All-Purpose Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

[lonewolf23k]

You're absolutely right, but Stalinist Russia never had the negative PR the Nazis did. My point was that no other "evil force" in history has the cache or visceral response that the term "NAZI" does.

Of course it was perfectly logical for the time it was set in. My point is that one of the reasons I felt that the movie fell flat was Nazis > Commies. Commies were the "evil force" du jour during that time, but that doesn't mean it makes for great villainy.
Not as satisfying as goosestepping Nazis, at least.

I blame years of post-Cold War image rehabilitation. Used to be people regarded Commies as being the next worst thing to Nazis here in the West. But not anymore. Thank you, Left-wingers.

[Brad Barton]

"Well, George Lucas has officially stuck his giant CGI [male anatomy] right into the [posterior] of the Indiana Jones franchise."You know, I've heard a lot of similar complaints, but for the life of me, I can't think of but maybe two or three scenes in the movie that are blatant cgi rape, and they're mostly scenes that couldn't practically have been done in any other way (the fridge, the ants, the end scene, etc.)

I think they utilized traditional stunts and effects to a greater degree than almost any Action/Adventure movie has in the past decade, and it's a little silly to expect SpeiLucas to ignore every technological advancement the Special-effects industry has made since 1989 purely on the basis of fan-nostalgia.

I dunno, I'm starting to accept the fact that I'm in the minority on really enjoying this film. I thought it was an Indy flick through-and-through, but I'll shut up now.

[Jmacq1]

I don't even know if you're in the minority. Plenty of people in the packed theater clapped at the end and seemed to enjoy it.

I just didn't. I didn't hate it either, but that almost made it worse, because it just doesn't drum up any sort of passionate emotion whatsoever. It was resoundingly "meh" for me.

I don't think it plays well to the "geek" audience. But maybe it plays pretty well to the rest of the moviegoing public.

As for gratuitous CGI Rape: When are they making the Prarie Dog or Helpful Swinging Monkey action figures, I wonder?

But it wasn't really just the CGI bits that came across as Lucas-ian. The whole endeavour sparked painful flashbacks to the turgid Star Wars prequels. The whole affair just comes across as so completely...dispassionate. Again, your mileage may vary. Me? I'm glad I bought that DVD set that came out the week before last (or so), because I doubt I'll be rushing out to buy the new one when it hits.

[CBikle]

I think the waterfall scene would have worked better if the first two were smaller, falls that viewers could imagine themselves surviving. Then when Indy says "three" and we see the huge falls ahead, I think that would have been both funnier and more suspenseful.

I like that; it also would be more in the spirit of the previous Indy flicks.

[1WEBHEAD]

Seems like everyone already did.

Then go see it AGAIN.

[Brad Barton]

As for gratuitous CGI Rape: When are they making the Prarie Dog or Helpful Swinging Monkey action figures, I wonder?Yeah, on that we can agree. Those scenes should have been left on the cutting room floor...and then burned.

But, like I said in an earlier review-- Monkeys and Prairie Dogs aside, I had a blast.

[Hiromi]

Enjoyed it, not up to par with Crusade or Raiders, but easily around Doom level. Thought it'd be the mildest movie yet as far as violence goes until the Ant scene, which may have been the creepiest Indie moment since the "Food" scene in Temple of Doom. The Arc of the Covenant cameo was well done. I'll echo that it was great seeing Marion return. I also got a laugh during the chase scene when they ran through the better dead than red rally, culminating with Marcus's statue(though that was a little bittersweet).

[HomerJay]

It sure sounds like Indy had some great adventures in the 40s, being in the O.S.S. and all. I'm assuming he was in a special Artifact Recovery Division.
Imagine seeing Colonel Henry Jones Jr. commanding a platoon of soldiers in WWII while working for the allies to collect artifacts or art before the Nazis obtained or destroyed them.
It's a known fact that Hitler was also obsessed with obtaining the Spear of Destiny (the Roman spear that pierced Christ's side during the crucifiction). Despite the macguffin being awfully close to the Ark or Grail, THAT would have been one ASS-KICKER of a movie.

I would add: I did like Shia LeBeouf and thought he had great chemistry with Harrison Ford, but I don't know that I'd be rushing out to see a "Mutt Williams and the McGuffin of Proper Noun" movie anytime soon.
I audibly sighed when the hat rolled to him.
I'd bet $500 bucks that it was Lucas' idea for the hat to roll to him and to have Indy say something like "It looks good on you, kid" before Spielberg voted it down and made him settle for the scene we saw.

I dunno, I'm starting to accept the fact that I'm in the minority on really enjoying this film. I thought it was an Indy flick through-and-through, but I'll shut up now.
Dude, it's cool that you really liked it, in fact I think I'll like it better the second time around because there will be no expectation factor.
I enjoyed it, but I didn't LOVE it as I had hoped.

I just didn't. I didn't hate it either, but that almost made it worse, because it just doesn't drum up any sort of passionate emotion whatsoever. It was resoundingly "meh" for me.

I don't think it plays well to the "geek" audience. But maybe it plays pretty well to the rest of the moviegoing public.
I agree completely with both statements.
As far as the Indiana Jones movies go, this one may have been the most vanilla. Geeks tend to like acquired tastes and I've come to realize that most of what I truly love can be considered genre (whether it be movies, books, food or even women).

