Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull - Review Thread - Blu-ray Forum

WriteSimply · 05-20-2008, 04:35 PM

Indy is back, with more wrinkles and grayer than ever. That's what you get for doing the fourth sequel 19 years after the last one. It is an Indy film from start to finish which is to say that it is very entertaining. What it is not is Crusade.

The story is another quest adventure with a mix of archeology and paranormal elements thrown in. David Koepp fills in the details and dialog based on the story ideas of Lucas and Jeff Nathanson. There are two story elements that feel out of character for the film and because of that, it does not rate higher than Raiders and certainly not in the same league as Crusade. It is adequate enough for a movie franchise inspired by Republic serials.

The cast is wonderful, including Blanchett as the tough arch nemesis and Winstone as Jones' ol' pal. Broadbent and Hurt did the best that they could do under the circumstances. What is interesting is LaBeouf as Mutt and Allen returning as Marion. The three of them made the family trinity work. Ford is wonderful as usual.

There are some beautiful cinematography done by Kaminski, which has to follow some big footsteps of Douglas Slocombe. This is Kaminski's first Indy but it's his 11th work with Spielberg. The opening sequence is really outstanding. Great editing job by Michael Kahn but since Speilberg shoots for the edit, it could have been a lot more engaging. Ben Burtt's sound design work is another exemplary effort and so is John William's score.

While the action sequences are old school in nature, Spielberg clearly uses digital technology to his advantage. There are many sequences that can't possibly be done using technology 19 years ago, particularly the jungle chase sequence. There is one earlier chase sequence that allowed Ford to get in close to the action via the benefit of wire removal. It builds the sexagenarian as a still-credible action hero.

Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull will definitely entertain. It has a high replay value and undoubtedly will sell well when it comes out later this year on BD.

fuad

BStecke · 05-20-2008, 04:41 PM

I'm seeing this tomorrow night! I can't wait! Very glad to see that most of the reviews are positive and along the same lines as far as what was good and what was bad. I think I've set my expectations at a reasonable level.

nycomet · 05-20-2008, 04:43 PM

The reviews are awful for this movie. It rated 2 stars out of four.

I will see it eventually ... when it releases on BD (even it that's 10 years from now).

BStecke · 05-20-2008, 04:44 PM

What did you read, like two reviews? It got a standing ovation at Cannes and has an 80% at Rotten Tomatoes.

tiger roach · 05-20-2008, 04:44 PM

Sweet, thanks for the review amigo (OP).

I can't wait to see it.

Marine Mike · 05-20-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BStecke

What did you read, like two reviews? It got a standing ovation at Cannes.

+1

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/indiana_jones_4/

Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

The Gnome · 05-20-2008, 04:49 PM

Its a popcorn movie for christ sakes!! its supposed to be fun and outlandish.... um transformers!!!
Im not looking for a documentry on the history channel. Any ways, if i listed to very critic out there (good or bad) i'd be stuck watching the piano and missing out on batman!

The Gnome · 05-20-2008, 04:50 PM

you know, I can't type today.... must be a tuesday thing. sorry to everyone who had to read my last post!

Blu-Runner · 05-20-2008, 05:22 PM

I'll reserve judgment until I see it. The film seems to be getting a solid 7/10 rating. However, I know beforehand that I will not place it ahead of any title in the original trilogy, even Temple of Doom (which I enjoyed due to its darker nature). I've read some spoiler reviews for Indy 4 and I know there are at least two scenes in particular that I will not enjoy -- those being the scenes with the monkeys and the prarie dogs.

Yes, Lucas has lost it; but hopefully this movie won't pull a Phantom Menance.

BStecke · 05-20-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu-Runner

Yes, Lucas has lost it; but hopefully this movie won't pull a Phantom Menance.

Luckily for us I think this was more in the hands of Spielberg than Lucas.

Mxr5150 · 05-20-2008, 05:28 PM

Thankfully, did you hear that Lucas wanted this one to be all about aliens at first? The guy is gone!

