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- First reviewMay 22, 2008
- Last reviewMay 22, 2008
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ABomb's Reviews
Overall rating
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Disappointed
PostedMay 22, 2008
ABomb
So here's my take on the new 'Indy' film:
I've read a lot of reviews on the new Indiana Jones movie. The first thing I heard was that the movie received thumbs up from critics. The only opinions of the movie that I've read on the internet have been pretty bad and I'm inclined to agree and put all their insights together into my opinion of the movie.
First off, there are no spoilers here. Second, though it's going to be harsh, it may help you enjoy the movie more than I did since you'll go in expecting it not to be any good. This way, your hopes won't be as dashed as if you expected another epic 'Indiana Jones' thrill-ride/adventure.
I feel that the new Indiana Jones is much like the new Star Wars. It has a great deal of flashy digital special effects that take away from the movie itself. One of the things I loved so much about the original Indiana Jones adventures was the gritty and raw time period in which he lived in. The effects were minimal because the sets brought his world to life.
In all 3 of the original films there was an interesting beginning that had to do with an artifact separate from the rest of the movie's main plot. This particular one curiously lacked that introduction. The strange part is that for all the formulaic lines, humor and characters, they still didn't have the guts of a movie that made us want to watch it over and over again. It's as if they just wanted to toss together a film that would appeal to all ages without the clever wit and sense of creative adventure that typically lures an audience to an Indiana Jones film. The stunts were fun to watch, but even they fell short as at least in the original movies, they seemed somewhat believable (except of course for the raft going over the cliff in the beginning of Temple of Doom). Indy 4 has more than its fair share of unbelievable and at times downright dumb stunts that are more likely to make you scoff at their stupidity than drop your jaw in awe.
If it took almost 20 years to make a movie, wouldn't you think they'd have put some time into the script? Wouldn't you expect a story that would intrigue you? The plot of this movie didn't seem to jive at all with the spirit of Indiana Jones. Lucas' influence is plain to see in the opening scenes with the digital additive(pod-race action + Jawa-like humor). Spielberg's sense of exciting directing seems to have waned with age. The writer of the script (his name isn't worth mentioning) destroyed the entire feel of the genre. Let's also point out that no one that I spoke with has ever told me that they were bored at any point during the original trilogy - I was yawning during some of the more lenghthy scenes of this new film and at times couldn't wait for the movie to end. The staggering failure of the new Star Wars to capture the essence of the old movies is carried over to Indiana 4. Poor story, poor acting (yes, even from Ford, LaBeof, Allen and Blanchet), and poor effects make for a very disappointing return for our hero who should have gone out with an exciting grace and humor befitting of one of the greatest action heros of our time.
Yet another tidbit of criticism can be centered on the newly added references to TV's Young Indiana Jones Chronicles from the early 1990's. The series on TV was more of a history lesson than a true Indiana Jones movie experience, but that didn't take away from the skill with which it was put together. Critics and audiences alike took it for what it was-a background of our hero's experiences with a great deal of education and a touch of adventure. The original movies rarely referenced any part of the series and vice versa (granted the TV series didn't come out until after the movies). This one blends the two at inappropriate times. I honestly felt they should have left the series alone and made far less obvious connections between the two. It only cheapened the movie to link it to such an inferior medium.
Why didn't they use Lawrence Kasdan?! I know he wrote The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark. His work has always been a recipe for success in Harrison's movies. Even the musical score seems to be missing at many times during the film. Was John Williams even around?
The upshot is, though it's great to see Indiana Jones back on the big screen, it's incredibly obvious that the skill to create that perfect magical blend of a great cast, good acting, clever wit, well placed humor, a great story, and edge of your seat excitement has been lost. Perhaps like the Indy franchise, they belong in a museum.
I've read a lot of reviews on the new Indiana Jones movie. The first thing I heard was that the movie received thumbs up from critics. The only opinions of the movie that I've read on the internet have been pretty bad and I'm inclined to agree and put all their insights together into my opinion of the movie.
First off, there are no spoilers here. Second, though it's going to be harsh, it may help you enjoy the movie more than I did since you'll go in expecting it not to be any good. This way, your hopes won't be as dashed as if you expected another epic 'Indiana Jones' thrill-ride/adventure.
I feel that the new Indiana Jones is much like the new Star Wars. It has a great deal of flashy digital special effects that take away from the movie itself. One of the things I loved so much about the original Indiana Jones adventures was the gritty and raw time period in which he lived in. The effects were minimal because the sets brought his world to life.
In all 3 of the original films there was an interesting beginning that had to do with an artifact separate from the rest of the movie's main plot. This particular one curiously lacked that introduction. The strange part is that for all the formulaic lines, humor and characters, they still didn't have the guts of a movie that made us want to watch it over and over again. It's as if they just wanted to toss together a film that would appeal to all ages without the clever wit and sense of creative adventure that typically lures an audience to an Indiana Jones film. The stunts were fun to watch, but even they fell short as at least in the original movies, they seemed somewhat believable (except of course for the raft going over the cliff in the beginning of Temple of Doom). Indy 4 has more than its fair share of unbelievable and at times downright dumb stunts that are more likely to make you scoff at their stupidity than drop your jaw in awe.
If it took almost 20 years to make a movie, wouldn't you think they'd have put some time into the script? Wouldn't you expect a story that would intrigue you? The plot of this movie didn't seem to jive at all with the spirit of Indiana Jones. Lucas' influence is plain to see in the opening scenes with the digital additive(pod-race action + Jawa-like humor). Spielberg's sense of exciting directing seems to have waned with age. The writer of the script (his name isn't worth mentioning) destroyed the entire feel of the genre. Let's also point out that no one that I spoke with has ever told me that they were bored at any point during the original trilogy - I was yawning during some of the more lenghthy scenes of this new film and at times couldn't wait for the movie to end. The staggering failure of the new Star Wars to capture the essence of the old movies is carried over to Indiana 4. Poor story, poor acting (yes, even from Ford, LaBeof, Allen and Blanchet), and poor effects make for a very disappointing return for our hero who should have gone out with an exciting grace and humor befitting of one of the greatest action heros of our time.
Yet another tidbit of criticism can be centered on the newly added references to TV's Young Indiana Jones Chronicles from the early 1990's. The series on TV was more of a history lesson than a true Indiana Jones movie experience, but that didn't take away from the skill with which it was put together. Critics and audiences alike took it for what it was-a background of our hero's experiences with a great deal of education and a touch of adventure. The original movies rarely referenced any part of the series and vice versa (granted the TV series didn't come out until after the movies). This one blends the two at inappropriate times. I honestly felt they should have left the series alone and made far less obvious connections between the two. It only cheapened the movie to link it to such an inferior medium.
Why didn't they use Lawrence Kasdan?! I know he wrote The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark. His work has always been a recipe for success in Harrison's movies. Even the musical score seems to be missing at many times during the film. Was John Williams even around?
The upshot is, though it's great to see Indiana Jones back on the big screen, it's incredibly obvious that the skill to create that perfect magical blend of a great cast, good acting, clever wit, well placed humor, a great story, and edge of your seat excitement has been lost. Perhaps like the Indy franchise, they belong in a museum.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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