Did anyone also notice that this lacked the token "gross-out" scene present in all Indiana Jones movies (unless the ants count)?
RAIDERS - snakepit & melting faces
TEMPLE OF DOOM - bugs, the dinner scene & the heart extraction
LAST CRUSADE - rats

[Legato]

I audibly sighed when the hat rolled to him.
I'd bet $500 bucks that it was Lucas' idea for the hat to roll to him and to have Indy say something like "It looks good on you, kid" before Spielberg voted it down and made him settle for the scene we saw.


I liked how when Indy took his hat back it was like he was saying to Mutt " Only I get to wear the hat, kid". It was still a nice passing the torch nod at the end though.

Im not sure that Shia LeBeouf is the right person to replace Ford, his character was tolorable enough but Im not ready to see a spin-off movie centering on him yet.

[kalorama]

Great cinema? Hardly. A fun entertaining two hours? Sure.
Anyone who went in expecting groundbreaking art probably had the wrong set of expectations.

[Hiromi]

Did anyone also notice that this lacked the token "gross-out" scene present in all Indiana Jones movies (unless the ants count)?
RAIDERS - snakepit & melting faces
TEMPLE OF DOOM - bugs, the dinner scene & the heart extraction
LAST CRUSADE - rats
The ants were pretty obviously it, and while disturbing enough on their own, seeing a full grown kicking screaming man dragged into the worlds largest ant pile made it that much more a cringe scene.

[Mike Pothier]

I just saw it today, and I really enjoyed it. Aw screw it, I loved it. I wasn't going in expecting my brain to melt with the sheer awesomness of seeing Indy again, but I went in expecting a new Indy serial, and thats what I got.

The only scene I didn't quite accept was the fridge scene, but I'll forgive that since it ended with easily the coolest shot in the movie, Indy standing in front of the nuke blast.

I almost expected him to say "Not enough gun..." Now THAT would have been cool.

[Bouncing Boy]

Nah, Indy is just fine. He lives into at least the1990s, where Harrisson Ford played him in a framing scene on Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.


Actually, the framing scene with Harrisson Ford as Indy was set in the early '50s I think. George Hall played the old Indy (I had to look up on IMDB to get the name)

[jesse_custer]

The ants were pretty obviously it, and while disturbing enough on their own, seeing a full grown kicking screaming man dragged into the worlds largest ant pile made it that much more a cringe scene.

It would have affected me more if I hadn't already seen similar insect scenes in the Mummy movies.

[Hiromi]

And the Mummy movie scenes were inspired by if not lifted directly from the three previous Indie movies, so what?

[Hypestyle]

i'd give it 3 crystal skulls out of 4..

dug it.. I would have wanted the movie to be longer (close to 3 hours would have been cool) some more violent villain deaths, but the way it was put together was cool..

spoilers---


what, if any, significance were the prairie dogs early on?


could an old-school Frigidaire really survive the blast-impact of a nuclear explosion, even a few miles from ground zero? must have been a 'small' bomb..

..are there really man-eating ants?

...the subplot of McCarthyism affecting Indy's career was timely..

...I want a new film ASAP.. I wish we could see more on the Wartime Indy, though.. I don't mind Nazis being his standard bad guys.. of course, "Marcus" is deceased...

...they could film the next two films concurrently.. a second trilogy.. and they could do an animated TV series like Clone Wars..

[StoneGold]

Those were the two scenes I mentioned.

No, you mentioned when he whipped the gun out of the dude's hands. And that's it. The Winstone save at the end was what I was talking about, when he was holding on to it to not get sucked into the dimensional warp.

[jesse_custer]

And the Mummy movie scenes were inspired by if not lifted directly from the three previous Indie movies, so what?

I was just telling you why it didn't make me cringe.

[BoosterBronze]

Sigh. Looking back at the earlier posts on this thread, at the 40 page discussion on whether the use of a CGI whip would ruin the movie, or about Shia LeBouf's casting being the death knell for the film and indeed for the entire film industry, I still have to say I really dug this flick.

[jesse_custer]

I thought Shia was the best new character. Cate's villain was memorable but seemed misplaced and not very threatening. Winstone's character was quite one-note.

Shia and Ford played off of each other very well, like when he told Shia to stop combing his hair.

[StoneGold]

So I guess they'll make that Mutt Jones and Dad movie now. What with Skull making it's budget back and then some in the first weekend.

[SnowTrooper]

I liked the Mutt character. Hell, one of my favorite parts of the movie was his swordfight with Cate Blanchett on top of the moving cars. I wouldnt mind seeing a movie based around him.

[StoneGold]

I liked the Mutt character. Hell, one of my favorite parts of the movie was his swordfight with Cate Blanchett on top of the moving cars. I wouldnt mind seeing a movie based around him.

I actually liked him a lot as well. Which is saying a lot, because it could have been a total Jar Jar role. They did a perfect job of making him cool enough that we'd like him, but not so cool that he felt shoved down our throats. But it may be rough transitioning him to the title character.

[ultramandingo]

Which is saying a lot, because it could have been a total Jar Jar role.

