Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Reviews

Some people seem to bash this movie because it isn't as good as the original Indiana Jones trilogy. I agree with that part: it is not a good Indiana Jones movie but it for sure isn't a bad movie either. If this movie wasn't called "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" but "the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" people wouldn't hate it so much. But now it is compared to those timeless classics and that if something disappoints people.

The first half of the movie had some of the entertaining elements of the first movies and I liked it. The second half wasn't even near that. The plot kept getting worse and worse by every "twist" and "drama" in it until the stupid and cheesy ending which didn't work this time even though the other movies ended in a cheesy way also. But you must remember that Indiana Jones movies have always been Spielberg's attempt to make "B-movies" and you must watch them in such a mood also.

Action scenes in this movie were ok. Not as rememberable as in the older movies though. I must say that I got bored by all the chasing and fighting in the jungle because that scene seemed to last forever and had no point at all.

In short: Not a bad adventure movie but not a good Indiana Jones movie. An OK movie overall.

Oh I was SO looking forward to a 4th Indiana Jones movie. The anticipation was almost unbearable. I was so excited that Karen Allen would be returning as I liked her the best of all the women in the other three movies. Also Cate Blanchett is one of my favorite actresses and I was excited to see her in this new Indy movie. Anyway, I had heard it was horrible from a couple friends and it had bad ratings from the critics, but I still had high hopes that I would enjoy it anyway. When I finally got around to seeing the movie, I was sorely disappointed. I've always loved how Harrison Ford gave some realism to the character of Indiana Jones. Yeah, sure he gets in some crazy situations and manages to get out of them in even crazier ways and it is a little corny, BUT he doesn't make it seem particularly easy, he gets injured, he hurts and he's hilarious at the same time. The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull takes that silliness and turns it into camp. It's so silly that it's ridiculous. Eye-rolling silly, not funny silly. I expected silly cartoon sound effects at parts of the movie it just gets out of hand. Then... the aliens. I just don't know what to say about the aliens. I understand it's the 50s and the whole Roswell thing and the alien craze at the time, but it just did not work. Indiana Jones is silly, it's a little fantastic, it's a little supernatural, but it's not aliens. Oh and my poor Cate. I was so looking forward to her, but I just did not buy it. Maybe it was the whole atmosphere of the movie that made her performance seem ridiculous, but who knows. All I know is, there is an Indiana Jones trilogy. I'll just pretend they never made a fourth and be happy with that.

''Legend says that a crystal skull was stolen from a mythical lost city in the Amazon, supposedly built out of solid gold, guarded by the living dead. Whoever returns the skull to the city temple will be given control over its power.''

Famed archaeologist/adventurer Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones is called back into action when he becomes entangled in a Soviet plot to uncover the secret behind mysterious artifacts known as the Crystal Skulls.

Harrison Ford: Indiana Jones

Crystal Skull may I say is a breath of fresh air in one glorious stroke of genius by Steven Spielberg once again.
His fun ideas like Indy being saved by a fridge from an Atomic Blast to him blowing back a dart in some pygmy/Aztec's mouth to Indy clutching at a snake for dear life, is entertainment fun at it's best. Not to mention chases laden with effects that effortlessly stream across the screen. Crystal Skull has that magic from the other chapters and we see an older but still determined Jones out to save the World once again.



