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Film & TV Moderators: ghostfreak
film: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (May 2008)
- Thread starter Banquo
- Start date
ladyinthesky
Bluelight Crew
i saw it yesterday with swerz
i have mixed feelings about this, although the action was great and the acting was good, but the story kinda wasnt that great
i have mixed feelings about this, although the action was great and the acting was good, but the story kinda wasnt that great
Benefit
Bluelighter
More than anything, watching this just made me want to pop in Raiders of the Lost Ark because it was so much better. Perhaps that's the whole point of this 400 million dollar behemoth: to boost nostalgia sales of the original 3 movies.
It was entertaining, but definitely feels like everyone involved is just doing it for the money.
It was entertaining, but definitely feels like everyone involved is just doing it for the money.
Edvard Munch
Bluelighter
My girlfriend and I are relatively easy-going movie viewers who are willing to lighten up the sense of belief and enjoy a film. Saying that, we watched this movie today, and we had this look on our faces that we kept giving each-other like, "What the fuck?" I think it was at the point where (SPOILER) the entire crew of five are floating down a river in a CAR, dropped three times down these really big water falls and pop up neatly and unscathed on a shore, that I felt this is just not a movie I was made to enjoy. Bad jokes, simplistic characters (evil commie's), predictability and cornyness ruined this movie for me.
Edvard Munch
Bluelighter
L2R said:
Yeah, the twelve year olds in front of me loved this movie.
d-phex
Bluelighter
I noticed that too. I'm not sure if Indian Jones was supposed to deliver forced lines to complete the overall shitty feel of the film, but whatever the case, his part in the movie was so terrible that it bordered on comedic, except that it never quite made it.
The Russian chick was awesome, though.
The Russian chick was awesome, though.
continuousbeing2
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2005
- Messages
- 1,094
Also, to add, the bit with the monkeys was, well, pretty terrible.
Daisybabe
Bluelight Crew
Everybody is making such a big deal about the river/waterfall scenes. It's not exactly a car, what they are in is a "duck," it's an amphibious vehicle designed to go straight from land into the water.
The nitpicks I mentioned earlier are that the whole scene with Mutt swinging like Tarzan was just ridiculous. I understand they are trying to show he is as resourceful as his father, but there has to be a better way.
I also didn't like that the skull was like a magic wand - need a door open, wave the skull. Want to stop some baddies, wave the skull, etc. Dumb.
I enjoyed how it moved into the 50s scif-fi era, and didn't mind the alien theme, but the ending was way too far over the top.
What I enjoyed most were all of the references to the other films. Having it start off in the warehouse and seeing the Ark was perfect. And also, if you remember in Last Crusade, Indy drank the Holy Grail immortality juice, so that explains why he is still just as rock em sock em as he was in the first three movies.
The nitpicks I mentioned earlier are that the whole scene with Mutt swinging like Tarzan was just ridiculous. I understand they are trying to show he is as resourceful as his father, but there has to be a better way.
I also didn't like that the skull was like a magic wand - need a door open, wave the skull. Want to stop some baddies, wave the skull, etc. Dumb.
I enjoyed how it moved into the 50s scif-fi era, and didn't mind the alien theme, but the ending was way too far over the top.
What I enjoyed most were all of the references to the other films. Having it start off in the warehouse and seeing the Ark was perfect. And also, if you remember in Last Crusade, Indy drank the Holy Grail immortality juice, so that explains why he is still just as rock em sock em as he was in the first three movies.
EA-1475
Bluelighter
Cate Blanchett's character seemed to be a tribute to various classic Hollywood femme fatales. For one, her character looked waaaaaaaaay too much like Louise Brooks for them not to have done it on purpose. And I got the feeling that the part at the end where she softly says "I vant to know" repeatedly in a thick European accent was a nod to Greta Garbo famously saying "I vant to be alone" repeatedly in a thick European accent in Grand Hotel.
But maybe I'm reading to much into that. But this is the same woman that did a spot on Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator.
The plot does not hold up to much scrutiny. I'll just leave it at that.