...........not even jar jar would be seen swinging on vines with dam dirty monkeys

[kmeyers]

I actually liked him a lot as well. Which is saying a lot, because it could have been a total Jar Jar role. They did a perfect job of making him cool enough that we'd like him, but not so cool that he felt shoved down our throats. But it may be rough transitioning him to the title character.

The only thing I really didn't like about the Mutt character, was his name.

I realize Indiana was the dog's name, and Mutt kind of compliments that in a strange coincidental way, but there was really no reason behind it, other than he just randomly picked that nickname for himself.

I just can't imagine a movie being titled "Mutt Jones and the blank of the blank."

[StoneGold]

The only thing I really didn't like about the Mutt character, was his name.

I realize Indiana was the dog's name, and Mutt kind of compliments that in a strange coincidental way, but there was really no reason behind it, other than he just randomly picked that nickname for himself.

I just can't imagine a movie being titled "Mutt Jones and the blank of the blank."

Like I said, a tough transition. OK name for the sidekick, rough for the hero.

[Sean Whitmore]

...........not even jar jar would be seen swinging on vines with dam dirty monkeys

Actually, that kinda sounds exactly like something Jar Jar would do.


SEAN

[StoneGold]

Actually, that kinda sounds exactly like something Jar Jar would do.


SEAN

True. I've managed to block the whole monkeys part out of my head, though. It never actually happened.

[Sean Whitmore]

I just can't imagine a movie being titled "Mutt Jones and the blank of the blank."

Me neither. Makes me wonder if they'll tack on something like "The Indiana Jones Chronicles".


SEAN

[ultramandingo]

Actually, that kinda sounds exactly like something Jar Jar would do.


SEAN
..........you know that was lucas's idea - im suprised he didnt get that hayden christen guy to be indy jr

[kmeyers]

Me neither. Makes me wonder if they'll tack on something like "The Indiana Jones Chronicles".


SEAN

That actually wouldn't be too bad, "The Jones Chronicles," sounds way better than "Keeping up With the Jones'," "Indiana Jonesin'," or "Mutt Jones and the anything."

[GRANT!]

No, you mentioned when he whipped the gun out of the dude's hands. And that's it. The Winstone save at the end was what I was talking about, when he was holding on to it to not get sucked into the dimensional warp.

Um no... I don't even remember him whipping a gun out of someone's hand in this movie.


Anybody else disappointed in the lack of whip action? I know he used to save Ray Winstone and the first scene but other then that you never saw it. Mutt's switchblade got more play. Used to be he was using that thing all the time.

And by the first scene I'm referring to the warehouse scene.

[xnef1025]

Actually, it would be "Mutt Williams and the something of the something" which really rolls of the tongue pretty nicely I think. It's got that B movie serial hero kind of feel to it.

[StoneGold]

Um no... I don't even remember him whipping a gun out of someone's hand in this movie.



And by the first scene I'm referring to the warehouse scene.

OK, then I thought you were talking about when he was saving Winstone by whipping the Kalishnakov out of the Rusky's hand. See, there were enough whip moments to start to get confused.


Although, like I was saying, he never really used the whip that much.

[kmeyers]

Actually, it would be "Mutt Williams and the something of the something" which really rolls of the tongue pretty nicely I think. It's got that B movie serial hero kind of feel to it.

I don't know if that would work either, though. The general public doesn't know who Mutt Williams, or even who Mutt Jones is for that matter.

Mutt Williams does sound better, but they have to find a way to connect the Indiana Jones franchise to the Mutt character somehow for people who didn't see Indy 4.

[StoneGold]

I don't know if that would work either, though. The general public doesn't know who Mutt Williams, or even who Mutt Jones is for that matter.

Mutt Williams does sound better, but they have to find a way to connect the Indiana Jones franchise to the Mutt character somehow for people who didn't see Indy 4.

Yeah, there is the lack of definite connection problem. Although, there's a general recognition problem as well. Notice they didn't start naming the films Indiana Jones and the... until the second film. And while I realize this would technically be Mutt's second film, the movie was really Indy's. And he wasn't even Mutt Jones, he was Mutt Williams.

[Sean Whitmore]

It's too bad they can't cherry-pick from all of his names. I kinda like "Henry Ravenwood".


SEAN

[Jared]

Didn't Marion say that Mutt's real name was "Henry Jones III"?

Which makes me wonder how Mutt never figured that Indy might be his father as soon as he was sent by mom to find a Dr. Henry Jones II.

I think the next movie could still be "Indiana Jones and the...", after all, we'd all expect Indy to be more active, even in his elder role, than Sean Connery was as Henry Sr. Henry was a scholar, never an adventurer.

I still really doubt that Shia could be an action hero on his own. First of all, he lacks even a tenth of Ford's charisma. Secondly, he doesn't have the physicality for it. I could believe that Ford throws a mean haymaker, and can duke it out with no-selling strong men. Shia would have been hard pressed to beat up Cate Blanchette.

I still say they need to bring in an adult Shorty, to do all sorts of kung fu ass-kicking. He could partner up with Mutt, Green Hornet and Kato style.

[StoneGold]

Didn't Marion say that Mutt's real name was "Henry Jones III"?

Which makes me wonder how Mutt never figured that Indy might be his father as soon as he was sent by mom to find a Dr. Henry Jones II.

Except he wasn't Jones. I think that was more for Indy's benefit. He was Henry Williams.

