Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

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.

8/10