HOLLYWOOD POV: "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"

 Years ago the quintessential journey of the hero and the power of the myth as explained by Joseph Campbell was studied by the young George Lucas and Steven Spielberg so intently that, as it turned out, his work informed all of their future feature films. No hero is more highly regarded and copied than the ironic and sanguine archaeologist, adventurer, and college professor Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones Jr., made familiar to audiences in the Indiana Jones series of films. As played by Harrison Ford, Indy has become a cultural touchstone for thousands of fans and no movie in recent memory has been more eagerly awaited than INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL.

Meshing the aliens-invade-earth-at-the-beginning-of-time-to-teach-humans-stuff stories made popular by Erich von Daniken with Cold War Russians, a Communist-scared and red-baiting CIA and FBI, and Indiana Jones and his small band of not-so-merry men and one woman, INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL is an enjoyable E-Ticket ride through some of the greatest imaginations in movie history. While watching you can almost imagine the theme park rides being created... water slide anyone? Decomposing underworld city?

After three previous Indiana Jones films (RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981), INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (1984), and INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (1989), and a long hiatus of almost 20 years our treat for being endlessly patient for a continuation of Indy's story has been rewarded with a new and worthy Indy film for the franchise. Thank the gods that the filmmakers didn't screw up one of our most-loved fictional action hero. Thank more gods that Harrison Ford still looks quite convincing as an aging Indy... and thank even more gods that
Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood still looks almost as fantastic, memorable, and feisty as she did in the first Indy film, RAIDERS.

As CRYSTAL SKULL opens it's 1957 and Colonel Doctor Irina Spalko, channeling the Rosa Klebb villain (played by the infamous Lotte Lenya) in the James Bond film FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, (a deliciously evil Cate Blanchett, who can apparently do not wrong when it comes to acting) is hot on the trail of a mysterious crystal skull. She leads a convoy of military vehicles full of her Russian comrades disguised as US military into a highly guarded military test-site facility in the Nevada desert. The minute you notice the sign (called 'Hanger 51') on the inside of the immense hanger you know we are now in Area 51, the famed alien landing spot and research center. Indy is rolled out of a car trunk and the evil-doers force him to lead them to a crate holding something extremely magnetic. When the crate is opened it contains the remains of what appears to be an extraterrestrial creature. As Indy tries to escape he is foiled by his long-time partner George 'Mac" McHale (Ray Winstone who will always be best remembered as an amazingly handsome BEOWULF), who was secretly working with the Soviets. Of course Indy escapes and the chase  for the Crystal Skull is on.

When Indy returns to Marshall College to lecture he is put on a paid leave-of-absence because of the investigation into his activities in Nevada. While there he meets a young Marlon Brando-esque greaser (complete with jeans, rolled sleeve T-shirt and ducktail hairdo that always requires his combs' attention) on a vintage Harley Davidson called Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf) who tells him his mother has been taken hostage and an old friend, Harold Oxley (John Hurt) disappeared after discovering a crystal skull in Peru. With the Commies chasing him and with Mutt's help Indy escapes to Peru to search for Oxley and help Mutt find his Mom.

Both Harrison Ford (64) and Karen Allen (57) look a bit grizzled, but, honestly, who wouldn't after 20 years? They actually look rather fantastic for their ages and both did a majority of their own stunts for the film. Karen Allen looks especially wonderful and her return creates a special moment for everyone, in the fictional story of the film as well as in real life for Indy fans. Let's hope her return bodes well for her future in Hollywood.

A few action set pieces acquit themselves nicely, especially a great car/jeep/jungle killer chase scene complete with rockets exploding, saber fights while in full motion, steep cliffs, and waterfalls galore (another great theme park ride). Editor Michael Kahn, who has cut all of Speilberg's films so far, does some masterful work, there's not one scene that doesn't move you quickly through the story. It's very likely he will get a nomination for his efforts here. There are some nice Speilbergian touches throughout the film, look for the cute little CGI desert ground hogs and jungle monkeys with very human faces. Overall though, the films look is a very nice pre-CGI retro look, one fitting the period time of the film.

All in all, INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL is a great fun summer blockbuster for kids of all ages and hopefully will re-ignite the Indy series to allow Shia LaBeouf to take over the wearing of the Indy fedora. Only time will tell if his shoulders are broad enough to carry Indy into more adventures.

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Digital Dogs rating: A

MPAA rating: PG-13 for adventure violence and scary images.

Running Times: 123 Minutes

Producers Kathleen Kennedy, George Lucas, Frank Marshall, Denis L. Stewart, Director Steven Speilberg, Screenplay David Koepp, story by George Lucas, Jeff Nathanson, characters by George Lucas, Philip Kaufman, DP Janusz Kaminski, Editor Michael Kahn, Music John Williams, Actors Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Shia LaBeouf, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent

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© 2008 by Digital Dogs

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--- Digital Dogs is gather's Los Angeles Movie Correspondent ---

Digital Dogs' column, HOLLYWOOD POV, published every Thursday to Gather Essentials: Movies is an insider's look at the art, people, and product of Hollywood.

Digital Dogs is an opinionated writer, editor, and digital designer who lives and works in the entertainment capital of the world. DigiDogs writes critiques, opinion pieces, and news stories that focus on the business, people, and places of Hollywood. DigiDogs' unique film reviews are usually written well before a film's release date, and definitely worth the advance look at the films that influence the world.

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