After going on hiatus for almost twenty years, Indiana Jones is back, and in high fashion. Rocking the boat with an all-star cast, a convincing story and enough action and fun to entertain anyone, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull reminds us that great movies can sometimes happen the fourth time around!
After being kidnapped by the Soviets, Indiana Jones finds himself without a job and on the FBI's watch list. Attempting to escape the sudden madness, Jones looks to leave the country. But when Mutt Williams delivers a message to the famed archaeologist, Jones' itinerary suddenly changes. Wanting to beat the powerful Soviets, led by hard nosed agent Irina Spalko, to the lost city called Akakor, Jones fights his way through the Peruvian forest in desperate pursuit of a mystical crystal skull. Along the way he finds himself face-to-face with his old flame Marion Ravenwood, forcing him to balance the chore of beating his enemy and explaining his sudden disappearance so many years ago.
Over the last several years, many franchises have attempted at a fourth film. And while series such as Batman (Batman & Robin), Aliens (Alien: Resurrection), and George Lucas' own Star Wars (The Phantom Menace) have seen their films bomb, I am pleased to say that if anything, the fourth installment of Indiana Jones has kept with the series' high caliber of expectations perfectly.
As the film opens up, audience members are greeted with the distinct color schemes that gave the first three films their authentic edge. And from there, Steven Spielberg and company did nothing to disappoint as they stuck to their old formula and made a film that even the most die-hard fans can tip their hats to.
Harrison Ford teams up with Spielberg and Lucas for the fourth time as famed archaeologist Indiana Jones. Strapped with his identifying hat and whip, Ford brought Jones to life like we have never seen him before. Capitalizing on his comedic timing, Ford presented the same sarcastic and dry humored action hero that audiences worldwide have come to love and adore.
Alongside Ford in search of the crystal skull is sidekick and old flame Karen Allen, who played the series' first leading lady Marion Ravenwood, and series newcomer Shia LaBeouf, as the wannabe hard hitting Mutt Williams.
As for the veteran, I have to give props to Karen Allen. Not only did the actress turn in a great reprising role, but she did so without conforming her character. Instead, she stuck to what she knows best, the 80s Marion Ravenwood. Helped by a sense of maturity and a developed personality, Allen presents an older Ravenwood, not a different one. And with her consistency, audience members are able to realize that Allen is not playing Marion, she is Marion.
On the other hand, I must express my unsettling discomfort with Shia LaBeouf, who plays Indiana Jones' unlikely sidekick Mutt Williams. LaBeouf, who rose to mass fame with last year's double punch of Disturbia and The Transformers, just seemed to be trying too hard to pull off the rebel side of Williams. Though it was suppose to be a stretch within his character, LaBeouf just looked out of place next to Ford, who was as fluid as they come. And with the high caliber sidekicks that have shared the screen with Ford in the past, LaBeouf was nothing short of a disappointment.
But back to the positive, which has to make a short pit-stop at Cate Blanchett. Serving as the first major woman villain in the series, Blanchett brings agent Irina Spalko to life. Using a harsh accent and a stern personality, Blanchett does everything right in creating one of the most memorable villains to ever wage war against Indy. But even with all her perfection, I have to say that her transformation to the tough and demanding agent was truly mesmerizing. Hell, I didn't even know it was her until I read it on a press release right before going into seeing the film, and for an Academy Award winning actress, that is simply unheard of.
Now back to the film as a whole.
One thing that I was worried about heading into the theater was the overall plot. Having heard bits and pieces of the plot, mainly the extra-terrestrial/alien aspect, I had a preconceived notion that the story was going to be absolutely ridiculous. However, I have to say that it was pulled it off quite nicely.
Using the crystal skull as a base point, the film carries the same energy pumping, mind racing antics that helped the first three films gain such a large fan base. But this time around I have to give credit to the film for one-upping its predecessors in the chase sequences. Ranging from a waterfall dive unlike any other, the usual ancient civilization and the 'City of Gold' like you have never seen it before, the film truly has it all. And sitting cozily behind the mine car chase from Temple of Doom, I would have to say that the race car sequence within the thick jungle in this film is one of the best of the entire series.
All in all I have to say that Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull purely lives up to the hype. Presenting a novice villain in agent Spalko, excellent direction from Steven Spielberg and one of the most recognizable action heroes in Indiana Jones, the film is a prime example of a true summertime blockbuster.
So ladies and gentlemen, be prepared to be entertained as the man in the hat is sure to crack his whip to your liking!!!