[kmeyers]

Didn't Marion say that Mutt's real name was "Henry Jones III"?

Which makes me wonder how Mutt never figured that Indy might be his father as soon as he was sent by mom to find a Dr. Henry Jones II.

Come to think of it, she did say that to Indy. Maybe that was just her way of telling Indy that Mutt was his son, and Mutt just always thought that his name was Henry Williams. But he seemed to view Oxley as more of a father figure than Williams.

Ha! Hank Williams Jr. and the ARE YOU READY FOR SOME ADVENTURES!!!!

[kmeyers]

I think the next movie could still be "Indiana Jones and the...",
Bastard son?

after all, we'd all expect Indy to be more active, even in his elder role, than Sean Connery was as Henry Sr. Henry was a scholar, never an adventurer.

I still really doubt that Shia could be an action hero on his own. First of all, he lacks even a tenth of Ford's charisma. Secondly, he doesn't have the physicality for it. I could believe that Ford throws a mean haymaker, and can duke it out with no-selling strong men. Shia would have been hard pressed to beat up Cate Blanchette.
That was a pretty cool sword fight, though.


I still say they need to bring in an adult Shorty, to do all sorts of kung fu ass-kicking. He could partner up with Mutt, Green Hornet and Kato style.
That would be awesome.

[Sean Whitmore]

All this "junior" talk makes me think that somewhere, someone is writing a fanfic where Mutt Jones, Rocky Balboa Jr., and John McClaine's daughter all team up.

I pray I never read it.


SEAN

[Jared]

All this "junior" talk makes me think that somewhere, someone is writing a fanfic where Mutt Jones, Rocky Balboa Jr., and John McClaine's daughter all team up.

I pray I never read it.


SEAN

Didn't Roadhouse 2 have the son of Dalton? :evilsmile:

BTW, what the hell was up with Ox at the very end? Didn't Indy just steal his wife?

[Sean Whitmore]

Didn't Roadhouse 2 have the son of Dalton? :evilsmile:

BTW, what the hell was up with Ox at the very end? Didn't Indy just steal his wife?

Huh? Ox was never married to Marion.


SEAN

[Jared]

Huh? Ox was never married to Marion.


SEAN

Right, I meant to say just "woman." Were they never a couple though? I thought from the whole father-figure thing he had with Mutt, and the way he stopped talking to Indy, that they were together. I hope I'm mistaken there, I'd hate to think of another childhood hero as a homewrecker. I think Superman is quite enough.

[kmeyers]

Right, I meant to say just "woman." Were they never a couple though? I thought from the whole father-figure thing he had with Mutt, and the way he stopped talking to Indy, that they were together. I hope I'm mistaken there, I'd hate to think of another childhood hero as a homewrecker. I think Superman is quite enough.

Yeah, Ox was a big part of Mutt's life but it never seemed like he had any kind of romantic relationship with Marion.

That was kind of hinted at right before they took over the Commie's truck. She asked Indy if there had been anyone else, and he said something like...Noone like you. I got the feeling she was the same way.

Even at the end, wasn't Ox surprised that Mutt was Indy's son? I'm pretty sure he was.

[Sean Whitmore]

Yeah, though they didn't really get into it, I took Ox's relationship with Marion to be more of a parental one. Looking after Abner's little girl, and all that. Especially from the way he got mad at Indy for leaving her.


SEAN

[lonewolf23k]

I still say they need to bring in an adult Shorty, to do all sorts of kung fu ass-kicking. He could partner up with Mutt, Green Hornet and Kato style.

That could work well, seeing as how Jonathan Quan (Shorty's actor) has grown up to become an expert martial artist, as well as a stunt coordinator for movies such as Jet Li's "The One". And it would be interesting to see their interaction..

[StoneGold]

Yeah, Ox was a big part of Mutt's life but it never seemed like he had any kind of romantic relationship with Marion.

That was kind of hinted at right before they took over the Commie's truck. She asked Indy if there had been anyone else, and he said something like...Noone like you. I got the feeling she was the same way.

Even at the end, wasn't Ox surprised that Mutt was Indy's son? I'm pretty sure he was.

He's a British academic. Do you need more of a sign that he's gay?

[Sean Whitmore]

He's a British academic. Do you need more of a sign that he's gay?

I'm never fully convinced until I see a poodle.


SEAN

[Nate Grey]

I still really doubt that Shia could be an action hero on his own. First of all, he lacks even a tenth of Ford's charisma.

I think he's getting there. Most folks (not on the net, apparently) think he's already there. I think he has a bright future.


Secondly, he doesn't have the physicality for it. I could believe that Ford throws a mean haymaker, and can duke it out with no-selling strong men. Shia would have been hard pressed to beat up Cate Blanchette.

Well, perhaps height-wise, since Ford is 6'1" and Shia is 5'10 1/2. But physically, Shia's in better shape than Ford. Besides the obvious age difference he went through intense training (fitness and weight-lifting) for both this movie and Transformers before it. I'm sure he'll go through the same thing for Transformers 2 and maybe even Eagle Eye.

[Jared]

It's not just about getting muscle. Ford has a ruggedness to him that Shia can't match. Ford has working-man quality to him, unsuprising, considering he was a carpenter for a while. He carries himself like a man who was never the nerdy loser. Whereas Shia Lebaouf grew up being Shia Lebeauf....

