your enjoyment for this particular film will most likely be based on your affection for the character of Indiana Jones that you bring into the theatre with you. I truly wish that there was a grade between C+ and B- because I think that’s where I’d mark it. There’s enough classic moments (like hearing the Indy theme pump in the theater speakers) to get your heart pumping, but some campy lines and action bits that may have you doing an eye roll or two. Go take in the film this weekend and add another couple bucks to the load of cash we all know it’s going to rake in. You’ll have a good time seeing old friends on screen again, but don’t expect to be blown away by what they bring to the table this time around. CHRIS' GRADE: B- BOF'er Chris Echols is a film reviewer for BATMAN-ON-FILM.COM.