Media Maven: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Movie Review
“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”
Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Cate Blanchett, Shia LaBeouf, Ray Winstone, John Hurt
Secret passages, hidden messages, underground tunnels and a myriad of swashbuckling catastrophes thrown in the course of “Indiana Jones finding the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” all describe the latest installment of the Indiana Jones movie franchise. (In case you are wondering, yes, the original vision of this film montage was pitched as a five part film series.)
“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” is a fun ride for those who like adventure films. It begins ten years after the last installment left off. Professor Jones is ten years older and ten years wiser but his adventurous spirit has not aged one bit.
It’s pointless to summarize the story plot because you know that with George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg collaborating on this film, it has all the anticipated special effects and then some! Underground caves, haunting skeletons, quick getaways and let’s not forget Jones’s aversion to snakes! Yes, there is even a scene where Ford has to face his cold-blooded nemesis. (I am referring to the snakes, not Cate Blanchett as the film’s femme fatale.)
To the film’s creators credit they brought back one of the original love interests of Professor Jones: Marion Ravenwood. Karen Allen revitalizes this plucky character with fervor. Her gait and speed match Jones’s aging ability to chase the bad guys and rally around the good guys.
Bringing back Allen’s feisty character is one of the truly delightful aspects of this film. As a woman, I tire of the Hollywood blockbusters that again and again match up a dashing over fifty-something movie star male lead with a voluptuous twenty- or thirty-something counterpart. Pleeaasssee! Enough already! Any woman over fifty knows they’re not dead and if a dashing fifty-something male can carry a movie why not cast an exuberant, illustrious, intelligent fifty-something woman?
Don’t you tire of talented, capable actresses over fifty being relegated to sedate, motherly, compliant roles? How emasculating is that for all of womanhood?
Cate Blanchett does an outstanding job as Irino Spalko. She calls the shots in her mission to secure the Crystal Skull and all of its illuminating power. Blanchett has an almost Meryl Streep-type command of accents and dialects and is convincing as a dastardly, foreign mastermind.
Shia LaBouf brings some eye candy for the younger female audience members. He is cute, talented and plays his role in the spirit of his other cast members. LaBouf knows this is an adventure packed, two-fisted popcorn and pop, movie theatre blockbuster event!!
You will too, if you go see “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.”
Chic Stars: Four Chic Stars
Jan’s Movie Rating System:
5 – Top notch entertainment
4 – Compelling, Heartwarming, Thrilling, Comical
3 – The a) story b) actors c) special effects saved/made this movie.
2 – If you are bored watch it, or wait for DVD
1 – Don’t bother. Too morose, too violent, too blasé, an enigma.
PHOTO CREDITS:
Photo: www.indianajones.com
