The Adventures of Indiana Jones - The Complete Movie Collection

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)

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Lucas and Spielberg's giant turd

In all seriousness, even with LOWERED EXPECTATIONS (I had heard this movie wasn't very good) the fourth Indiana Jones movie completely underwhelmed me. I kept waiting for a good action scene (Shia Lebuff jousting with a Russian dominatrix on a car does not count) or an interesting plotline or some kind of payoff...NOTHING. This movie is so far removed from the classic first two films (BTW, count me among those who loved Temple of Doom with its breakneck speed, thrills, general creepiness, etc.). Now, I did not have any problem with the extraterrestrial stuff, as there was plenty of supernatural mumbo jumbo in the first three films...however, the "quest" in this movie LED TO NOTHING!!! There was NO PAYOFF!!! I didn't buy Harrison Ford as an action star any more, the characters were dumb, and I was left with a palpable anger towards Spielberg and Lucas for ruining a great franchise. They spent years and years on this script...THIS is what they came up with? Disappointing, to say the least. November 19, 2008

Not The Strongest Movie in the Indiana Jones Franchise

Ugh, not a good movie. I was thoroughly disappointed on the whole with the new Indiana Jones movie and was glad that I only saw it via dvd rental.

Yes, the action was good and non-stop as to be expected, but the storyline wasn't even good. The previous three Indiana Jones movies had a pleasant balance of both action and storyline, but not this one.

Also, the action scenes seemed to be down almost entirely of CG/computer graphics and the CG looked so fake and unreal, which was another let down while watching this movie. I'd have thought with all the technology out there today, that the CG would have been a lot better quality... I guess I thought wrong. November 18, 2008

Crystal Skull

This is pretty much a must have for Indiana Jones fans. The blu ray version with a good sound system gives you better results than in any theater, accept for possibly Imax.
A few surprises and a good ending make it alot of fun.
November 18, 2008

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of DISAPPOINTMENT

Watched the movie.... WHY DID THEY HAVE TO MAKE IT ALIENS??? That was a huge disappointment right at the beginning of the movie. And Shia's acting was mediocre in this one, like he was a tough guy Kid. Good FX though. November 18, 2008

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the crystal skull

I recieved a terrible copy. I guess I should have known by the price. The copy I recieved looks like it was pirated. It was, I am sure copied from and original many many many times before. November 18, 2008

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