Indiana's back, not better than ever
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Did that just happen? I mean, did I enter the wrong theatre? Surely this can't be the awe-inspiring, death-defying, and gloriously mysterious Indiana Jones that I grew up idolizing? Where are the fabulous locations? Where are the dynamic supporting characters? Where the hell is John Rhys-Davies?
I understand that Indy movies have never been too keen on realism or historical truth, but I don't remember the original trilogy ever feeling as unnatural and sloppy as the Crystal Skull. Forgive me for being an old-school fan of elaborate sets, location shoots and stunt doubles, but the spirit of the franchise has always been in the incredibly epic look of the film. From the vast desert and cavern shots of Raiders, to the Italian architecture of Crusades, Indiana Jones has always taken moviegoers to the most remote and incredibly historic locals that have defined the Action-Adventure genre since it's last release.
Unfortunately, Spielberg and company trade in the natural look of the original trilogy for a more modern CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) interpretation. It seemed like every outdoor shot had that 300 gloss to it, resulting in the effects distracting away from the story, rather than complimenting it.
There are, however, moments of brilliance throughout the film. Harrison Ford does an admirable job in resurrecting the legendary Dr. Jones. His performance in Crystal Skull is the best we've seen from him the past decade, after a number of lackluster thrillers. Maintaining the balance of Henry Jones Jr. with his combination of wit and intelligence, Ford proves he can still carry a movie. Newcomers Shia LaBeouf and Cate Blanchett enter into the Indiana universe as well as anyone could, providing most of the over-the-top humour that the series has been known for.
Indy fans should be happy to know that the series hasn't completely forgotten about the original trilogy, as there are a number of references throughout the film; from the now iconic map-travel montage scenes, to the odd “return” of characters passed. As well, enough can't be said about John Williams and his musical contributions to the franchise. His incredible score is back in full effect and is one of the few reasons why Crystal Skulls is acceptable as another installment of the series
In hindsight, I regret watching the original movies before seeing Crystal Skull. With such an iconic character, it's incredibly difficult to live up to everyone's expectations. Spielberg and Lucas are legendary filmmakers responsible for some of the biggest and most revolutionary films of our time, but despite the years separating Crystal Skull and Crusades, the new installment feels a bit rushed. Though still an entertaining movie, it misses the mark in functioning as a true sequel to The Last Crusade. It's best to keep an open mind and fresh approach when watching the film, because if you're expecting the same Indy you will be deeply disappointed. Despite everything wrong with the film, I still look forward to seeing it again — albeit with my brain turned off.
Did that just happen? I mean, did I enter the wrong theatre? Surely this can't be the awe-inspiring, death-defying, and gloriously mysterious Indiana Jones that I grew up idolizing? Where are the fabulous locations? Where are the dynamic supporting characters? Where the hell is John Rhys-Davies?
I understand that Indy movies have never been too keen on realism or historical truth, but I don't remember the original trilogy ever feeling as unnatural and sloppy as the Crystal Skull. Forgive me for being an old-school fan of elaborate sets, location shoots and stunt doubles, but the spirit of the franchise has always been in the incredibly epic look of the film. From the vast desert and cavern shots of Raiders, to the Italian architecture of Crusades, Indiana Jones has always taken moviegoers to the most remote and incredibly historic locals that have defined the Action-Adventure genre since it's last release.
Unfortunately, Spielberg and company trade in the natural look of the original trilogy for a more modern CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) interpretation. It seemed like every outdoor shot had that 300 gloss to it, resulting in the effects distracting away from the story, rather than complimenting it.
There are, however, moments of brilliance throughout the film. Harrison Ford does an admirable job in resurrecting the legendary Dr. Jones. His performance in Crystal Skull is the best we've seen from him the past decade, after a number of lackluster thrillers. Maintaining the balance of Henry Jones Jr. with his combination of wit and intelligence, Ford proves he can still carry a movie. Newcomers Shia LaBeouf and Cate Blanchett enter into the Indiana universe as well as anyone could, providing most of the over-the-top humour that the series has been known for.
Indy fans should be happy to know that the series hasn't completely forgotten about the original trilogy, as there are a number of references throughout the film; from the now iconic map-travel montage scenes, to the odd “return” of characters passed. As well, enough can't be said about John Williams and his musical contributions to the franchise. His incredible score is back in full effect and is one of the few reasons why Crystal Skulls is acceptable as another installment of the series
In hindsight, I regret watching the original movies before seeing Crystal Skull. With such an iconic character, it's incredibly difficult to live up to everyone's expectations. Spielberg and Lucas are legendary filmmakers responsible for some of the biggest and most revolutionary films of our time, but despite the years separating Crystal Skull and Crusades, the new installment feels a bit rushed. Though still an entertaining movie, it misses the mark in functioning as a true sequel to The Last Crusade. It's best to keep an open mind and fresh approach when watching the film, because if you're expecting the same Indy you will be deeply disappointed. Despite everything wrong with the film, I still look forward to seeing it again — albeit with my brain turned off.