A good action hero has to make me believe that he or (hah!)* she could kick my ass. Indiana Jones could do that. Maybe not so much anymore, but in his prime, sure. Unless we were fencing atop two speeding Jeeps, I'd bet good money that I could take Mutt Jones.

I do think Shia has a bright future. But as a Tom Hanks, not a Harrison Ford.


* :)

[kmeyers]

It's not just about getting muscle. Ford has a ruggedness to him that Shia can't match. Ford has working-man quality to him, unsuprising, considering he was a carpenter for a while. He carries himself like a man who was never the nerdy loser. Whereas Shia Lebaouf grew up being Shia Lebeauf....

A good action hero has to make me believe that he or (hah!) she could kick my ass. Indiana Jones could do that. Maybe not so much anymore, but in his prime, sure. Unless we were fencing atop two speeding Jeeps, I'd bet good money that I could take Mutt Jones.

I do think Shia has a bright future. But as a Tom Hanks, not a Harrison Ford.

That really is a pretty good comparison. Harrison Ford is definitely not a buff bodybuilder type, but he oozes "tough guy" charisma. Something Shia lacks so far.

Tom Hanks has a similar build, but I would laugh if he was supposed to fight anyone.

[StoneGold]

The other difference being Ford was in his 30s when he donned the hat. Hell, he was like 35 when he first played Han. Shia's, what, 20, 21?

[Nate Grey]

That really is a pretty good comparison. Harrison Ford is definitely not a buff bodybuilder type, but he oozes "tough guy" charisma. Something Shia lacks so far.

I think that's the operative phrase, though. He doesn't have Ford's resume or years under his belt yet, but someone must believe in him enough to keep putting him in movies. But then again, is that all Ford has to offer, ruggedness and charisma? Do all action heroes have to be "tough guys"? I guess if that's what appeals to you, but I myself have always liked the unassuming types. Its one thing to say "yeah I can whoop his ass" and then quite another when you're on the floor bleeding saying "damn, I didn't expect it to go THAT way."

Eh. To each his own. I won't argue anyone's tastes (though this internet Shia hatred is baffling, not that I'm finding it here). I just think he needs time and I'm just saying I like what I'm seeing so far. Though I haven't seen Disturbia or that golfing movie (The Best Game Ever?) yet.

[Sean Whitmore]

Do all action heroes have to be "tough guys"? I guess if that's what appeals to you, but I myself have always liked the unassuming types. Its one thing to say "yeah I can whoop his ass" and then quite another when you're on the floor bleeding saying "damn, I didn't expect it to go THAT way."

You should definitely check out Brick, then (if you haven't already), starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (the kid from 3rd Rock From the Sun). Surprised the hell out of me.


SEAN

[StoneGold]

Eh. To each his own. I won't argue anyone's tastes (though this internet Shia hatred is baffling, not that I'm finding it here).

He's an ex-Disney kid with an extremely effeminate name. What more do you need to know?

[Nate Grey]

You should definitely check out Brick, then (if you haven't already), starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (the kid from 3rd Rock From the Sun). Surprised the hell out of me.SEAN

Ah, the future Cobra Commander. :biggrin: Its been on my to-watch list for some time, but...money problems. Mist and Diary of the Dead gonna comes first, though.

[StoneGold]

You should definitely check out Brick, then (if you haven't already), starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (the kid from 3rd Rock From the Sun). Surprised the hell out of me.


SEAN

Or Will Smith when he first started the action hero bit.


Action heroes haven't been roided up freaks since the 80s. Who is our last Schwartzenggerian action hero?

[Nate Grey]

He's an ex-Disney kid with an extremely effeminate name. What more do you need to know?

Plenty, since its apparently not anything he's actually done to deserve it. Its rhetorical, though. I just shrug and keep watching what Shia does. Well most of it since there's a few movies of his I haven't seen yet.

[Nate Grey]

Or Will Smith when he first started the action hero bit.


Action heroes haven't been roided up freaks since the 80s. Who is our last Schwartzenggerian action hero?

Vin or Rock, whoever had their last successful action vehicle.

[StoneGold]

Plenty, since its apparently not anything he's actually done to deserve it. Its rhetorical, though. I just shrug and keep watching what Shia does. Well most of it since there's a few movies of his I haven't seen yet.

Yeah, but it's rarely about what they've actually done. He's got a girl's name, and he's killing Megatron and hanging out with Indy. I don't have a girl's name, why am I not the one killing Megatron???

[Nate Grey]

Yeah, but it's rarely about what they've actually done. He's got a girl's name, and he's killing Megatron and hanging out with Indy. I don't have a girl's name, why am I not the one killing Megatron???

Again, rhetorical. Its curious but I'd rather just shrug and ignore it.

[StoneGold]

Vin or Rock, whoever had their last successful action vehicle.

Been a while since either was all that successful as an action star.

[David Walton]

That really is a pretty good comparison. Harrison Ford is definitely not a buff bodybuilder type, but he oozes "tough guy" charisma. Something Shia lacks so far.

Yeah, but I think KOTCS shows that Lucas is more interested in moving the franchise forward according to the times, and Shia isn't supposed to be an exact Ford clone anymore than the 1957 Indy is at the same place in his life as the 1930s one.