Now, about the cast. The star is aging, the sidekick is from Even Stevens, Karen Allen hasn't been in a big movie in God knows how many years, and, for some reason, people were worried about Cate Blanchett in her role. Well, let me put the concerns to rest,the entire cast is established pitch-perfect chemistry and everybody plays their parts incredibly well. Harrison Ford is, for the first time in a decade, having the time of his life and it shows in his excellent return to the famed American icon. It's no secret that he has been campaigning for this movie for years, and it shows in his strong performance. Karen Allen shares fantastic chemistry with both Shia LaBeouf and Ford, as she provides a lot of the necessary charm to the second act of the film. Blanchett uses a heavily over-the-top Russian accent, but she finds just the right note between creepy and intriguing to make her the best Indy villain since Belloq in Raiders. Ray Winstone does well enough in his role, as does John Hurt and Jim Broadbent.
Shia LaBeouf as Mutt(Echoes of Superman Returns family wise plus Mutt wasn't Indy named after the dog? :P) is sensational bringing youth and experience together with Ford. He's got attitude, spunk and charisma in his fresh approach, looking like something out of Grease but way more cooler.
Cate Blanchett as Irina seductive and beautiful even when playing a villain. She was fun along with Ray Winstone and John Hurt who added to fun upon fun.
Karen Allen has some good chemistry with Ford, showing a bickering but loving couple.
Look out for the reference to Raiders Ark Of The Covenant in the warehouse, bloody genius!
Music Skull has the flair of its predecessors which blends with the action and fast paced story. Effects are used but not overly while stunt work is not noticeable.

''I've got a bad feeling about this.''

Crystal Skull oozes 1950s: Russian spies, nuclear testing, a screening of Howdy Doody and Dr. Jones on a sort of academic blacklist all take place in the first ten-or-so minutes of the picture (as does—sad to say the high point of the film for me—a cameo appearance by Neil Flynn, a friend of Ford's from The Fugitive who is best known for his portrayal of The Janitor on ABC sitcom Scrubs). The filmmakers have discussed at length how, while the earlier Jones films were an attempt to capture the essence of the 30s and 40s adventure blended with a more contemporary feel, The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull will be a 50s-style action romp with some science-fiction sensibility thrown in for good measure (a questionable choice to start, as many of those films eventually ended up as Mystery Science Theater 3000 fodder). In an attempt to capture that feel, you have some campy dialogue, some stock characters. There's a fairly generic bar brawl, started by LaBoeuf and set to the tune of Shake, Rattle & Roll, which solidly plants this film in its era. This is an interesting artistic choice because in the previous Indy films, even with their date stamps, the adventures that always transpired were always relatively timeless, as is this.

''Well, the word for gold translates as treasure. But their treasure wasn't gold, it was knowledge. Knowledge was their treasure.''

The other aspect of the film that is bound to turn some heads is the role that extra-terrestrials play in the picture. As in Spielberg's classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind, there is no dialogue, as such, shared between man and his visitors...but their presence is strong and pervasive, particularly in the second half. Using Roswell as a jumping-off point, it is revealed that the good Dr. Jones has been used as a government agent in a variety of capacities since we last caught up with him--he is a Colonel in the Army, apparently, and also has worked with the CIA, MI6 and as a spy against the Russians in the time since Hitler autographed his father's diary for him in the early '40s.

The adventure sequences in the picture are unrealistic yet highly entertaining and fun. While some of the car chases and fight sequences are good, and alot of the side jokes are on the mark, there are times (Marion is injured while driving, but mysteriously gets better) that it's hard to follow visually what's going on as they try to pack too many characters and subplots into a fast-moving sequence. Many of Harrison Ford's comic moments are on-target, but other diversions,(such a CGI-rendered prairie dogs and LaBoeuf's own private army of monkeys) bring to mind some of the more artistically-questionable moments of Return of the Jedi and detract from the seriousness of consequences faced by our protagonists.

''I barely recognize this country anymore; the government has us seeing communists in our soup.''

A strong story and great performances don't imply that this film isn't flawless. It isn't, but the flaws are few-and-far between and didn't hinder my overall enjoyment of the film. The first 20 minutes are somewhat slow, it takes a little while to get to Marshall College. These first twenty minute aren't necessarily boring; it is still entertaining, but it could have used probably 5 minutes of edits and pacing corrections. This is my biggest problem with the film, and once Indy returns to Marshall College, the film really kicks off and turns into the roller coaster ride that everyone has been hoping for.
Crystal Skull itself is well written, and well made with only a few exceptions. As long as you don't expect another Raiders of the Lost Ark, you'll probably be pleased with the film as it is, with the exception of one sequence which doesn't quite seem to fit. Beyond that, the plot, characters and acting all fit with this new kind of Indy film.
Cinematography is not the 80s style we'd probably all like, but it's not bad. The camera is certainly held much more stable than many of today's films, and the action is very clear and easy to follow, as is the stunt work great. There is a lot of computer animation--most of it looks believable, but some of it does not--but that which was done well fits superbly.
Overall acting was also very good. I was very impressed by Cate Blanchett, and to my surprise very pleased with Shia LeBeouf's character and acting.

