Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull - Review Thread

[Mathus]

I thought the movie was great and stayed very true to Indy. How can anyone say that they didn't like the ending and story when the previous movies had the holy grail in them and the arc of the covenant.

I don't think its intelligent to suggest that this story was stupid and that the others were "more realistic", or any other suggestion. Indy movies have always been in the pursuit of strange things that are legends and such. How is this any different?

I thought the movie was great and I will say again i think it is a proper addition to the franchise.

On a side note I experienced something i had never seen in the movie theater before. I went to the midnight showing which obviously has alot more fanboys than would a regular showing. I was an hour early and over heard some of them talking, most were quite weird people. Anyway, there was this one guy that seemed to enjoy the movie way to much laughing incredibly hard at every joke and every scenario. It was hilarious at first but after awhile you start to wait for his incredibly ridiculous laughter, it wasn't that obnoxious like he was doing it on purpose to piss people off either. The guy just seemed to enjoy the movie way to much screaming "WOW" and "OH MAN", and my favorite "HERE COMES NUMBER 2".

[Pseudoblu]

Originally Posted by Sith

Episode 1 for all it's flaws which we won't go into, is still a very worthy
cinematic experience, and the special effects for a 9 year old movie
show how good Lucasfilms is.....

so they are good for something and I appreciate a great looking film.. but if i can't stand the movie or the actors/characters in it, then it really doesn't matter.....

Fact = Ep 1 is crap and 2 and 3 can be flushed with it.. (no anger, just an "opinion" that is actually fact but still just an opinion...)

[Scooby Blu]

On a side note I experienced something i had never seen in the movie theater before. I went to the midnight showing which obviously has alot more fanboys than would a regular showing. I was an hour early and over head some of them talking, most were quite weird people. Anyway, there was this one guy that seemed to enjoy the movie way to much laughing incredibly hard at every joke and every scenario. It was hilarious at first but after awhile you start to wait for his incredibly ridiculous laughter, it wasn't that obnoxious like he was doing it on purpose to piss people off either. The guy just seemed to enjoy the movie way to much screaming "WOW" and "OH MAN", and my favorite "HERE COMES NUMBER 2".[/QUOTE]

That is REALLY a funny story. Not for you of course. It is stories like this that make me even MORE happy I have a nice set up at HOME.

[stockstar1138]

before the alien stuff really started indy said something about the living dead and then the attackers at the grave yard were wearing skull masks, did anybody else think it might end up being almost identical to drakes fortune for a little bit.

[sfmarine]

Well, I finally made it back. I'll give a minor review. Only minor becase I do need to see it one more time. I need to get a better understanding of just how bad Lucas did it this time. What was he thinking. I know it's impossible to please everyone. But it's been 20 years. I feel the plot could have been a little more "realistic" I know....we've got past Indys' with The Ark of the Covenant...People ripping hearts out...and of course 10-second aging.

Fantasy? Yes. It's a hard film to break down. I think I, and many others had such high hopes for this film. The anticipation has been HUGE! Period. I felt sick after some of the scenes. Primarily because of the CGI and "those 2 Shia scenes" Shia was ok...but those scenes were unnecessary to say the least.

It's odd how Ep.1 had the same fate. I'm not sure how Lucas ends up making horrible 4th installments. Horrible is a little brash. I wouldn't call KOTCS horrible. Let's just say dissatisfying. Indy was Indy. He's old, yes. But Ford delivered and I do commend Lucas on adding the appropriate humor with his age. Ex: "What are you like 80?" Karen Allen's character was a little weak but she had her moments. Like I said earlier, I need to see this again. It really deserves about 2.5 stars and a 7 rating. Ford saved the movie. You could tell he had a double for most of the opening stunts. He's Harrison Ford and he did spice up the movie. The Villain, Cate Blanchett gave a strong performance.

Will I buy it when it comes out on Blu-ray? Of course I will! Why? Because it's Indiana Jones. Even though it was a disappointment, Harrison Ford still thrives as the memorable "Dr. Jones."

I'd also like to add that not one person applauded after the credits began to roll....not one. Very surprising for a film of such "high expectations" Also, I recently saw IronMan...I know totally off topic. But the movie had such a great vibe and had you pumped from beginning to end! Indy did have a rush especially with the opening scene and cemetery..but, the pace soon died.

[cj-kent]

Originally Posted by Mathus

I thought the movie was great and stayed very true to Indy. How can anyone say that they didn't like the ending and story when the previous movies had the holy grail in them and the arc of the covenant.

I don't think its intelligent to suggest that this story was stupid and that the others were "more realistic", or any other suggestion. Indy movies have always been in the pursuit of strange things that are legends and such. How is this any different?

I thought the movie was great and I will say again i think it is a proper addition to the franchise.

On a side note I experienced something i had never seen in the movie theater before. I went to the midnight showing which obviously has alot more fanboys than would a regular showing. I was an hour early and over head some of them talking, most were quite weird people. Anyway, there was this one guy that seemed to enjoy the movie way to much laughing incredibly hard at every joke and every scenario. It was hilarious at first but after awhile you start to wait for his incredibly ridiculous laughter, it wasn't that obnoxious like he was doing it on purpose to piss people off either. The guy just seemed to enjoy the movie way to much screaming "WOW" and "OH MAN", and my favorite "HERE COMES NUMBER 2".

