Indiana Jones and the Kingdumb of the Crystal Skull

[thewayne]

A review with spoilers. A hint: I didn't like it. LOTS of spoilers under cut.

It was OK as action movies go. I'm kind of funny when it comes to physics and willing suspension of disbelief, and this movie blew it for me from the get-go. Indi hiding in a refrigerator to avoid the effects of an atomic blast? OK, I can buy that at least a little. But I can't buy it being lofted hundreds of yards through the air, bouncing through the desert, and Indi not being the slightest bit discomfited.

But that's not what blew the movie for me. IT WAS THE FUCKING ALIENS. This is supposed to be pulp adventure, not science fiction. It really pissed me off when the big reveal was stupid aliens. I can buy ancient mind control powers within the context of pulp action/adventure. But space aliens, much less Roswell, do not belong in an Indiana Jones movie. We already have magic powers as seen in the first three movies, so why not stick with what is established? Why turn it into science fiction? It served no purpose.

I could rant about a number of things, but those were my hot buttons. I really could care less if they continue the franchise, Lucas & Spielberg have lost what little respect that I had remaining for them: Lucas blew it when he decided he could write intricate romance and changed The Force to bugs in the blood, Spielberg blew it with changing ET to be more PC and then drek like AI and his incessant wish for happy endings.

If it weren't for Spielberg's involvement in Pinky and the Brain, I just wouldn't see much use for him. As far as Lucas is concerned, I'm really tempted to get some DVD editing software, rip the first three movies, and rip out midiclorians and any scenes with Annakin and Padma.

Comments

[greyweirdo.livejournal.com]

I had a big problem with the flight of the refrigerator too. Also, Indy didn't bleed. Normally he gets beat up and bleeds, here he only had a tiny bit of blood during the one fight.

I sort of thought the aliens would work, right up until the end when they showed up all CGI and stuff. Once there really was an alien on screen and there really was a flying saucer I sort of went "Oh god no!"

[deborak]

I'm curious whether you liked "Last Crusade" or not. I thought the writing was horrible on that one. "Temple of Doom" was obnoxious because of the kid sidekick and the dumb blonde, but I thought the script was better.

[cteare.livejournal.com]

I have to agree it definitely wasn't the best of the lot. I really don't think they've managed to recapture the fun of the first movie. Temple of Doom and Last Crusade were decent. I also thought the whole alien thing was a bit much. The character of Mutt also dragged it down. The actor was overshadowed continually by the older actors around him.

[fastlearner.livejournal.com]

I liked it. Didn't love it, but liked it.

For me, the refrigerator scene was a bit much, but more importantly (as mentioned by another commenter), Indy didn't get hurt enough. It never seemed like he might lose. That's what really hurt it for me.

Still, I liked it, and am very satisfied.