Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

I want to say that Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull wowed me. I want to say that it left me screaming for more. The previous Jones films certainly did, so can you blame me if I was looking for a bit more of a spark, while at the same time keeping my expectations in check? Let me say something straight out first, this is most certainly not a bad movie. It's actually very enjoyable. It just seems very thin when you look back on it. For total in one ear and out the other entertainment, you probably won't find anything better this summer. But if you're looking for a summer blockbuster that stays with you, and leaves you wanting to get right back in line and see it again once it's done, you won't find it here.

The key thing when walking into Crystal Skull is to forget all pre-conceived notions and prejudices. Forget the fact that it's been 19 years since the last installment in the series. Forget the fact that Harrison Ford is well into his 60s. And most certainly forget the on line fanboys who are treating this movie as if it were the second coming. Just take it for the movie that series director Steven Spielberg and producer George Lucas have given us - An expertly executed and fun popcorn flick that's just a little too slight to be truly memorable. The movie is definitely a nostalgic throwback to the earlier films, with plenty of references for fans to pick up on, and it manages to capture the simple and energetic nature of the originals. When you consider that the Indiana Jones films are already a throwback to the 30s and 40s adventure serials that the creators grew up on, it's certainly not unfair to refer to this movie as a throwback to a throwback. It gives its audience everything you expect and have come to love, but not much more than that.

That's not to say everything is old hat here. The setting has been updated to 1957, and Jones' eternal rivals, the Nazis, have been replaced with the Russians. They've actually captured Jones right from the opening scene, and brought him and his partner Mac (Ray Winstone from Beowulf) to an Area 51 hangar where they want his help in tracking down a treasure they're seeking for their own purposes. Jones narrowly escapes, not quite finding out what exactly the leader of the soldiers, the cold-hearted scientist and psychic Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett), was after. He gets his chance to find out soon enough when he's approached by a young motorcycle-riding greaser named Mutt (Shia LaBeouf), who wants Jones' help in tracking down his missing mother, as well as in solving an ancient riddle that is connected to a lost civilization. The mission ultimately revolves around an artifact known as the Crystal Skull, which is rumored to have originated in the mythical City of Gold. In their quest to learn more about the Skull, Jones and Mutt must constantly stay one step ahead of their Soviet pursuers, as they try to track down a former Professor friend of Jones named Oxley (John Hurt), who may know more about the Skull's origins, as well as a former flame of Jones' from the original Raiders film, the feisty Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), who is actually Mutt's missing mother.

Don't let that somewhat complex synopsis fool you, as Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is much more interested at delivering thrills and action than in explaining itself. Its plot of lost civilizations, alien artifacts left behind by advanced societies, and ancient riddles is all really just a hook to hang a series of increasingly elaborate action set pieces upon. Things get off to a rousing start with Indy's daring escape from the Area 51 hangar, and while there are moments here and there that sag, the pace of the film remains quite lively, allowing the two hours or so that the film runs to literally fly by. The main action highlight is an elaborate and lengthy chase sequence through the jungle, as Indy and his friends hop about through different vehicles (while they're in motion of course) as they try to prevent Irina from escaping with the Crystal Skull. In this day and age of rapid editing styles, it's almost refreshing that Spielberg lets us truly admire the sequence and the stunt work that went into it. I also admire the way he lets the scene build and build. Of course, a mere car chase just isn't enough for this movie. The scene also has to take itself to the treetops, where some monkeys get involved, and it also has to involve some flesh-eating ants in the process. Oh, and top it off with three raging waterfalls right in a row. Ridiculous? Undoubtedly, yes. Fun? Also, undoubtedly yes.

As mentioned earlier, it's been 19 years since the last movie, and the advancement in technology really shows. This is easily the best looking Indiana Jones adventure yet, thanks to the top drawer effects work, and the sharp cinematography by Janusz Kaminski (Munich). Everything certainly looks great, and the cast is at their best game. Though some may ridicule his decision to take up the role at his age, Harrison Ford all but proves the naysayers wrong, effortlessly slipping back into what is easily his most iconic role ever. He still has the dry wit, the pull-no-punches attitude, and the physique to pull off the demanding stunt work. Sure, there's more CG involved this time around, but he's still at the top of the game. Rising young actor, Shia LaBeouf, fits well into the franchise, and never once seems out of place as his latest sidekick. Spielberg has put a lot of faith in LaBeouf this past year, and it's easy to see why. He has a strong screen presence, and comes across as being very natural in just about every film he appears in. And then of course there is Karen Allen, who is wonderful to see again, and is just as lovely as she was in the original film back in 81. And yet, I wish the movie had done more with her. The few scenes she gets to share alone with Ford are a delight, it's a shame that the screenplay by David Koepp (Zathura, War of the Worlds) didn't do more with them.

So, even though this movie left a positive impression on me, why did I walk away wanting more? It's something I've been trying to figure out myself. It wasn't from inflated expectations, fortunately, it's just that even as a summer blockbuster, this is pretty thin stuff. This is one of those movies that you enjoy while you're watching it, but you have a hard time drumming up support when you think back on it. Crystal Skull is indeed a fun time, but those looking for something memorable may be disappointed. The earlier films were each memorable in their own way, and have rightfully been known as modern day classics. (Well, okay, maybe Temple of Doom and Last Crusade have their very vocal critics.) Here, there's a lot that impresses, but it just didn't stay with me at all. It would have been nice if the movie slowed down once in a while, and gave the supporting cast more to do. Lead villainess, Cate Blanchett, doesn't get much to do but glare menacingly and bark out orders to her men.

It should be interesting to see how the film does during the summer. It seems to be speaking to a very specific audience, and I don't know how that will translate to those who did not grow up watching the original films, or saw them in the theaters. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is passable escapism, but anyone who tries to call it more than that is fooling themselves. This is what I believe the movie was going for, and at that, it succeeds. I may have wanted more, but at least I'm happy with what I did get.

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