I think it shows how secular and politically correct society has become since the last Indy film that they took out all the supernatural and Christian elements and replaced them with sci-fi ones. I think it kind of ruins things a bit.
Sure, you still got the big ending other-worldly ending with baddies getting their just deserts. But when the Nazi's opened the Ark in Raiders, the spirits poured out and killed them for their wickedness. It wasn't just justice but poetic justice. Like "Hey, that's what you get for being a Nazi". Ditto Last Crusade. Selfish guy picks the posh looking grail and turns to dust as a consequence.
Here the baddies get killed by morally-indifferent aliens just for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Shia Lebouef doesn't quite come off as a tough guy. I wouldn't give Shia LeBouef my wallet even if he did pull a switchblade. And he doesn't seem that authentically 50's. IMO, if you're going to make a guy a stereotype (in this case, a stereotypical 50's biker), you should maximize the comic possibilities of that stereotype or at least make it someowhat authentic. However, he did call Indy daddy-o.
But you know what I really disliked about his character? I hate hate haaaaaaaate when a character is obviously written into a movie for no other reason than to appeal to a certain demographic. I could just see the suits around a table saying "OK, Indy movies were made primarily for kids and teenagers. But the kids and teenagers today are too young to remember the original trilogy so we need a hip young face that they already know to get them out."
I mean was his character REALLY necessary? Did any plot points really hinge on him? At least they didn't give an unnecessary love interest.
Not dissing Shia personally. My complaints are down to the script writers.
Dispite my criticism, I would rate the movie "fair".
But maybe I'm reading to much into that. But this is the same woman that did a spot on Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator.
The plot does not hold up to much scrutiny. I'll just leave it at that.
I think it shows how secular and politically correct society has become since the last Indy film that they took out all the supernatural and Christian elements and replaced them with sci-fi ones. I think it kind of ruins things a bit.
Sure, you still got the big ending other-worldly ending with baddies getting their just deserts. But when the Nazi's opened the Ark in Raiders, the spirits poured out and killed them for their wickedness. It wasn't just justice but poetic justice. Like "Hey, that's what you get for being a Nazi". Ditto Last Crusade. Selfish guy picks the posh looking grail and turns to dust as a consequence.
Here the baddies get killed by morally-indifferent aliens just for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Shia Lebouef doesn't quite come off as a tough guy. I wouldn't give Shia LeBouef my wallet even if he did pull a switchblade. And he doesn't seem that authentically 50's. IMO, if you're going to make a guy a stereotype (in this case, a stereotypical 50's biker), you should maximize the comic possibilities of that stereotype or at least make it someowhat authentic. However, he did call Indy daddy-o.
But you know what I really disliked about his character? I hate hate haaaaaaaate when a character is obviously written into a movie for no other reason than to appeal to a certain demographic. I could just see the suits around a table saying "OK, Indy movies were made primarily for kids and teenagers. But the kids and teenagers today are too young to remember the original trilogy so we need a hip young face that they already know to get them out."
I mean was his character REALLY necessary? Did any plot points really hinge on him? At least they didn't give an unnecessary love interest.
Not dissing Shia personally. My complaints are down to the script writers.
Dispite my criticism, I would rate the movie "fair".
alphabetcity
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2008
- Messages
- 62
i saw it when i came out. i haven't seen much of the previous three so i don't have much to compare it to, but i did like this movie up until the end.
DarthMom
Bluelighter
nonsense!! they are simply different sci fi nods. some spiritual, some sci fi, nothing politically correct about this. it is simply another interesting conspiracy theory in regards with questionable historicity and the ending still did the typical poetic justice, bad lady dies for her greed and all around evil selfishness.EA-1475 said:
whatcha got against aliens dood, they are your ancestors, give em some respect :D
Daisybabe
Bluelight Crew
Yes, they have to pass the torch to the next generation. I haven't decided yet if should be Shia though. I read somewhere that originally Lucas/Spielberg were going to change Indy's on every third film, like the Bonds change. That was why they had introduced River Phoenix, he was to carry it on, but of course that didn't work out. So apparently, if Shia gets it, he will do at least 2 more, then it will go to the next Indiana.