To conclude, all in all out of the installments of Indiana Jones they all have a religion or premise at the heart the deeper you look, while Raiders was Jewish, Doom was Hindu, Crusade was Christianity. And Skull is out of this world! Watch and see...

Skulls is definitely a terrific fun comic caper masterpiece of sorts and Indy whips back out of retirement!

''Imagine... To peer across the world and know the enemy's secrets... To place OUR thoughts into the minds of YOUR leaders... Make your teachers teach the true version of history, your soldiers attack on our command. We will be everywhere at once, more powerful than a whisper, invading your dreams, thinking your thoughts for you while you sleep. We will change you, Dr. Jones, all of you, from the inside. We will turn YOU into US. And the best part? You won't even know it's happening.''

I just watched Kingdom of the Crystal Skull last night and while it reminded me of why I loved the Indy series, I don't think it quite measures up to the older movies in the series. The story starts off many years after we last saw Indy,in 1957, Indy is approached by a young greaser named Mutt Williams who needs Indy's help in retrieving a mythical crystal skull so he can hand it over to the Russians, who are holding captive his mother and friend, professor Oxly, who happens to be an old colleague of Indy's. I won't say much more much on the plot so I won't give anything away, what's good about this movie is that it still has a lot of the familiar plot devices that made the original Indy movies great; a smartass Indy, harrowing chases, nasty villains, and exotic locales, but these same devices can seem overused sometimes, when you've seen all of the other movies you know what's coming. Some of the situations Indy and the gang get them selves out of are pretty damn implausible, even compared to the other movies, for example, Indy surviving a nuclear blast by hiding in a refrigerator. But, despite it's faults, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is still a lot of fun, as a lifelong Indy fan, I may be biased, but I'm glad George Lucus and co. decided to give to give Indy one more adventure.

When I first walked into the movie theater, I was excited to see Indy 4. It sounded like an excellent, and fun film to watch. I was very skeptical at the beginning of the film, considering I hadn't seen Harrison Ford as Indy in years. The verdict is, it was awesome to see him, he did great in the fourth installment. He was obviously not as good as we was in the classics, but that was expected. He sure can kick some butt for being sixty-five years old, wow, and he looked fifty. His acting was very good too. He did a great job.

Harrison Ford was accompanied by some excellent actors and actresses. Shia Labeouf was involved this time around, and he did a great job. He played a great character, and look out for some hilarious scenes he has. He goes on the journey with Indy, and learns the ropes. Karen Allen, from a previous Indy film, who was in a relationship with him, returns this time around. She does a great job. Their were two other big names involved this film too, like Ray Winstone, and Cate Blanchete. They both had great roles, and did not disappoint.

Everyone is saying that This film is not very good, or it has bad CGI, or whatever, but I completely disagree with them. I thought Indy 4 was a highly entertaining film, and brought back some memories from the previous classics. Yes, the film does have some weird aspects to it. When I say weird, I mean misplaced, and not something you would expect to see in an Indy film. Those things do not affect the film enough to make it a bad film. I admit, the green screen, was not the greatest, but it was such a small part in Indy 4, that I just ignored it and payed attention to the Great, and entertaining aspects of This film.

Overall, I thought Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull, was worth it, and it really brought back some greatness of the other Indiana Jones Films. I recommend this film to anyone who hasn't seen it yet. I will be buying this film, when it is released on DVD, and Blu-ray.