And keep in mind that even though Harrison exudes "tough guy" he subverted a lot of conventional thinking about what a tough guy was. He'd never fight a guy hand to hand he could shoot, he's a part time academic, and he hates snakes.

So I think that Shia has the potential to make himself as believable a hero as Ford if the script is tailored toward his strengths.

[Tobias March]

Saw it. It was alright, nothing special.

For me the acid test was that I wasn't excited by it, whereas Raiders still gives me goosebumps every now and then. Ray Winstone and Cate Blanchett were wasted I thought.

[ultramandingo]

Ray Winstone and Cate Blanchett were wasted I thought.
...... plus john hurt and jim broadbent - cant blame em for trying thou - since they didnt get on the harry potter gravy train

[Tobias March]

...... plus john hurt and jim broadbent - cant blame em for trying thou - since they didnt get on the harry potter gravy train

I also thought the statue of Denholm Elliott losing its head and it landing in the Soviet's crotch was in poor taste. Harrison Ford giving LeBeouf that admonishing glare afterwards was more asscovering by Spielberg and co for making what could seen as a gay joke at the expense of an actor who died of AIDS.

Once again maybe that's hypercritical, but in the context I thought it slightly insensitive. Brody's statue merely crushing the car upon impact might have been a nicer touch, with some line to the effect of even in death he's helping out and such.

[togeteiku42]

...... plus john hurt and jim broadbent - cant blame em for trying thou - since they didnt get on the harry potter gravy train

Jim Broadbent is actually going to be in the next harry potter movie.

[jesse_custer]

Saw it. It was alright, nothing special.

For me the acid test was that I wasn't excited by it, whereas Raiders still gives me goosebumps every now and then. Ray Winstone and Cate Blanchett were wasted I thought.

Winstone was fucking boring. How can you make Winstone boring? This is the same guy who ripped the screen apart in The Proposition.

Blanchett was memorable but more fitting for a cartoon. And yes, I know the Nazi with the melted face was over-the-top, but at least he made me laugh.

[Your Imaginary Pal]

this seemed to be a throw a dart at the idea board movie.
some scenes were thrilling and entertaining, some were just too ridiculous to take seriously.
it's like getting mugged(I presume) sure it's thrilling, your adrenaline is racing and heart is pumping, but you'd really rather not experience it.

[david r]

I also thought the statue of Denholm Elliott losing its head and it landing in the Soviet's crotch was in poor taste. Harrison Ford giving LeBeouf that admonishing glare afterwards was more asscovering by Spielberg and co for making what could seen as a gay joke at the expense of an actor who died of AIDS.


I didn't know Denholm Elliott died of AIDS. That is sad. I too didn't like the statue scene and thought it was in bad taste.

[Mike Pothier]

I doubt that statue scene had anything to do with Denholm's manner of death.

[1WEBHEAD]

My main beef with KOTCS was that they concentrate too damn much on the Crystal Skull that I really didn't give a sh*t about.

Seriously, did anyone really care for the details about the Arc, the Stones, or the Holy Grail?

No, all we needed to know was that the Nazis/bad guys were after it and it was up to Indy to make sure that those things didn't fall into the wrong hands.

After that, it's suppose to be balls to the wall action. I went to go see Indy not some goofy looking skull.

There were some parts I liked like that chase/fight scenes and the ants, but everything else from the fridge to the alien space ships can go play in traffic.

[hYPE]

Does anyone else get the feeling Shia is being groomed to carry the franchise since Ford is getting up in years ? That if a 5th Indy movie happens ...it could be him.

I hope so. That for me would be personally cool! Make Harrison Ford apart of the film but make Shia's character the main focus.

I personally loved this film. I might be biased because I've been fascinated with the Crystal Skulls since I was young but the movie for me was every bit as exciting as the first one.

[ChrisIII]

With the Ark and to a lesser extent the grail, they sort of have a cultural/archaeological impact. People have been actually searching for them for centuries (Although the grail doesn't have much of a biblical background and is more medievally based), and the original films used that background. Even the Sankara stones are based on real Indian stones, although the actual artifact was made-up.

The Crystal skulls however, are a mostly recent phenomonom and don't have the same mysticism attached, really. El Dorado has been searched for more, however I hate to say this, the last National Treasure did it better. All Indy found was a storeroom of artifacts from around the globe (Which was already done in the first National Treasure) and the aliens, really.

[Your Imaginary Pal]

With the Ark and to a lesser extent the grail, they sort of have a cultural/archaeological impact. People have been actually searching for them for centuries (Although the grail doesn't have much of a biblical background and is more medievally based), and the original films used that background. Even the Sankara stones are based on real Indian stones, although the actual artifact was made-up.

The Crystal skulls however, are a mostly recent phenomonom and don't have the same mysticism attached, really. El Dorado has been searched for more, however I hate to say this, the last National Treasure did it better. All Indy found was a storeroom of artifacts from around the globe (Which was already done in the first National Treasure) and the aliens, really.

Agreed, pretty much on all points. Ntional Treasure made the search fun, and set it somewhat more grounded in reality. (Or at least a reality I'm more comfortable with.) It was still a rollercoaster ride and exciting, some things just didn't ring true to the "universe" of Indiana Jones.

