Snowball Reviews...Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Throw the idol, and I'll throw you the whip, it's that time again folks, time to put back on our fedoras and our leather jacket and take a wild ride that is Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Watch the Trailer above, and click "Read More" to read my review!

Summary:

Indy's back!! Nothing more can be said. The Trilogy by Dynamic Duo Steven Spielberg and George Lucas brings Harrison Ford back as our favourite archaeological professor/Treasure Finder.

If you remember in the last movie we saw Indy ride off into the sunset, well this time we find our where that sunset led to by going over ten years later to 1957. There we find the Nazis are a thing of Indy's past, but the Russians are now starting their Lenin like grip on the Western World. This time around Indy must find a mythical Crystal Skull, or more importantly the lost Kingdom of that Crystal Skull. He is joined by Motorbike riding, Slick haired Greaser, Mutt Williams played by Shia LaBeouf. As well as old flame and Raiders of the Lost Ark star Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood. They all must race to find this kingdom before Russian KGB Agent Irina Spalko played by Cate Blanchett finds it first.

I won't go into too much detail of the movie, only because I don't want to spoil a lot for you, I only stated the story above because all that information you get is from the trailers. If you are reading this and have not seen Indiana Jones, I encourage you to see it first, for there may be possible spoilers for you.

You have been warned.

POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD

You know how this works, this review will be split into categories; Story, Characters/Acting, Special Effects, and Geek/Fun Factor.

Story:

Blasting the John Williams soundtrack in my ears, as I sat in the movie theatre, I knew I was in for a treat. One of the things that the Indy stories does is weave a story based on Earth's mythological past and take Indy on an action packed ride to find out the secrets of that past.

This story while steering away from the supernatural side of what Indy was known for, we take a different approach, this time with a possible X-Files like encounter where Aliens may be involved. Yes you heard that right, aliens. More on that later.

One thing I liked about the story was the whole history of the Mayan/Incan empire that somehow mysteriously disappeared thousands of years ago. Although their disappearance is never explained, it is interesting to see the possibility that that great technologically advanced civilization may have had a little help, and not with human hands. That at least is the theory.

Now even though yes aliens are involved with this story, I was perfectly fine with playing with the idea up until the end of the movie where we see a lot more of these aliens. I won't say much, but if you have seen it, all I have to say is "Space's between Space" But with that said, I am probably the only one who is actually okay with aliens in an Indy movie, just as long as we don't go there again.

Oh and I loved the nice touch of seeing Area 51 where all the large crates of American secrets are, which we did see at the end of Raider's of the Lost Ark when the ark was wheeled into this large warehouse. Yeah, that's where the ark ended up. Which was cool because we saw the ark again this time around. Nice touch.

All in all, I would love to give the story more credit, but the aliens could've been dialed down a bit. If they did an X-Files type thing were you never know and Mulder is left with wanting to believe, or in this case Indy, I would've liked it more. But I guess George and Steven can never really stay away from the little green men.

Story = 3/5 Snowballs

Characters/Acting

The main thing to take away from this movie is the fact that Indy is definitely back in true fighting form. Although much older than he was when he did his first silhouette shadow shot, Ford does prove that his age is never a factor in this movie. You are never felt thinking that Indy was too old. They didn't even really play the cane and walker card that much where every five minutes there would be a joke of Indy's age. Which I was worried they would do, but thankfully they didn't.

So for those naysayers, Indy can still kick your ass at 64.

Now with age, comes remembrance of old friends and introducing new ones. Indy 4 did a nice job of remembering Marcus Brody and Henry Jones Sr. Although now gone and passed, we do get a nice shot of both of their pictures on Indy's desk. It reminded me of how awesome Sean Connery was as Indy's dad, and wish he could've come back out of retirement. But Indy's friends are not all gone, Karen Allen returns as Marion Ravenwood who is great at annoying Indy and arguing with him like there hasn't been two movies between them. Allen is great again and I wished that there was more of her to do this time around. But none the less great job.

At any rate, the new characters, Spalko and Mutt, were awesome additions to the movie. I have come to really admire the talent of Blanchett and LaBeouf lately, and their latest movies were I think the best of their careers. What's great is that LaBeouf is only getting started! If what George is saying for a possible Indy 5 is that LaBeouf may be the main character of choice the next time around, I wouldn't mind that actually. As long as Ford is back, I'll be okay with it.

Either way, great casting, great acting, and what can I say, Indy definitely does not act his age.

Characters/Acting = 5/5 Snowballs

Special Effects:

Okay, so not much going on here, I mean there is obvious special effects in this movie, but what's great is that, like Iron Man, practical effects are definitely in full effect.

Movie looks great in scope and how large the jungles of the Amazon are, and I enjoyed it immensely.

Not else can be said, everything looked like it should be.

Special Effects = 4/5 Snowballs

Geek/Fun Factor:

Dude, what else can I say, it's freakin' Indiana Jones! It's been over twenty years since we have seen him and he looks just as good as he did back then, except with more gray hair.

Either way, this is where my fun factor comes into play because I really really had fun watching this movie! I sat in the theatre enjoying every minute of it. If I could say one thing about this movie is that it is definitely fun to watch. Turn off your brain, grab some popcorn, sit, and just have fun!

Oh and I want the hat.

Geek/Fun Factor = 5/5 Snowballs

Overall:

Well overall even though Indy 4 could've done without the aliens, it still was a fun ride, and is definitely up there as one of my favourite movies of the summer, along with Iron Man and Prince Caspian. I have not been disappointed with any of these blockbuster hits, and 2008 is shaping to be a great year. I mean come on when are you going to get an Iron Man, Batman, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and an Incredible Hulk movie in one summer?! That just doesn't happen!

Great movie, and I can't wait to see it again.

Now if you'll excuse me, I must go pick up my leather jacket and hat from the cleaners.

Overall = 4/5 Snowballs

What are your thoughts? Tell me what you think of this review or the movie!

As always I remain obediently yours.

Steve "Snowball" Saylor