sacrilege!!
doesntmatter
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2005
- Messages
- 1,605
well i guess it could have been worse.
but really. aliens and a spaceship? no thanks.
the other three movies had such intimate story lines. they drew you in as they were revealing themselves to you. all the build up and development payed off in a classic climactic ending.
this was just a nonstop "action" film.
each of the original three could have stood on their own feet if released outside the trilogy. you can't say the same for this one.
not as big of a disappointment as star wars, but still a disappointment.
but really. aliens and a spaceship? no thanks.
the other three movies had such intimate story lines. they drew you in as they were revealing themselves to you. all the build up and development payed off in a classic climactic ending.
this was just a nonstop "action" film.
each of the original three could have stood on their own feet if released outside the trilogy. you can't say the same for this one.
not as big of a disappointment as star wars, but still a disappointment.
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psychetool
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2003
- Messages
- 6,186
I gotta say, this movie was fucking terrible for so many reasons. The cartoonish action scenes. The surviving a nuclear fucking bomb in a REFRIGERATOR ? The completely laughable villains. Indy riding bitch. Shia Lebouf in general. Need I go on ? They had a WINNING FORMULA with Indiana and they just threw it in the trash for Die Hard 4 bullshit action sequences and CGI. Really, really, really disappointing.
I'm not trying to detract if you guys liked it, but to me and the group of die hard indy fans who went to see it (one guy fully dressed as indy w/ bullwhip) it was terrible.
I'm not trying to detract if you guys liked it, but to me and the group of die hard indy fans who went to see it (one guy fully dressed as indy w/ bullwhip) it was terrible.
Belisarius
Bluelighter
Three stars, though it was a pretty difficult choice (if there were say, a three and a quarter option...).
I dunno...I did like it. It's funny, action-packed, and full of inside jokes relevant to Jones fans. Outwardly, it's a rip-roaring adventure pic that had me on the edge of my seat more than once. Yet, the movie definitely feels tired; without giving anything away it reminded me too much of X-Files: Fight the Future and The Mummy. Having a hot woman play the main villain screams "gimmick", and though she's nasty, Blanchett's Irina is impossible to feel too strongly about, vis-a-vis Nazis or child-enslaving Thugs. The movie doesn't know whether to focus on LaBeouf on Ford, and John Hurt is forgettable. Ford himself seems self-conscious in a way that never came through in the earlier films.
BUT...I enjoyed the movie.
My capsule review is simply this: though this movie is worth watching, I cannot imagine it ever being as highly regarded as the first three, not even with bonus points for nostalgia. I'm not hoping for a sequel.
Edit: What is it with swordfights? There was a time they meant something, but over the last few years they've become ridiculously cliché. For instance, the swordfight in The Count of Monte Cristo is great because it's short, timely, and a focal point for all the characters' energies. The swordfight in this movie (and indeed, in most of the action flicks released over the past decade) is just a showcase for fancy F/X.
I dunno...I did like it. It's funny, action-packed, and full of inside jokes relevant to Jones fans. Outwardly, it's a rip-roaring adventure pic that had me on the edge of my seat more than once. Yet, the movie definitely feels tired; without giving anything away it reminded me too much of X-Files: Fight the Future and The Mummy. Having a hot woman play the main villain screams "gimmick", and though she's nasty, Blanchett's Irina is impossible to feel too strongly about, vis-a-vis Nazis or child-enslaving Thugs. The movie doesn't know whether to focus on LaBeouf on Ford, and John Hurt is forgettable. Ford himself seems self-conscious in a way that never came through in the earlier films.
BUT...I enjoyed the movie.
My capsule review is simply this: though this movie is worth watching, I cannot imagine it ever being as highly regarded as the first three, not even with bonus points for nostalgia. I'm not hoping for a sequel.