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is no Raiders of the Lost Ark but it is still a satisfying, entertaining action film - far better than other sequels I've seen (helloooo Matrix: Revolutions, I'm looking at you) in recent years.

It's well acted (though some important characters could have been utilized better) and does give in to the fact that Indiana Jones (and Harrison Ford) is not as spry as he once was.

The action and effects are spectacular - I don't think we could have expected anything less from Speilberg, Lucas and ILM. I did feel that a particular CGI scene would have been more in keeping with the Indy spirit if it had been live action.

But still I enjoyed watching Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and it's a good ending to the Indiana Jones franchise.

That sums it up...

It's not a bad movie, it's mostly entertaining and the action sequences are pretty good (and Harrison Ford shows his age). Despite all that, everything feels like it's been re-cycled. After three movies, what do we expect? The plot is wafer-thin, but this is a George Lucas creation, what do we expect? Thankfully, he wasn't writing the screenplay or directing it. Spielberg ran out of steam some years ago but at least he can effectively use old ideas. Cate Blanchett is wasted, but again, what do we expect?

Clearly, my expectations were pretty low going in. Go watch it if you're a fan of the series and you should be satisfied. If you're wondering what the fuss is all about, maybe you should go check out 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' and skip this one.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is the long awaited return of one of the most successful movie franchises ever. This time Indy is back, maybe not better than ever, but certainly to the pleasing of fans across the globe. It's been far too long since I've watched one of the Indiana Jones films, and this film is exactly what I needed to get back into the hype. There will be some that see The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and dislike it for various reasons, but I know for a fact that there will be many that will be entertained and thrilled to have Indy back, and I am one of them.

The plot is something that would be expected from an Indiana Jones film. Of course there are a few turns along the way with some new details brought into the series, but mostly it is what is to be expected (that, by the way, is not necessarily a bad thing). On this adventure we experience some Indy-style action and some great performances from actors new and old to the franchise. The film starts off on a high note with music and speeding cars to get the atmosphere started, and it's not long before we reach the place that we re-unite with the action hero himself. It didn't take long to reveal some of the key plot points and characters, but makes use of it's time efficiently only having a few parts that The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull could have done without. Seeing the character Indiana Jones back at first glance could be taken the wrong way, but for me it was superb to see Harrison Ford back at his best again. Obviously as the actor has aged, so has the character, so that in itself is staying true to the previous films. This time we see Indy back with very little differences, still with the iconic costume and fated humor, still the character we have come to love. It's not long after we first see him that the film gets right down to its plot and a memorable action sequence, and of course introduces the famed villain.

Steven Spielberg should be congratulated for his efforts with Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, creating an Indiana Jones film that will surely not be forgotten. For the most of this film the time is used effectively as we are shown the hidden treasures and secrets of the setting and characters. One of the only things that I noticed not exactly to my liking was the use of CGI. Although it is nothing compared to the use from other movies these days, for an Indiana Jones film it stands out. It definitely made the experience more realistic, but wasn't necessarily needed in some parts.
The original score by John Williams was phenomenal and exceeds other music in various other films in many ways. Just hearing that theme music sets the complete atmosphere of the film, particularly for the action scenes.

Harrison Ford has yet again showed the world what an iconic and innovative character he portrays. Without Harrison Ford this film would have gone nowhere, and I praise him for the dedication he has put into Indiana Jones, both in his performance and to be physically up to the part. Cate Blanchett introduces Indy's new baddie, Irina Spalko, and shows what a versatile and incredible actress she is. She gave an excellent and astonishing performance to create a character that is certainly one of a kind. Shia LaBeouf was very entertaining and gave the film light at times when it was most needed, while Karen Allen provided another familiar face to the Indiana Jones films. Even the other actors gave some pretty decent performances, those including Ray Winstone and John Hurt. Overall the acting in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was superb and overwhelming.