[adoggoesmeow]

Leprechaun - Franchise ended up telling a space story
Friday the 13th - space
Critters - space

and now

Indiana Jones - space ( excuse me "NEW DIMENSIONAL VORTEX!!!! EEE GAWZZ!!!)

Why do franchise's have to end up telling a space story.

Next thing you know Freddy Krueger will start haunting the Starship Enterprise.

[Pixie_Solanas]

My problem is that I thought Irina was infinitely sexier than Marion Ravenwood.

I cheered when she got bonked in the head whilst driving her all-terrain boat. Oddly enough, that little incident fell flat.

And could that opening scene with the teens in the roadster have done less with more buildup? Come on, I thought at least one of the lasses in the back was going to eat a bullet. LAME!

All in all, not "Speed Racer" bad, and enjoyable in most parts, but damn if some of the corny dialogue and odd scenes that go nowhere didn't just give me "WTF" moments.

[hYPE]

Leprechaun - Franchise ended up telling a space story
Friday the 13th - space
Critters - space

and now

Indiana Jones - space ( excuse me "NEW DIMENSIONAL VORTEX!!!! EEE GAWZZ!!!)

Why do franchise's have to end up telling a space story.

Next thing you know Freddy Krueger will start haunting the Starship Enterprise.

Now I would paid to see Freddy haunt the dreams of the Enterprise any day. haha ;)

[kimsonsolutions]

at first i was quite desapointed by the scenario as i expected indiana jones story to stay into the domain of the real but then i remembered that the holy grail story was quite surnatural as well

a good movie , you don't realize it last 2 hours and you spend a pleasant moment , and that's all I ask for (for an indiana jones movie i mean ^^ )

[adoggoesmeow]

Now I would paid to see Freddy haunt the dreams of the Enterprise any day. haha ;)

Freddy would kill them all, until he used his claw thing to shred Kirk's shirt. Then he'll get one shotted in the face.

[OverMaster]

The only scene I didn't quite accept was the fridge scene,

Oh so seconded.

[jessecuster3]

Oh so seconded.


Shia as Tarzan didn't fly to well for me, either.


But those are my only two gripes about the movie I really enjoyed the rest of it.

[jesse_custer]

Lucas has an obsession with Tarzan. Remember in Revenge of the Sith when a wookie was swinging on a vine complete with the Tarzan yell?

He's always had people swinging on shit, but now it's getting too obvious.

[jessecuster3]

Lucas has an obsession with Tarzan. Remember in Revenge of the Sith when a wookie was swinging on a vine complete with the Tarzan yell?

He's always had people swinging on shit, but now it's getting too obvious.

Yeah this was really bad, and really stupid.

[Black Atom]

Lucas has an obsession with Tarzan. Remember in Revenge of the Sith when a wookie was swinging on a vine complete with the Tarzan yell?

He's always had people swinging on shit, but now it's getting too obvious.

Chewie does that rather infamously in ROTJ as well. I honestly didn't mind it that much. I can acknowledget that it's stupid, but it honestly didn't bother me in the movie like the driving off the cliff and waterfalls.

[jessecuster3]

Chewie does that rather infamously in ROTJ as well. I honestly didn't mind it that much. I can acknowledget that it's stupid, but it honestly didn't bother me in the movie like the driving off the cliff and waterfalls.


It wasn't that much of a leap compared to some of the coal mine race in Temple of Doom.

[Black Atom]

It wasn't that much of a leap compared to some of the coal mine race in Temple of Doom.

That's true, but the mine cart race completely kicked ass, which makes me a lot more forgiving of it.

[shamone]

Well done lucas for destroying another near perfect trilogy

is there anything else from my youth you want to piss all over

dire movie, actin was horrendous, ford didnt even sound like old indy, special effects were woe jaysusly bad, plot - was there one, was ludicrious, as someone said it brought in the fantastical at the start unliek the others which had you believing in the real world ness of the indyverse up to the end. and thats the funny part, because every scene seemed to hark back to one of the previous movies, homage is fine, blatant unoriginality is not

[Slam_Bradley]

is there anything else from my youth you want to piss all over



I'm quite sure that Lucas' only purpose in life is to "piss" on your youth.

[jessecuster3]

I'm quite sure that Lucas' only purpose in life is to "piss" on your youth.

I thought Michael Bay did that?




Maybe that was just me.

[HomerJay]

I'm quite sure that Lucas' only purpose in life is to "piss" on your youth.


I thought Michael Bay did that?
No, that's R. Kelly's thing.

[cg_maniac]

Would've been nice to see Sallah show up for the wedding - was John Rhys-Davies not available for a day's shooting?

Since Lucas was involved, I'm surprised they didn't have a "Jedi" type ending where all the past characters show up at the wedding with that ghosty blue light around them, waving and smiling at Indy.

Even the bad guys...:biggrin:

Probably will be on the crystal skull "special edition"...

[Mike Pothier]

Nah, if Lucas were going to do that, he's have John Rhys-Davies show up in the theater, then edit Hayden Christensen over him for the special edition.

[Jmacq1]

Hah! I knew there was something else that was bugging me about the movie.

Yeah, why the hell wasn't Sallah at Indy and Marion's wedding?

