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Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Time Out rating

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121 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Dr Indiana Jones: a hokey, old-fashioned movie action-hero from the childhood of many film-goers who was based, back in the burgeoning summer blockbuster days of the early 1980s, on a hokey, old-fashioned movie action-hero from the childhood of director Steven Spielberg.

Yes, in case you haven’t realised, Harrison Ford is back as the university professor with a sideline in battling bad guys in a strictly archaeological context and a skill for dodging bullets and boulders in comic book fashion – without suffering a graze. Other pop-iconic inventions, like Batman, have since enjoyed the post-modern treatment at the hands of younger filmmakers like Christopher Nolan, but Spielberg avoids any nod-and-a-wink approach. There’s the odd self-referential moment that points to Indy’s age and to past plots but mostly this is played as straight as the fringe on Cate Blanchett as the villain of the piece.

It’s 1957, Jones has a good war record behind him, the Cold War is in full thrust, and fetish fans can rest easy in the knowledge that Indy has kept that hat, whip and leather jacket from his younger days. He digs them out when Mutt (Shia LaBeouf), a young lad who rides into the movie in a nod to Brando in ‘The Wild One’ – all leathers and attitude – offers Indy the challenge of hunting down the Crystal Skull of Akator.

Of course, Indy’s not alone in the search. There are Soviet agents on his trail, led by Blanchett. These are the same agents, all with that glassy stare that American movies often attribute to commies, who we’ve already seen Indy battle with on an American air field in the film’s first action set-piece. For this episode, he narrowly escapes from a nuclear test-bomb that’s detonated on a mock-up of the typical ’50s town. This is surprisingly chilling in tone and slightly recalls the creepy suburban set-up of the early scenes of Spielberg’s ‘AI’. But only Spielberg would puncture this nod at nuclear horror with a quick cut to an anodyne shot of fluffy desert animals.

The rest is familiar. There are car chases, quick sand, river pursuits, poison darts, and exotic locations from the Nevada desert to the jungles of Peru and the Amazon. The only real additions to the mix are some new characters, including Shia LaBoeuf as Indy’s younger sidekick and Ray Winstone as a companion closer to his own age, and a recourse to computer imagery that becomes less and less hidden as the film unfolds. There’s a nod to alien involvement towards the end of the film that feels out of place, and the more the film relies on spectacle, both from special effects and from production design, the more it segues from what audiences really want: human stunts and up-close combat. It’s all perfectly acceptable as a minor thrill ride – nothing more. The film doesn’t feel as punchy, amusing or as fast-paced as the best of the other three films, but it’s passable both as nostalgia and old-fashioned action-adventure that favours impossible leaps from waterfalls over psychological insights and anything in the realm of plot that you could possibly need to believe.

It’s John Hurt as an old academic buddy of Mr Jones who utters a significant line as this fourth adventure, 21 years since the last, comes to a close in a scene that’s so sentimental – even by Spielberg’s standards – that you might be shoving your fist down your throat at the very sight of it. He ponders ‘How much of human life is lost in waiting.’ Is that Mr Spielberg suggesting we shouldn’t get our hopes up over these silly things? If so, he’s definitely right. Expect little, remember that the first three films were all basic affairs, and you might just – just – avoid disappointment.

Author: Dave Calhoun 2008-05-18 19:44:54

Time Out London Issue 1970, May 21 - 27, 2008

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User reviews of this film

Sia said...

Posted on Jun 20 2008 19:22 I liked this movie...I am fan of Indiana when i was a child and the whole alien concept is a typical Spielberg thing just there was a few scenes that made me think hmm...like how can he survive a nuclear explosion in a fridge??? also what i was curious on why did the alien at the end do what he did...but overall it was a good movie lots of action and comedy.

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Beth said...

Posted on Jun 20 2008 18:31 Having never seen a Indiana Jones, I was worried that I would'nt enjoy the film. But trust me, this film is absolutely AMAZING!!!! Harrison Ford's age does'nt at all affect the movie, it makes you laugh, jump, and you'll find yourself drawn into the plot. Some parts are quite predictable, but does'nt at all spoilt it. I think the alien storyline was quite weird, but it should'nt bother you too much. And if the review considers this to be less "punchy, amusing or as fast-paced as the best of the other three films", the other films must pretty incredible, because this film was the best I've seen so far (ok, lets exclude Star Wars :D)

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xx clare xx said...

Posted on Jun 19 2008 10:42 i thought that it was a relly good film.some bits made me jump though.(good thing).i would rate this film 5 star. cant wait to see the next one.very action packed and a little bit creepy at some points but over all very good film.i think that you get a good film for your money so go and see it. xxxxx

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Jojo said...