Sonny · 05-20-2008, 05:33 PM

I can't wait to see this film!! Screw what anybodys says about it

Blu-Runner · 05-20-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonny

I can't wait to see this film!! Screw what anybodys says about it

True. I like ToD and in hindsight the fans really critized that one. A minor hope of mine is that the fourth continues to have its fair share of voilence and NOT turn out to be National Treasure 3. I mean in RotLA, you have Nazis with melting faces; in ToD a man has his still beating heart ripped out; finally in TLC a man ages 100 years and decays all in about 10 seconds. Plus a lot of other bad guys bite the dust throughout the trilogy via propellers, decapations, rock crushers, tank treads...

No, I'm not blood thirsty. But I only hope Indy 4 isn't afraid to be an Indiana Jones film.

BTW, Lucy Pinder is hawt.

mike79 · 05-20-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonny

I can't wait to see this film!! Screw what anybodys says about it

I hear that

Croweyes1121 · 05-20-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

...it does not rate higher than Raiders and certainly not in the same league as Crusade...

What's your point? That Crusade was better than Raiders? I know there's no accounting for taste, but please tell me you're joking.

WriteSimply · 05-20-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu-Runner

No, I'm not blood thirsty. But I only hope Indy 4 isn't afraid to be an Indiana Jones film.

They've pretty much done most of the ICK factor in the first three movies so there's really not that much they can do on that front. If you want body counts, there are definitely more than four

but nothing gratuitous. It is STILL a PG-13 film so no blood. Interestingly enough, you can use one and only one "F-U-C-K" in a PG-13 movie but they never went there. So it's not that hardcore.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

What's your point? That Crusade was better than Raiders? I know there's no accounting for taste, but please tell me you're joking.

1. Crusade
2. Raiders and Skull
3. Doom

And I'm not joking. Crusade has a lot of things going for it but particularly the character and story arc. It starts off with Indy's backstory and ends with the finding of the real treasure. What made it not so "Hollywood sugar-sweet" is the chemistry between Ford-Connery-Doody-Elliott-Rhys_Davis which leads to a wicked and sometimes adult comedy.

If Crusade is a 10 and Raiders is an 8, Skull is 8.5.

fuad

Moefiz · 05-20-2008, 07:05 PM

I can't wait to see this movie.If you listen what critics say about some movies you will never look at half of the movies in your collection.

BStecke · 05-20-2008, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

If Crusade is a 10 and Raiders is an 8, Skull is 8.5.
fuad

Whoo! That's a mighty bold statement, my friend. Mighty bold. Puttin' those nuts right on the chopping block

animepunk2103 · 05-20-2008, 07:35 PM

I must be wierd because I actually liked Temple of Doom the best. The whole mine cart scene was awesome for its time. I cant wait for Crystal Skull !!! Im sure it will be great!

koreyman · 05-20-2008, 09:23 PM

I have tickets for the7pm thursday show. and to all the haters if you dont want to see a movie about a old guy with a whip then dont go the ideia that pepole think this film is going to be super great beyond belive is retarded it will be a formula INDY film and for me that is all I want

05-20-2008, 04:35 PM	#1
WriteSimply Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Sep 2006 Location:Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull - Review Thread Indy is back, with more wrinkles and grayer than ever. That's what you get for doing the fourth sequel 19 years after the last one. It is an Indy film from start to finish which is to say that it is very entertaining. What it is not is Crusade. The story is another quest adventure with a mix of archeology and paranormal elements thrown in. David Koepp fills in the details and dialog based on the story ideas of Lucas and Jeff Nathanson. There are two story elements that feel out of character for the film and because of that, it does not rate higher than Raiders and certainly not in the same league as Crusade. It is adequate enough for a movie franchise inspired by Republic serials. The cast is wonderful, including Blanchett as the tough arch nemesis and Winstone as Jones' ol' pal. Broadbent and Hurt did the best that they could do under the circumstances. What is interesting is LaBeouf as Mutt and Allen returning as Marion. The three of them made the family trinity work. Ford is wonderful as usual. There are some beautiful cinematography done by Kaminski, which has to follow some big footsteps of Douglas Slocombe. This is Kaminski's first Indy but it's his 11th work with Spielberg. The opening sequence is really outstanding. Great editing job by Michael Kahn but since Speilberg shoots for the edit, it could have been a lot more engaging. Ben Burtt's sound design work is another exemplary effort and so is John William's score. While the action sequences are old school in nature, Spielberg clearly uses digital technology to his advantage. There are many sequences that can't possibly be done using technology 19 years ago, particularly the jungle chase sequence. There is one earlier chase sequence that allowed Ford to get in close to the action via the benefit of wire removal. It builds the sexagenarian as a still-credible action hero. Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull will definitely entertain. It has a high replay value and undoubtedly will sell well when it comes out later this year on BD. fuad Last edited by WriteSimply; 05-20-2008 at 06:57 PM.

