Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Okay, saw the new Indiana Jones film today.
And it was...okay. Maybe not fabulous, but a worthy offering.
I admit I went in with somewhat lowered expectations, thanks to several of my friends (including the honorable Whited Sepulchre), who were not so impressed.
The first third of the film was fabulous. Not to give anything away, but we are smack-dab in the middle of Cold War 1957 paranoia (sort of American Graffiti meets Raiders of the Lost Ark). Great cheesy fun with lots of cultural references.
Added bonus for Scrubs fans: Neil Flynn, who plays the Janitor, has a small part as a suspicious FBI agent (he also played a guard on Harrison Ford's The Fugitive).
The middle third began to sag, despite all the action sequences (for me, anyway). Commies have replaced Nazis as the interchangeable Bad Guys. Yawn.
The last third of the film revs things up again, and gives us an appropriately effects-laden ending, updating things to fit the 50's zeitgeist. Over the top, but hey, this is Indiana Jones we're talking about here. The final scene is pure fan service...but that's okay, too.
The spouse was not as convinced, and said she didn't feel the need to watch this a second time. Fair enough, but there are plenty of blockbusters out there I'd say that about.
Comparing all 4 movies, it was definitely better that Temple of Doom (which still has its moments), but not as good as Last Crusade.
Your mileage may vary.
And it was...okay. Maybe not fabulous, but a worthy offering.
I admit I went in with somewhat lowered expectations, thanks to several of my friends (including the honorable Whited Sepulchre), who were not so impressed.
The first third of the film was fabulous. Not to give anything away, but we are smack-dab in the middle of Cold War 1957 paranoia (sort of American Graffiti meets Raiders of the Lost Ark). Great cheesy fun with lots of cultural references.
Added bonus for Scrubs fans: Neil Flynn, who plays the Janitor, has a small part as a suspicious FBI agent (he also played a guard on Harrison Ford's The Fugitive).
The middle third began to sag, despite all the action sequences (for me, anyway). Commies have replaced Nazis as the interchangeable Bad Guys. Yawn.
The last third of the film revs things up again, and gives us an appropriately effects-laden ending, updating things to fit the 50's zeitgeist. Over the top, but hey, this is Indiana Jones we're talking about here. The final scene is pure fan service...but that's okay, too.
The spouse was not as convinced, and said she didn't feel the need to watch this a second time. Fair enough, but there are plenty of blockbusters out there I'd say that about.
Comparing all 4 movies, it was definitely better that Temple of Doom (which still has its moments), but not as good as Last Crusade.
Your mileage may vary.
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