The main momentum for the return of Indy is the success of the previous films, and I have no doubt that this will be remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in the history of cinema. Not only has Indy come back with style, an incredible cast and a remarkable story to be remembered by, but it reminds us of what a true action/adventure movie really is. This is a must-see movie for Indy lovers and anyone interested in an action-packed film from start to finish.

"Legend says that a crystal skull was stolen from a mythical lost city in the Amazon, supposedly built out of solid gold, guarded by the living dead. Whoever returns the skull to the city temple will be given control over its power."

The fourth and final instalment in the celebrated Indiana Jones series was a long time coming. It has been 19 years since the release of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade; that's 19 years of the project being stopped and started. The classic adventure hero could only return if the correct screenplay was discovered. George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford finally gave the green light to a screenplay penned by David Koepp.

Every fan of the Indiana Jones movies will want to know if the painfully long wait was worth it. So is this fourth Indiana Jones film really worth the wait? The answer is an emphatic yes!

The plot of this movie was kept an enormous secret throughout the production. In this day and age that is a daunting task. The film is a lot more special when you don't know much about the plot. I don't intend on spoiling the film by providing an in-depth plot synopsis, so I shall be brief.

Beloved archaeologist and legendary adventurer Indiana Jones (Ford) becomes entangled in a Soviet plot to uncover the truth behind the Crystal Skull; an object of myth and superstition. The Soviets, lead by the nefarious Spalko (Blanchett), believe that with the power of the Crystal Skull they could dominate the world. Indy is now accompanied by several cohorts including the young Mutt Williams (LaBeouf), former lover Marion Ravenwood (Allen, reprising her role from Raiders of the Lost Ark), insane professor Oxley (Hurt) and long-time partner Mac (Winstone). With the Soviets endlessly pursuing them, the gang must try to elude capture and prevent the powerful ancient object from falling into the wrong hands.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is a lot deeper and more complex than implied in the short plot synopsis. The typical formula has been drastically altered, but this is a change for the better. Everything has been structured differently. The memorable opening in particular introduces us to the new Indiana Jones: he's no longer young and fast, but aging and fit.

An Indiana Jones film would never be complete without loads of action and exciting adventure. In this case there is plenty of action that begins quickly. The film is exceedingly fast-paced and over-the-top. There are several homages to classic films from the works of Spielberg and Lucas (the opening few shots mirror Duel and American Graffiti) while always being original and exciting. This film also retains numerous crew-members who worked on the previous movies. From the casting department, the editor, the producers - they have all been called back to make this one.

Of course this is now the age of CGI and blockbuster effects. About 30% of the film is CGI. But much of the film is actually live action. Old school effects appearing in contemporary cinema is a rare event indeed. Heaps of the action is extremely over-the-top. More so than the other films. A lot of the action is absurdly unrealistic, and this is one of the film's only flaws. All the action is at least entertaining with never a dull moment. I never felt bored at all. Never did I feel compelled to continually check my watch. This is the beauty of such fine filmmaking.

Spielberg is a fine director, now with an able new cinematographer who manages to recapture the wonderful cinematography of the previous films.

Harrison Ford will always be Indiana Jones. It's the part he was born to play! He's much older and he looks much older, but he is still energetic and fit for someone in their late 60s! Cate Blanchett is a formidable villain. Blanchett is one of the best working actresses of the current generation. She succeeds in playing a nefarious Russian villain. It's fantastic to see Karen Allen reprising the role of Marion Ravenwood. I have no complaints about the rest of the fantastic cast.

John Williams excels himself once again. No-one else can possibly compose the score for an Indiana Jones movie.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is definitely worth the wait! After years of scrapping ideas and scripts, I'm happy they finally settled on a screenplay and went ahead with the film. It's a vastly different Indiana Jones film of course. Because of advancing technology it looks and feels different. But the film is fun, filled with action and provides an extremely fitting conclusion for everyone's favourite adventurer. I was just disappointed that it had to end. Beware: this Indy movie is more of a 1950s alien B-Movie.

8.8/10