Crystal Skulls and Indy

There seems to be a problem with Mr. Lucas and story lines for the 4th films in a set. Take a look at Star Wars, Episode 4 was great, so were episodes 5 and 6, but when we got to Episode 1 there was some form of let down. Now take a look at Indianna Jones IV, then cry.

I walked into the cinema waiting to see some good, old fashioned, Indianna Jones action, and it was delivered, in a slightly newer way, but it was there. Then he rolls out of the fridge. As much as I wanted to go “wow, that’s really clever” I was closer to “OK, that’s just silly”. But I was willing to let one piece of silliness slide, because this was Indianna Jones and I wanted to like this film. So on we went, with the quest. I should mention that the little glimpse of the Ark was very good, and all the other little referances did give me some hope that there was something good in this film.

The quest was there, and as always the bad guys have something that Indy doesn’t think they should have. It is an object of great power and he’s doing it to stop those pesky Nazis commies getting away. The item this time round is the Skull of the film’s title and I was hoping so much that it was the head of a statue with mythical powers, that would have almost been in keeping with true Indy style. But it isn’t, so don’t hold your breath.

Now, somewhere between the Quicksand and the monkey swinging there is a pretty good chase. the moment where you can sit back and pretend that you are really watching Indy. But then Shia goes all Tarzan and your come back down to realise that maybe this film should not have been given the name of our hero and that no matter how many quips are there, and however many times that whip is cracked this film isn’t going to a good place.

Then the quest comes to its close. It had my friends and myself staring at the screen wishing that what we were seeing wasn’t true. It is hard to describe quite what it is I felt without giving away the ending, but let me just say that of only George hadn’t taken an Action/Adventure franchise and added in some sci-fi the ending may have been bearable.

I am desperately thinking of a way to describe how I felt with this film. I think I liked it, but then I’m not entirely sure. I think it is that Episode One feeling all over again. The “This film has to be good because the old ones were, but there’s something wrong.” It has that horrible after taste that you just can’t get rid of.

So many people have given this film good reviews, I’ve seen 8s, 9s, and 10s thrown around, but take it from me, had this film been anything but Indianna Jones there would have been rolling heads.

And one final thing before I go, it is the birthday of some little cuddly creatures on a forest moon far away. The anniversary of a giant battle won by the good guys. And we mark the death of a good man who went off the path of light. 25 years ago today Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi was first shown to the public. So happy birthday Wicket, Logray, Chirpa and the rest.

MTFBWY