iP3K

I was lucky enough to win a pair of tickets to an advance screening of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. This movie marks the return of Harrison Ford in the role of the famous adventurer archaeologist. I’ll be upfront with the fact that I was too young to have experienced the original series. I’ve seen their re-runs on TV but haven’t paid significant attention to call myself a fan. I knew little bits and pieces so here is my review from the un-trained eye.

It boils down to be a really fun movie! That’s what you call an adventure epic, there is comic relief, amazing sight seeing and unexpected plot twists. The movie starts off with our heroes already captive from KGB operatives in search of a mysterious box. Henry “Indiana” Jones Jr. is not the kind of hero that requires an armor, mutant powers or lots of cash, he’s just working with what he’s got and survives stuff you know you just wouldn’t.

However fans of the original series might feel cheated as this movie was produced in the 21st century with all the means available today including CGI (computer generated imagery). When you think about it, many shots would of been near impossible to create in the 80’s with out the use of some funny miniature model. I came into this movie really spoiler free aside the few trailers out there I had no idea of what I would be getting. It’s probably a good thing for you too, because talking about the supernatural elements present inside this movie would spoil part of the mystery. All I could say is that this Crystal Skull would open The Ark and drink from the Holy Grail and still be up for a party.

I’ll have a special mention for Cate Blanchett that played a fine villain that I did not recognize at all. She played that character very well. There is also the rising star Shia LeBoeuf, that played a kind of “side-kick” to Indiana Jones.

Overall it was a very nice cinematic experience, despite the fact I had to sit in the first “very first” row in the theater. This movie was somewhat more enjoyable than Iron Man I’ve seen recently. I kind of felt the peril of the characters and I didn’t want their adventure to end in a bad way. I actually cared for the characters. So whether you are young or old there is no reason not to see this movie. It’s a great summer flick and it leaves a soothing after taste. Some critics reported that it didn’t quite feel like an Indiana Jones movie and that it could of been any action hero… I don’t think so, of course there are many nods and reference to pasts events but there is enough there to feel like there is a lot of back story. I will most definitely go rewatch the previous movies.