08-06-10 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

Seen: June 10, 2008
Format: Theater
Rating: 5

This is hard. It's been nineteen, that's 1-9, years since our hero graced the big screen. Not to disparage the whole "Young Indiana Jones" thing, as I'm not really familiar with them, but I'm talking about our venerated hero, in is full glory. A long time. A long, patient wait.

The film's beginning sets the tone for everything to follow. Basically, we get nostalgia and cheap CGI. If that's what you came for, you'll be content, if not sated.

The opening scene seems a nod to Lucas' great American Graffiti, which had a star studded cast containing our Mr. Ford. But whereas that film had a gritty, palpable realism, this one has a smooth plastic sheen that's unavoidable. I wondered out loud if that effect was intentional; if the point was to enhance the feeling that it was all a sham, all made of foam, spackle and greasepaint. Perhaps so, given the nature of the skull's origin, and the plethora of theories, of varying degrees of sanity, concerning exactly what our government may be hiding from us.

The plot as well, while temporally consistent, is pretty thin. What the villains are after and their motivations are not any more rational than in previous films, but somehow seem thinner, less well defined. The "legends" around the skull are also thin and tenuous, and even less defined. Your ability to suspend your disbelief will be tested here, because the veneer that is plot can't hold it's own weight.

During the action sequences are where we find oursleves on firmer ground. Here's where we reminded that we're actually in an Indy film. There's spills and thrills aplenty. The action is fast-paced, but not dizzying. There's appropriate comedic relief and the occasional squeem inducing moment so critical to the series. The characters are in full bloom here, doing what they do best, even the new kid.

Acting? It's there. This is a cast of accomplished veterans and talented newcomers. They do nicely with what they have to work with. LeBeouf, Ford, Hurt, Winstone and Allen tackle their roles with gusto. Blanchett and Broadbent are appropriately more reserved, but no less involved.

I can't say I hated this film. Even thought I hated aspects of it, there's enough nostalgia and fun familiar ground here for me to sit through the utterly absurd parts of the film

All the while, waiting, patiently.

The Good: Reconciliation and generational hand-off.
The Bad: Whose skull? You've got to be kidding.
The Ugly: An unexpected journey to ant land.