Edit: What is it with swordfights? There was a time they meant something, but over the last few years they've become ridiculously cliché. For instance, the swordfight in The Count of Monte Cristo is great because it's short, timely, and a focal point for all the characters' energies. The swordfight in this movie (and indeed, in most of the action flicks released over the past decade) is just a showcase for fancy F/X.
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MynameisnotDeja
Bluelight Crew
Three stars. Ridiculously cartoony action stuff.
But it wasn't boring and moved along really well with almost no slow parts.
Harrison Ford didn't seem very old like I expected, I mean he looked older but still was pretty cool.
Shia Labeouf was gorgeous. I really do like him a lot as an actor but I prefer him in more challenging roles than all this big budget action stuff he does. I like his indie movies a lot better (guide to recognizing your saints, the battle of shaker heights, etc). I wish he would do more indie flicks and less big budget action stuff. The scenes where he got all sad looking and was crying made me all smooshy and I just wanted to kiss him all over and take his clothes off and ... arg ok I'll stop there.
Cate Blanchette's character was pretty cool. The whole time I was watching I was like , "Well that would be me! I would be her! I get her!" lol especially at the end, which leads me to the subject matter.
It left me with a semi uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. Aliens, mayan ruins, etc. Anyone who knows me knows that alien/interdimensional being creationism theories basically sum up my "religious" beliefs, if you could call it that. I feel real ties to these theories, and have spent a great deal of time reading/researching about all of it. So watching a storyline so based on reality (obviously not actual reality) freaked me out a bit. It's hard to explain what I mean about that. But for example I wanted to cry at the end, like really cry hard just thinking about what it would be like for an ancient to look at me and infuse me with such insane amounts of knowledge. Kind of beautiful really. I don't get why no one seems to have liked the end. I thought it was the best part.
But it wasn't boring and moved along really well with almost no slow parts.
Harrison Ford didn't seem very old like I expected, I mean he looked older but still was pretty cool.
Shia Labeouf was gorgeous. I really do like him a lot as an actor but I prefer him in more challenging roles than all this big budget action stuff he does. I like his indie movies a lot better (guide to recognizing your saints, the battle of shaker heights, etc). I wish he would do more indie flicks and less big budget action stuff. The scenes where he got all sad looking and was crying made me all smooshy and I just wanted to kiss him all over and take his clothes off and ... arg ok I'll stop there.
Cate Blanchette's character was pretty cool. The whole time I was watching I was like , "Well that would be me! I would be her! I get her!" lol especially at the end, which leads me to the subject matter.
It left me with a semi uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. Aliens, mayan ruins, etc. Anyone who knows me knows that alien/interdimensional being creationism theories basically sum up my "religious" beliefs, if you could call it that. I feel real ties to these theories, and have spent a great deal of time reading/researching about all of it. So watching a storyline so based on reality (obviously not actual reality) freaked me out a bit. It's hard to explain what I mean about that. But for example I wanted to cry at the end, like really cry hard just thinking about what it would be like for an ancient to look at me and infuse me with such insane amounts of knowledge. Kind of beautiful really. I don't get why no one seems to have liked the end. I thought it was the best part.
Tryptamite
Bluelighter
I thought it was a terrible end to what was (and still is) an amazing series. I mean what the fuck was Speilberg thinking? Aliens - I wasn't impressed but I dealt with it. But climbing inside a fridge to survive ground zero of a nuclear blast? Indie's son swining from the vines like Tarzan in a badly animated cgi clip?
And what the fuck was that double agent character about???? He just took from the film.
And what the fuck was that double agent character about???? He just took from the film.
MynameisnotDeja
Bluelight Crew
I agree.
That's the point I was trying to make about it hitting too close to home for me. I feel like if Speilberg wants to touch on the whole crystal skulls/alien ancestor type thing he should make a serious, epic movie that is JUST that. It seemed a bit much for the kinda sorta funny, cartoony action of this movie.
That's the point I was trying to make about it hitting too close to home for me. I feel like if Speilberg wants to touch on the whole crystal skulls/alien ancestor type thing he should make a serious, epic movie that is JUST that. It seemed a bit much for the kinda sorta funny, cartoony action of this movie.