For me summer means the rush of summer movies released into the theatres. Summer movies aren't menat to change the world or even to expand upon your knowledge of the world. Rather, they should be mindless, exciting, and fun.
The Indiana Jones series is a perfect example of this - for eight years, starting in 1981, we suspended beliefe while we watched Indiana travel the world, fighting bad guys, and saving the day everytime. The series was a throwback to the 1930s film serial treasure hunter and pulp action heroe flicks. I enjoyed the three installments for what they were - pure entertainment!
I confess to being a wee bit concerned when I heard that they were making a fourth movie in the series. Harrison Ford isn't, well, young any more. How would a man in his mid sixties look as he raced through wild settings attempting to defeat evil doers? That, and the fact that it has been 19 years since we last saw the character on screen, caused me to be 'cold' about the movie. With that in hand I went with mom and Paul to see it last night.
I was surprised.
Firstly, the film wisely incorporates Indy's age into the plot. It has been 19 years since his last adventure. the world has changed. Indy is old, more tentative, and not quite as limber as he once was (although I still wouldn't wnat to pick a fight with him!).
The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is a pretty good installment in the series. There were a few things I didn't like. For example, I think there were too many new characters that didn't have the time/space they needed to become fully formed characters. This isn't a problem the other movies had. It felt like there were a lot of faces we never saw before and had even less reason to care about.
From here on in, there are going to be some minor spoilers. be warned if you haven't seen the film.
I like the parts of the movie that deal with characters and names we already know. Marian and Abner Ravenwood (and Mutt). I can deal with the introduction of John Hurt's character (and he did a great job). The more I think about it, the more I think Mac and all that had no place in the movie. Indiana Jones isn't a spy, and we never needed the added element of double-crossing to make the movies interesting.
The story takes place in the 1950s, about 20 years after the original trilogy. It opens with a scene in which Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), a prisoner of some Russians led by the sinister Irena Spalko (Cate Blanchett), is taken into a secret government warehouse to retrieve a large and mysterious magnetic box. A dramatic fight ensues. Featuring fast moving vehicles, lots of running around on rafters, and a rocket sled, this opening sequence pretty much sets the tone of the movie - fast, exciting and extremely action packed.
The main plot of the movie revolves around Harold Oxley (John Hurt), a former colleague of Jones, who vanished in South America after discovering a crystal skull. So Indy makes his way down to Peru, accompanied by Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf), a young and overconfident individual who serves as the perfect foil to the older, more experienced Indy. There are some twists and revelations in store, both in terms of the crystal skulls and in terms of the characters themselves.
The movie is visually spectacular, and the script is very enjoyable too. I was pleased to note that the writers have indeed done their research: for example, when Indy mentions skull binding, a real practice among certain Native American peoples. At times, the action does perhaps stretch credibility a little too much (fridge. Waterfalls. Vine swinging…).
And now, for old times’ sake, the media studies genre bit. This movie has all the defining characteristics of an action adventure movie, including fight scenes and chase scenes. However, it also borrows characteristics from other genres, most obviously fantasy and science fiction. The setting varies from scene to scene; much of it is very firmly rooted in the 1950s, but there are some more exotic settings such as the Amazon Rainforest and, naturally, ruined temple complexes. The set design, incidentally, is very impressive, with a lot of attention paid to detail.
I definitely enjoyed this movie, and would certainly recommend it to anyone who doesn’t mind having to suspend disbelief a little.
Jerry, I confess to being an Indy fan myself! And it was great to see Marian Ravenwood again (and Indiana Jones with a woman his own age) I also like Mutt, a nice mix of cockiness and clumsiness.
The only element that caused some eyerolling on my part, came at the very end. I'm afraid of saying too much and being a spoiler, but I think Steven Spielberg dipped a bit too much into his past movie greats. (Irina call home?)
Posted by: sandrac | June 29, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Do you think that Mutt will take off as the 'new Indy". I liked the way they allowed him to take many of the action sequences that Indy might normally have done. Sort of passing the torch.
Eyerolling? Don't you think it could happen? I thouight it was quite plausible! LOL
Posted by: Jerry | June 30, 2008 at 07:18 AM
Yes, I think Mutt will be the new Indy...a great way to go with all that.
Nice review.
Sometimes you just have let the eyes roll and enjoy that for what it is...LOL.
Posted by: Kayte | July 12, 2008 at 11:22 AM
That is the best thing about summer blockbusters - you don't need to think - just let loose and enjoy yourself.
Posted by: Jerry | July 12, 2008 at 08:53 PM