To challenge someone's intelligence for expressing his opinions is a little out of line. My criticisms of the movie are very soundly based on components that have made Indy films successful in the past. The standard by which all Indy movies should be judged is "Raiders". In that movie it is established that typically Indy seeks "religious" artifacts of some sort and that the supernatural things you are likely to see are based on some Spiritual/Metaphysical background. None of the others movies ever purported to explain the "para-normal" events with scientific criteria. This movie falls more comfortably in the SCI-FI genre. The three previous movies fit more comfortably in the Action/Adventure - Fantasy genres. Also, Indy tended to take his situation a little more seriously. It seemed as though while the Russians had guns pointed at his head, what he was really thinking was, "Any minute Steven is going to say, 'Cut!'" No one seemed to be taking the movie seriously. Yes, all of them have elements of that in them, but not the entire time. Think about when Indy thought Marion was dead in "Raiders". How about when he was visiting with the despaired villagers in "Temple". You even felt your heart race when Indy's dad got shot in "Crusade". "Would they really let Indy's father die?" Those moments lent legitimacy to the other lighter parts. Also, considering that Indy is based on the James Bond model, it's out of character for Indy to pine away for a particular woman. "Honey, none of them were you." That just isn't something that Indy would say. Finally, you can depend on Indy to pursue something to keep it out of the enemy's hands, because he wants to take over the world. What exactly WAS the peril in this movie? Kate Blanchett's character did exactly what John Hurt's character was about to do. How did Indy save the world? And what did Indy save the world from? Besides making a big pothole in South America I don't really see what impact he made at all. Finally, who was the clear-cut bad guy? Was it Indy's former partner or was it Kate Blanchett? Or was it Stalin? I never had to wonder about that in the other films. This movie desperately needed a good Belloq to establish the yang for Indy's yin.

In closing, it doesn't take an extreme amount of intelligence to see the flaws in this movie. That isn't to imply that you are unintelligent if you liked it. Just acknowledge that there are genuine cinematic weaknesses that any astute film-goer should easily recognize. If you can deal with that and still have good time, then that's great. I couldn't divorce myself from all the bad's enough to enjoy what little good there was.

P.S. It's ARK of the covenant, not ARC.

[cj-kent]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

Will I buy it when it comes out on Blu-ray? Of course I will! Why? Because it's Indiana Jones. Even though it was a disappointment, Harrison Ford still thrives as the memorable "Dr. Jones".

It's funny. For all of my griping about this movie, I'll probably end up buying it also. The compulsive collector in me can't stand to not have all of a set.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by cj-kent

It's funny. For all of my griping about this movie, I'll probably end up buying it also. The compulsive collector in me can't stand to not have all of a set.

I hear ya! You can't let this title be absent from your collection. However poor it may be.

[stockstar1138]

im thinking it will be like spiderman, you can buy KOTCS for $25 or they will have a box set with all 4 for $80. probably out near xmas.

[tigtat77]

Spoiler question?



Is Shia the child of Marion and Indy???????

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by tigtat77

Spoiler question?



Is Shia the child of Marion and Indy???????

[Show spoiler] yes

[jocka06]

Just got back from watching the new indy film - and i'm sorry to say but it is terrible. The worst ending to a film ever!


Anybody else agree???

Gearge Lucas at his best again?????

[tigtat77]

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=50508

[MrKenSebben]

What do you mean by "pants"?

[jocka06]

Originally Posted by MrKenSebben

What do you mean by "pants"?

Terrible (sorry it's british slang)

[Kyzer the Medic]

I saw it this morning and had to really think about what I would write before I posted here. And this is the best way I can sum up Indy 4... for anyone who has gone into the military or off too school, all you can think of is home while you are away, you remember your friends, your old hangouts and all the fun you used too have. Then after 4 years away, you finally return home to find that, everything feels familiar, but its just not quite as fun. That was my instant reaction to the movie, we had familiar characters, heros we loved and looked up too, and all those exciting times we've talked about for years, but sitting thru it, just wasn't fun. After 19 years it was great to see Indy on the screen. I am a huge fan of the first three. But from the get go, after about 20 minutes into it, my wife looked at me and just quietly said " This isn't the Indiana Jones I remember". I don't know if I was expecting too much, but I was very very disappointed with the movie. I think my biggest gripe with the movie would be the whole plot, without spoilers (and by now 98% know what its about, but there are still that 2) just did not work for Indy... I wanted so much to love this movie, but like they say, "you just can't go home again"...

The one highlight for me, being a fan of Scrubs, was seeing "the Janitor" in an actual serious movie role... and after waiting so long, that should NOT be the highlight....

[tommyboy81]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

[Show spoiler] yes

[Show spoiler]There was something on t.v the other day that ruined it. Wouldn't of cared anyways

I will see it Friday

[Blu Blazer]

So its that bad a movie? I plan to see it saturday but i am hoping its somewhat good. What was so bad about it in your opinion?

[MrKenSebben]

Originally Posted by jocka06

Terrible (sorry it's british slang)

I love British slang, you guys are the best.

[Midnightsailor]

I personally loved it...