Thoughts on Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull

[Ian]

The wife and I got a sitter last night and went to see the new Indy movie. The place was packed and it was the first time I had to wait in line to get into the theater since I saw Ep 3.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the movie. I don't think it was good as Raiders or Last Crusade, but it stayed true to Indy. Shia was really good in it and it was great to see Marion again. I really enjoyed the sci-fi spin on things. It was a refreshing change from the traditional history/myth that the other Indy movies focused on.

There were a few lame parts like when Mutt was swinging from the vines, but there weren't any real embarassing parts like in Transformers. Overall, I highly recommend seeing the movie, even if you're not an Indy fan.

[SithTracy]

I saw it last night and while I enjoyed it, I admit, I went to the theater with much higher expectations. And for all the hype and secrecy around the film I expected more. Because of the time it was set and the opening scene, I figured out before it happened what the premise was going to be around. I'll keep it to myself so I don't spoil it for anyone.

Still, a worthy summer film. Just did not live up to all the hype and secrecy for me.

Also saw Narnia Prince Caspian this weekend... ehh, It was okay. Indy was better.

[dolphinius_rex]

I'm seeing Indiana Jones tomorrow finally. I saw Prince Caspian late last week and enjoyed it.

I'm glad to hear that Shia doesn't ruin Indiana Jones though... after Transformers I was cringing when I saw him showing up in the new Indie movie.

[LoneWolf]

Finally saw it this weekend.

The goods - Bringing Karen Allen back as Marion Ravenwood. Remembering to give Harrison Ford the complement of one-liners that has made the Indiana Jones movies so great.

The bads

-Spielberg and Lucas made the mistake too many (even good) directors/producers are making these days by falling in love with CGI to the point where they make impossible unrealistic stunts that detract from a great movie, or animals that act in such unrealistic ways that it's obvious they aren't real.
-I think there could have been some really good plot/character development if Shia's character wasn't so "get-along" with people. Some additional tension between himself and Indy (especially during those long archaelogical lecture moments) might have added some real humor.
-Showing a big flying saucer right after showing an inter-dimensional portal for the aliens. Why in the heck does anyone need a flying saucer if they have a huge freaking inter-dimensional portal?
-Skipping any mention WHATSOEVER of Sallah (Jon Rhys-Davies). Heck, they could tell us that Marcus Brody died, and couldn't even list what happened to Sallah?
-One last question, a friend brought up: Why is Indy's father dead if he drank out of the Holy Grail, which supposedly results in eternal life? (One could similarly ask why Indy would ever be in danger at any time, since he drank from it himself)

I enjoyed the movie, but "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "The Last Crusade" were far better films. Yeah, I know, I'm a cynical old cuss.

[Ian]

-One last question, a friend brought up: Why is Indy's father dead if he drank out of the Holy Grail, which supposedly results in eternal life? (One could similarly ask why Indy would ever be in danger at any time, since he drank from it himself)

To remain immortal, he needed to stay within the cave where the Grail was kept.

Yeah, I missed seeing Sallah. Then again, he's from the middle-east and it would be odd to see him in the jungle. A mention would have been nice though. Even a cameo at the end.