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05-20-2008, 04:41 PM	#2
BStecke Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jun 2007 4K collection:182 Blu-ray collection:567 DVD collection:1 Digital collection:1 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 1 Trading Score:6	I'm seeing this tomorrow night! I can't wait! Very glad to see that most of the reviews are positive and along the same lines as far as what was good and what was bad. I think I've set my expectations at a reasonable level.

05-20-2008, 04:43 PM	#3
nycomet Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Long Island, NY, USA ; I enjoy watching 3D blu-rays; 41 Blufans steels so far Home Theater Gallery:11 Blu-ray collection:1344 DVD collection:55 Digital collection:246 Blu-ray reviews:40 Trading Score:343	The reviews are awful for this movie. It rated 2 stars out of four. I will see it eventually ... when it releases on BD (even it that's 10 years from now).

05-20-2008, 04:44 PM	#4
BStecke Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jun 2007 4K collection:182 Blu-ray collection:567 DVD collection:1 Digital collection:1 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 1 Trading Score:6	What did you read, like two reviews? It got a standing ovation at Cannes and has an 80% at Rotten Tomatoes.

05-20-2008, 04:44 PM	#5
tiger roach Special Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Houston, TX Blu-ray collection:141 Blu-ray reviews:1	Sweet, thanks for the review amigo (OP). I can't wait to see it.

05-20-2008, 04:49 PM	#7
The Gnome Active Member Member since:May 2008 Blu-ray collection:30	Its a popcorn movie for christ sakes!! its supposed to be fun and outlandish.... um transformers!!! Im not looking for a documentry on the history channel. Any ways, if i listed to very critic out there (good or bad) i'd be stuck watching the piano and missing out on batman!

05-20-2008, 04:50 PM	#8
The Gnome Active Member Member since:May 2008 Blu-ray collection:30	you know, I can't type today.... must be a tuesday thing. sorry to everyone who had to read my last post!

05-20-2008, 05:22 PM	#9
Blu-Runner Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:85 Blu-ray collection:203 DVD collection:3 Trading Score:16	I'll reserve judgment until I see it. The film seems to be getting a solid 7/10 rating. However, I know beforehand that I will not place it ahead of any title in the original trilogy, even Temple of Doom (which I enjoyed due to its darker nature). I've read some spoiler reviews for Indy 4 and I know there are at least two scenes in particular that I will not enjoy -- those being the scenes with the monkeys and the prarie dogs. Yes, Lucas has lost it; but hopefully this movie won't pull a Phantom Menance.

05-20-2008, 05:28 PM	#11
Mxr5150 Special Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Indiana Blu-ray collection:74 Blu-ray reviews:10	Thankfully, did you hear that Lucas wanted this one to be all about aliens at first? The guy is gone!

05-20-2008, 05:33 PM	#12
Sonny Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2007 Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray reviews:6 Trading Score:1	I can't wait to see this film!! Screw what anybodys says about it

05-20-2008, 07:05 PM	#17
Moefiz Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jul 2007 Blu-ray collection:288 DVD collection:20 Blu-ray reviews: 15 Trading Score:70	I can't wait to see this movie.If you listen what critics say about some movies you will never look at half of the movies in your collection.

05-20-2008, 07:35 PM	#19
animepunk2103 Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Eddyville, KY Home Theater Gallery:7	I must be wierd because I actually liked Temple of Doom the best. The whole mine cart scene was awesome for its time. I cant wait for Crystal Skull !!! Im sure it will be great!

05-20-2008, 09:23 PM	#20
koreyman Active Member Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:12 Blu-ray collection:717 Blu-ray reviews:1	I have tickets for the7pm thursday show. and to all the haters if you dont want to see a movie about a old guy with a whip then dont go the ideia that pepole think this film is going to be super great beyond belive is retarded it will be a formula INDY film and for me that is all I want

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