Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 10/14/2008 Run time: 122 minutes Rating: Pg13
Nearly 20 years after riding his last Crusade, Harrison Ford makes a welcome return as archaeologist/relic hunter Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, an action-packed fourth installment that's, in a nutshell, less memorable than the first three but great nostalgia for fans of the series. Producer George Lucas and screenwriter David Koepp (War of the Worlds) set the film during the cold war, as the Soviets--replacing Nazis as Indy's villains of choice and led by a sword-wielding Cate Blanchett with black bob and sunglasses--are in pursuit of a crystal skull, which has mystical powers related to a city of gold. After escaping from them in a spectacular opening action sequence, Indy is coerced to head to Peru at the behest of a young greaser (Shia LaBeouf) whose friend--and Indy's colleague--Professor Oxley (John Hurt) has been captured for his knowledge of the skull's whereabouts. Whatever secrets the skull holds are tertiary; its reveal is the weakest part of the movie, as the CGI effects that inevitably accompany it feel jarring next to the boulder-rolling world of Indy audiences knew and loved. There's plenty of comedy, delightful stunts--ants play a deadly role here--and the return of Raiders love interest Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood, once shrill but now softened, giving her ex-love bemused glances and eye-rolls as he huffs his way to save the day. Which brings us to Ford: bullwhip still in hand, he's a little creakier, a lot grayer, but still twice the action hero of anyone in film today. With all the anticipation and hype leading up to the film's release, perhaps no reunion is sweeter than that of Ford with the role that fits him as snugly as that fedora hat. --Ellen A. Kim Stills from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Click for larger image)
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.0 / 5.0
You will be embarrassed for everyone involved in making this movie:
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, George Lucas was given a spark of genius which empowered him to write and direct such inspired classics as "Star Wars" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark". Then, for whatever reason, the charism was taken away in the mid 80s and the man has spent the ensuing decades churning out mostly rubbish. Not only has he embarrassed himself with horrific new conceptions like "Howard the Duck", but he has debased the quality of his successful franchises with sequels and "prequels"... more info
SOMETHING ONLY A TRUE FAN WILL LIKE:
I heard that this movie sucked so I did'nt go to the theaters so I rented it and I liked it something that was different and new I would like to see them make another. but like I said only A true fan would like it like the new star wars movies episode three sucked but I still bought it so as a hard core fan I liked it nothing like the origanal.
Speilberg lost his touch.:
What a terrible movie. I know that some movies are meant to be entertaining but this was a ridiculous movie. I liked Temple of Doom way better. The plot of this movie was horrible, see monkey scene to know what I mean. It would have been better off if he did not make a sequel and left the franchise untouched.
Indiana Jones:
Good DVD. I was glad I could order online since I live 30 minutes from the closest place to buy it and it is always cheeper on Amazon.
