So you think the refrigerator scene is absurd and unrealistic? Then I guess the rubber boat in Temple of Doom was an example of ultimate realism? Oh, it’s preposterous with the alien plot? I guess the god plot of the earlier films is much more plausible? Wait, plot holes? So… so you mean the other three films have no plot holes at all?
Sorry for the sarcasm, but reading peoples opinions about Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is just plain silly. So I’m avoiding it nowadays and finding the film a lot more entertaining by watching it like you should watch it: like pure escapism. Just like the others in the series. None of the Indy films are high on realism or logic, they’re here to entertain and deliver fantastic plots - and this one, the latest - and hopefully not the last - delivers everything to the fullest!
Enough defending Kingdom of the Crystal Skull from morons, I will concentrate on how much I enjoy this slice of absurdity! The best thing is actually the reunion of Harrison Ford and Karen Allen, which by far is the best relationship ever in any of the films. It sparkles around these two fuckers when they start bitching and I’m so happy they brought back Karen once more. Their son, played by Shia LaBeouf is perfectly cast. The thing is, I really think he’s a good actor. I love his work in Nymphomaniac and The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman, and it’s easy to ignore the fact he starred in a couple of the most boring blockbusters ever (they start with “T” and end with “ransformers”), and he seemed to have realized it also.
Setting the movie in 1957 is a stroke of genius. It’s a directly ancestor of the paranoia sci-fi’s of the fifties, with a dash of jungle adventure. The big difference is that Jones and his friends understands that the fear of communists is absurd, something that just hurts people - which also undermines what could have been yet another nationalistic bullshit production. The baddies are here awesome and the leader Irina Spalko (played by Cate Blanchett, in full tongue-in-cheek mode - but still deadly serious) is fucking brilliant. I love how they tie the story to the first film with placing the first scene in the storeage (which we now understand is Area 51) the first movie ended with, including a cameo by the ark!). Watch out for Andrew Divoff in a small part as a Russian soldier. An odd choice considering he’s much more than an extra in the rest of his career, but I guess it was too good salary to turn down. And he know’s the Russian language, which I guess was a part of it also.
The story is a wonderful mash of Erich Von Däniken ideas, generic UFO-mumbo jumbo and old adventure tales. The crystal skulls are of course legends in the pseudo-archaeological science since many years back, and combining that with elongated heads and lost jungle cities…Mmm, it’s a dream come true for me. I love how it avoids cynicism and trying to be “real” - it’s an adventure film dammit, something you should relax while watching. The action is excellent, while not in the same standard as the earlier films - but still deliver some fine stunts and gimmicky vehicle action.
Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is to say the least over-the-top, but that’s also the charm of it. It just brings the series even closer to what it probably should have looked like if it was made in the golden age of low budget Hollywood, a big budget “b-movie” done the right way. The magic lies in the acting and you can see how much fun they had.
The audience WILL reevaluate this film, just give it a few years more and you’ll see I’m correct - as usual ;)
"So you think the refrigerator scene is absurd and unrealistic? Then I guess the rubber boat in Temple of Doom was an example of ultimate realism? Oh, it’s preposterous with the alien plot? I guess the god plot of the earlier films is much more plausible? Wait, plot holes? So… so you mean the other three films have no plot holes at all?"
No, is the answer to those questions....but I found film to be very bland and boring.....I just expected more.
"None of the Indy films are high on realism or logic, they’re here to entertain and deliver fantastic plots - and this one, the latest - and hopefully not the last - delivers everything to the fullest!"
Well...it´s an adventure...I´m forgiving but the plot was bland and not too exciting....I guess that´s why I didn´t like it.
"Their son, played by Shia LaBeouf is perfectly cast. The thing is, I really think he’s a good actor."
Yeah....LaBeouf has done some great stuff over the years.
"and it’s easy to ignore the fact he starred in a couple of the most boring blockbusters ever (they start with “T” and end with “ransformers”), and he seemed to have realized it also."
ahahhahhahahhahha....NO!
They are very fun to watch!
But he wanted to move on.....who can blame him.
"Setting the movie in 1957 is a stroke of genius. It’s a directly ancestor of the paranoia sci-fi’s of the fifties, with a dash of jungle adventure."
It was agreat set up I think....but then I think they start losing it after awhile.
"The action is excellent, while not in the same standard as the earlier films - but still deliver some fine stunts and gimmicky vehicle action."
There is some stuff I liked a lot.....and we get to see the Ark again!
"The audience WILL reevaluate this film, just give it a few years more and you’ll see I’m correct - as usual"
hahhahah....no, I´ve seen it a few times after it´s theatrical release....I don´t like it, we got different taste here.
Good review Fred.
Posted by: Megatron | June 15, 2014 at 00:06