[ChrisIII]

According John Rhys-Davies, he wasn't asked to return, although an ABC thing said he would return in the film.

Apparentally one of the older scripts for the film (The "Saucer Men from Mars" script) had both Sallah and Willie at the wedding.

[Davideaux]

I enjoyed it overall. I agree with almost everyone that it had a few corny moments and sequences. I know everyone picked up on the gophers, the swinging and the waterfalls, but I wanted to add another scene, where the ants decided to build a pyramid to catch Cate Blanchett.

I think Indy was fine but he seemed to have lost some of his bite. The previous movies depicted Indy as being more acerbic. I guess he mellowed with age. Shia was good, as was the rest of the cast.

Decent movie, in spite of a slightly neutered Indy.

[ChrisIII]

The Frank Darabont draft is online at some sites. Apparentally it isn't that different, although it would've been a much tighter film and Mutt isn't in it.

[Solaris01]

I enjoyed it, but disliked the over the top scenes. I had fun watching it, and since I'm not a big Indy fan, that's all I really care. And Harrison Ford was great.


7.5/10

[ultramandingo]

....... no mutt in this one either - i hope

http://widget.slide.com/rdr/1/1/3/W/170000000c49ab5f/1/60/XCV3YCd-4T-drLD_q38LSdLh5WlFdCX4.jpg (http://www.slide.com/s/Gt_9Wscs0j8ozHY-z40e0nuhRr0qYHx_?referrer=hlnk)

[hoffmandu]

Hmmm, just got done watching Raiders. Now that's a movie, in fact, they just don't make them like they did back then. KotCS, I really can't express how disappointed I am. I've jumped on the "Steve and George shouldn't be making movies together anymore" bandwagon because of this.

[LtMarvel]

Hmmm, just got done watching Raiders. Now that's a movie, in fact, they just don't make them like they did back then. KotCS, I really can't express how disappointed I am. I've jumped on the "Steve and George shouldn't be making movies together anymore" bandwagon because of this.
Yes, because we need more movies like that Vegas movie instead.

*rolls eyes*

[The Xenos]

Figure I'd bump this with the DVD coming out.

It's funny. A week after that South Park ep, I finally saw Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It was.. pretty good. As much as some of my gripes were.. it.. wasn't bad. I even didn't despise.. and maybe even enjoyed.. the Shia LeBouf character, my biggest worry. That duel on the car was enjoyable. Also, Cate Blanchett is quite hot in it. I really didn't mind the 50s setting or alien theme. Plus, John Hurt was awesome crazy.

[hoffmandu]

Yes, because we need more movies like that Vegas movie instead.

*rolls eyes*

Vegas movie? Not sure what you're getting at. Dead serious: KotCS comes nowhere close to any of the 3 past Indy Flicks.

[Legato]

Vegas movie? Not sure what you're getting at. Dead serious: KotCS comes nowhere close to any of the 3 past Indy Flicks.

I refuse to make any reference to South Park, despite that episode Im not going to have that show make any decisions for me when it comes to a certain type of movie. KOTCS didn't feel like a Indy movie to me although I wouldn't call the movie bad, it had it's good moments like the wedding at the end as it kinda brought closure to Raiders of The Lost Arc.

I honestly dont see the negativity behind the Aliens, they wasn't even shown until the very end and that isn't any weirder than a Knight from King Arthurs timeline being trapped in a tomb for centuries thanks to the Holy Grail in The Last Crusade.

Mutt was alright, not as annoying as Willie from Temple of Doom. I would have liked to atleast seen Short Round make a appearance at the wedding though

[LtMarvel]

Um...Vegas movie...four months ago...
...


...


Oh Ashtun 70s show guy wakes up married in Vegas and...


I hate you for making me remember bad movies I've only seen the trailer for...



Anyway, even if Indy 4 doesn't stand up to the first three, it was still a great, entertaining film.

[Tadhg]

Yes, because we need more movies like that Vegas movie instead.

*rolls eyes*

Those are our only two choices?

[Titan76]

Vegas movie? Not sure what you're getting at. Dead serious: KotCS comes nowhere close to any of the 3 past Indy Flicks.
I found it to be better then Temple of Doom which was always the weakest of the Jones movies to me which sucks because I like the its name better then the other three movies.

[Frank]

Man this felt like such a rushed affair. Like Steven was on auto-pilot doing this. Harrison Ford also felt like he didn't want try the way he reacted to things. At times I would have wanted more quiet moments for Marion, Mutt and Indiana to have a heart-to-heart moment or just argue. At other times I wanted more urgencies and dire moments but during the action it was more like a videogames like nobody could be hurt. And I remember how great it was in 1-3 to see Indiana making all those faces because he just had saved himself(that was another thing that lacked in this movie, the lack of close up on the faces). In Crystal Skulls there was never a moment that you feared for anybody. There were was a moment like in Last Crusade when Indy is on the German tank, fighting for his life. It felt like "we are there, we're doing these stunts, we knew each other so what". I thought the meeting with Marion(and dialogue) would have been more heart felt(or at least more spirited!).

Also the music was not there, the villains were entirely forgetable.

[darkwolf]

The only thing i didn't like on Indy 4 was the alien thing. It wasn't needed and was sci-fi than Indy.