Posted on Jun 18 2008 13:59 Take your kids, they will love this and not get up too much to go to the loo!!
Very enjoyable and action filled from the onset.
Harrison Ford still holds up pretty well even though hes about 200 now, shame Karen Allen looked really shagged out!!
Not sure was a necessary sequel but hey, good fun.

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megan said...

Posted on Jun 16 2008 17:38 i thought the new indy film was a triumph thrill ride, the music at the beginning got me excited, the new period it is set in is perfect for a new story and the trtansition of indys character in the film, i thought there was much humour and Shia LaBoeuf as mutt indys sidekick was perfect. i have watched all three films and i had a very high standard when watching this film it is a perfect family viewing film, perfect, Harrison Ford and Spielberg has created a perfect masterpiece, although i have to say that the alien resemblance i didn't quite get but overall perfect 10/10!!!!!!

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Mary said...

Posted on Jun 15 2008 17:23 Honestly, I thought it was great fun. Once I got over the fact that Indy had aged (honestly, what had I expected him to do?) the film ticked all the boxes. Perhaps my favourite moment was Indy saying, "if you want to be a good archaeologist, get out of the library..." (you need to see why that's so hysterical) but the whole story line dealt with issues of human mortality (favourite characters have died, and are getting older) and redemption. It's possibly got the most satisfying happy ending ever in action fiction, and I wish I'd been invited to the wedding! Perhaps you need to be an old biddy to get how sweet the theme of redemption is in this film, and all you blokes need to wait a while to see what's really important...
Also, as usual... big moral themes hidden in the subtext.
DO NOT EAT OF THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL!!!
No seriously... don't... or you'll end up like Kate Blanchett...

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tom said...

Posted on Jun 15 2008 08:17 very proffanoil

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CJ said...

Posted on Jun 14 2008 18:51 went to watch it wit me bf and think it was the worse film i'd ever seen! aload of dog bollocks!

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rajesh said...

Posted on Jun 14 2008 13:30 not as great as i hoped for , very average , not up to the std, but good it parts

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bloy said...

Posted on Jun 14 2008 10:29 Bored me a little as too much family fun for my (adult) liking. Strangely, the original movies have had so many other films copying it's action formula that it feels really unoriginal! left cinema feeling mildly satisfied.

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Olivia said...

Posted on Jun 13 2008 18:48 I went to see Indiana Jones with my dad last saturday and I thought it was great! It has some humerous parts and I would definately go to see it again. I have never seen any of the other Indiana Jones films, so I couldn't compare it to the others, but I thought that the Crystal Skull was amazing.It wasn't very scary but I thought it was interesting and entertaining. I reccomend it to any people who love adventure/action films.

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usman said...

Posted on Jun 13 2008 17:23 THIS MOVIE IS A DEATH SENTENCE FOR THE CAREERS OF SPIELBERG AND HARRISON ,i have never seen a movie where there is a loophole and flaw in every scene ,if you want to witness that ,it is a must-see ,
i feel sorry that some people are actually going to make a profit out of cheating us the poor audience -what a shame and spielberg will find it difficult to get anyone to go see his next turkey -this was cheating and they ought to be sued for fraudulent behaviour towards the poor fans .

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Taylor said...

Posted on Jun 13 2008 16:38 I don't know what everyone has been complaining about. I am a HUGE indiana jones fan, i have the boxset and all. I went to the cinema full of excitement at being able to see jones on the big screen and i was well and truly satisfyied with what i got. Sure the CGI was perhaps used a bit too much and some of the plot edged on unreal and unbelievable but i think people are focussing too much on these bad points. The good points FAR out number the bad. Jones is back as his old self we all know and love and people saying he's old? well duh he wont magically stay the same age but he still performs wickedly with the same humour we all want. The addition of Shia LaBoeuf was, in my opinion, a great one. It gave Indy someone to have jokes with and i thought he acted excellently, definatly up to the standard of Indy's sidekicks. I found myself smiling and laughing throughout and I really would advise everyone to just go and see it for yourself. People have too high expectations; sequels can never be quite as good as originals. Basically, this is a fast-paced, edgey, funny and thrilling film of today and i loved it!!!!

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djole said...

Posted on Jun 13 2008 11:31 Ghastly boring ill judged mismash

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Joanne P said...

Posted on Jun 12 2008 13:38 Really bad, all the action scenes were really unbelievable. I just can't believe they approved this film for release they way it is. The worst bits for me have already been mentioned by other disappointed fans - the monkey bit and the fencing bit. They were driving through the jungle for goodness sake and yet their bodies remained completely stable on the back of their vehicles as if they were driving very slowly along a smoothly tarmaced road. I couldn't wait for it to end! Just stayed for good old Indie - he's still lovely with all his gear on! Don't waste your money - this film will only upset you when you remember how brilliant the other films were.

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