Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Viewer Rating:Mark Boyle has rated Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull rating: 4 Star

Well, I went to see “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” on Friday, not being able to postpone the wait any longer. And, all things considered, it was well worth seeing on the big screen. To encapsulate the plot succinctly, Indy is forcibly hauled out of adventuring retirement when he is kidnapped by a group of crazed Soviets who are looking for something concealed in a huge warehouse at “Area 51” in the Nevada desert. Yes, that's the warehouse in which we saw the Ark of the Covenant being stored away at the end of “Raiders”, so watch out for the Ark's brief reappearance in the scenes set there. If it doesn't make you smile you're an old sourpuss. Dr. Jones is back at his old Marshall College lecturing post, but as the latest film is set in 1957 and he's getting a tad long in the tooth, his female students no longer flirt with him. Don't you just hate getting old? :) Harrison Ford reprises his role as Indiana Jones with effortless skill, and, particularly for the first half of the film, it's as if he never left it, although the weary, long-suffering expression that was habitual with the character now seems more appropriate than ever. His boss, dean Charles Stanforth, is ably portrayed by Jim Broadbent, an old stalwart of the British acting scene who is always a delight to watch in anything and doesn't disappoint here either, despite the fact that this can really only be described as a cameo role. The movie is also notable for performances by a couple of other dependable Brit actors – namely John Hurt, playing Professor Oxley, an expert on the Mayan civilisation, and Ray Winstone as George McHale, apparently yet another one of Indy's old sparring partners. Cate Blanchett is cast as Irina Spalko, the supposedly psychic leader of the aforementioned squad of Soviet soldiers, and she looks (in my opinion, anyway) fantastic with black, bobbed hair. Hell, I'd go to see her open an envelope. :) Don't expect her character in this film to be subtle, though, because she's anything but. That, however, only makes things all the more fun as Colonel-Doctor Spalko is your classic, uncomplicated evil bitch. The only other significant female role in the movie is the welcome return of Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood, Indy's original and best sidekick and girlfriend from “Raiders”. This time she's got a little surprise for him. :) Karen's looking pretty good in this film, considering that “Raiders” was released 27 years ago. She's certainly aged better than poor old Harrison, but then she's got a good ten years or so on him. Also worth a mention is Shia LaBeouf, playing “Mutt” Williams, apparently a stereotypical 50s greasy biker. His initial appearance on his classic Harley-Davidson shows him dressed exactly like Marlon Brando in “The Wild One”, for all you film buffs out there. Finally, look out for a brief cameo by Neil Flynn, who plays the janitor in the medical comedy series “Scrubs”, as Agent Smith (no, not that Agent Smith). Those of you who watch “Scrubs” will already be aware that he previously worked with Harrison Ford when he played a transit cop in “The Fugitive” back in 1993, this fact being a plot point in one of the episodes. There's lots of familiar stuff in this film to make us feel that we're definitely in Indiana Jones territory. The bullwhip's there. One scene in particular very amusingly references Indy's renowned fear of snakes. Creepy-crawlies are once again present and correct in the form of scorpions and, memorably, huge driver ants. International travel is suggested by an animated red line superimposed upon a map of the world. There is a chase sequence involving South American tribesmen. There are ancient ruins protected by vicious traps. And, of course, there are several long vehicular chase scenes, including a very cool motorcycle pursuit featuring some terrific stunt work, something we've come to expect from these movies. What's not so great is that another chase scene, set in the South American jungle, displays some very obvious and unconvincing CGI. Okay, I can appreciate the fact that perhaps Spielberg didn't want to endanger Shia Labeouf's prospects of fatherhood during that sequence, but why didn't he just accomplish it with a stunt double rather than employing shoddy computer effects? That said, there's a hell of a lot more to like than dislike in this film. Witness how Indy escapes from the Area 51 complex. Snicker with anticipation when you see where he wanders into having left there (Area 51 isn't the only thing located in the Nevada desert, after all, is it?). Admittedly this latter sequence is ludicrously implausible, but only an idiot would watch an Indiana Jones film for its gritty realism. Instead, revel in the fact that you're watching another Indy movie on the big screen (you are watching it at the cinema, aren't you?) and enjoy the whole Erich-von-Daniken-Chariots-of-the-Gods-esque experience.

Review published on the 27 May 2008 17:07