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Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Hmm . . . where to begin. Indiana Jones fans waited almost two decades and heard so many rumors, that many came to doubt they would ever see another film in the series. I finally started to believe in Indy IV when, by chance, I found myself on the film’s set while visiting Yale University last July. Well, the wait is over. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is in theaters now, and I’d suggest that you see it—twice.

It’s a bit difficult to discuss the movie because one does not want to give away the plot. Suffice it to say, the film is set in 1957 in the midst of the Cold War. First off, this Indiana Jones movie has a different feel to it than the three earlier ones, and this may be bothersome at first for fans of the series. Of course, it’s great to see Harrison Ford back with his fedora and whip, even if Indy has lost a step in the last two decades. Karen Allen is charming in a reprise of her character, Marion Ravenwood, from Raiders of the Lost Ark. John Hurt is fine in a role I imagine would have gone to Sean Connery had he been willing to come out of retirement. Cate Blanchett, as Colonel Dr. Irina Spalko, makes a sufficiently evil Soviet villainess. Ray Winstone adds a serviceable performance as George “Mac” McHale. On the other hand, Shia LaBeouf, playing a James Dean-like adolescent rebel, is not in the same class as the rest of the cast. For fans of the series, there’s lots of nostalgia, including a brief glimpse of the Ark of the Covenant. Composer John Williams’s score makes good use of Marion ’s theme and other music from earlier Indy movies. Occasional creepy moments recall the Temple of Doom. Some stunts, including a wild motorcycle chase through the Yale campus, are terrific, while others seem gratuitous. The plot is, well, over the top.

Why, you ask, do I suggest you see the movie twice? From my own experience, the first time I saw it I had high hopes—-perhaps too high—-and came out of the theater mildly disappointed. I went to see Indy IV again a week later, with perhaps more realistic expectations, and enjoyed it much more, as did my daughter, who was also seeing the movie for the second time.

Written by: William Keogan

Reviewers Rating: 7.5
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