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- First reviewMay 25, 2008
- Last reviewMay 25, 2008
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LordSkelator's Reviews
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It's a Classic. Review by a Real IJ Fan
PostedMay 25, 2008
LordSkelator
from Seattle
Not since my wife and I saw "The Matrix" at a pre screening on a wednsday night, over 8 years ago, have I been so thoroughly enthralled at a great, dare I say CLASSIC movie.
I am one of the biggest Jones fans on earth. last year, I went so far as to order an actual authentic Herbert Johnson Fedora, made to the exact "Raiders" specs. I realize, I'm only digging myself into severe "Geekdom" with that mention, but for the hardcore fan credibility, I thought I should mention it. Simply because, that's how into the details in these films I've been for many, many years.
Raiders was, and still is the greatest action/adventure film of all time, next to Die Hard 1 (which I would put more into the action category) and Aliens (which I would place into the thriller/adventure category).
I think its important to realize that NO Jones film, since Raiders has ever received stellar critical acclaim from its initial inception. These films have a tendency to GROW on the viewer. "Temple" was panned by many critics as an overtly violent, and over the top Jones film, but has since, become a fan cult favorite among many IJ fans, while Last Crusade was initially hailed as good, but lacking the needed gusto to make it great. Time has proven both of those initial reactions completely wrong. I know several fans who enjoy Crusade MORE than any of the previous films.
Crystal Skull ranks up with the other 2 films and OFTEN, I say this in bold, OFTEN, surpasses both prior sequels.
Spielberg just keeps getting better, and better at what he does. The direction is nothing short of genius in this film, and time will honor the 4th installment with classic status, even though, at present, it's getting a lot of bad press.
I've heard a lot of reviews state that IJ4 is just a set up for multiple, over the top action sets pieces, coupled with long winded seqments of dialogue
...ummmm...that's pretty much every Indy film to date, including Raiders to a T.
I've also heard people argue that there is too much absurdity in this film (too many unbelievable and over the top moments)
...again...I have to ask, what Indy films were they watching? The ENTIRE series is laced with moments and outright eye-rolling CLASSIC segways, pulling the viewer from one frightening, claustrophobic fist fight, to blatant absurd escape by our hero, or his friends to another.
This film does the same, but with a new fluidity, that the brilliant director has only gained since his Saving Private Ryan introduction and subsequent obvious next level of craft.
Crystal Skull also does us the distinct honor of being filmed in the style of the older films, with Spielberg's newer matting approach. Washed whites, silver and blues blanket this film and the characters much the way they did in the director's "War of The Worlds" remake, and the result is simply beautiful and often breath taking. The film had such a classic look to it and I felt it fit perfectly with the prior films.
I also felt the special effects were a HUGE breath of fresh air. Very few appeared to rely on CGI exclusively and I was thoroughly convinced of many of the effects, more so that the glorified "Spider Man" esque video games we see on the big screen now.
Spielberg was even so bold, at the end of the film, as to allow a very extended special effects shot, which obviously mixed ILM techniques of layering with some CGI and even bluescreen. The results were a nearly convincing effect of a magnitude I've never seen attempted. They got pretty darn close though, and for that, my sincerest appreciations go to Spielberg and his crew.
If you're a true Indy fan, remember the previous films by heart, and love the style of direction, and pulp nostalgia, I cannot see how you could dislike "Crystal Skull," let alone, not love it and see it as an obvious classic.
YES, there are a few un necessary additions to the film. I felt we could have done without the Marion Ravenwood re introduction (Karen Allen was great in Raiders, and her role in Crystal Skull, I felt, was often contrived to say the best). AND, the film could have benefited from a few changes to Indy's dialogue, especially in the beginning. Something was missing that first 15 or 20 minutes, but I bought it, because the prior 2 sequels pull the same proverbial introduction rabbit from the hat, leaving the viewer a bit disconcerted and wondering if they've stumbled into the wrong theatre all together.
Just a note for comparison to anyone considering seeing this film, but I was a bit disappointed by the last Die Hard film. I felt it lacked the bravado, and over the top 80's edge of its predecessors. I also didn't feel like I was watching Jon Mclain anymore..but more a "changed for the new millenium" burnout, trying the draw the vague line between good guy and bad guy. In my opinion, what made the original Die Hard films so great, was Mclain's 1950's Gary Cooper persona, slammed into the 1980's glitz. Why they couldn't carry that through in the 4th film successfully, I'm still at a bit of a loss to describe.
Indy 4 revives Jones and many, many moments reminded me of Raiders and Temple. Spielberg manages to film Ford in a way that convinces the viewer he is still tough, seemingly youthful in action and strong.
In the quieter moments, and especially the intro, we REALLY see Ford's age. But after he gets the jacket on, we get to experience Indy the way we all remember.
I sincerely hope this is NOT the end of the Spielberg/Lucas/Harrison Ford Indy Films. It would be awesome to see this incredible team do this 2 more times in the next few years and create a virtual sextet of Indy films, BUT, I know that's a pipe dream, considering it took 20 years just to get Skull off the ground!
I would not want to see Indy done in any other incarnation than this team of 3 great craftsmen, nor do I think ANYONE can play IJ in the same classic way Ford does. I didn't believe it when I saw "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles" Lucas produced, and I'm sorry, as good an actor Shia is, he's no IJ.
There's something magical that happens when Lucas and Spielberg work together and watching IJ4, I felt like a kid again, seeing Raiders, or Temple for the first time. It was a warm, happy return to the best memories of the early to mid eighties movie magic. I could see several sequences in the film even becoming classic DisneyLand rides in the eighties...in a good way...not the sell out way so many films try to tie in product endorsement these days. Overall, 5 stars. Classic film. I will see this 2-3 more times AT LEAST before it leaves theatres.
I am one of the biggest Jones fans on earth. last year, I went so far as to order an actual authentic Herbert Johnson Fedora, made to the exact "Raiders" specs. I realize, I'm only digging myself into severe "Geekdom" with that mention, but for the hardcore fan credibility, I thought I should mention it. Simply because, that's how into the details in these films I've been for many, many years.
Raiders was, and still is the greatest action/adventure film of all time, next to Die Hard 1 (which I would put more into the action category) and Aliens (which I would place into the thriller/adventure category).
I think its important to realize that NO Jones film, since Raiders has ever received stellar critical acclaim from its initial inception. These films have a tendency to GROW on the viewer. "Temple" was panned by many critics as an overtly violent, and over the top Jones film, but has since, become a fan cult favorite among many IJ fans, while Last Crusade was initially hailed as good, but lacking the needed gusto to make it great. Time has proven both of those initial reactions completely wrong. I know several fans who enjoy Crusade MORE than any of the previous films.
Crystal Skull ranks up with the other 2 films and OFTEN, I say this in bold, OFTEN, surpasses both prior sequels.
Spielberg just keeps getting better, and better at what he does. The direction is nothing short of genius in this film, and time will honor the 4th installment with classic status, even though, at present, it's getting a lot of bad press.
I've heard a lot of reviews state that IJ4 is just a set up for multiple, over the top action sets pieces, coupled with long winded seqments of dialogue
...ummmm...that's pretty much every Indy film to date, including Raiders to a T.
I've also heard people argue that there is too much absurdity in this film (too many unbelievable and over the top moments)
...again...I have to ask, what Indy films were they watching? The ENTIRE series is laced with moments and outright eye-rolling CLASSIC segways, pulling the viewer from one frightening, claustrophobic fist fight, to blatant absurd escape by our hero, or his friends to another.
This film does the same, but with a new fluidity, that the brilliant director has only gained since his Saving Private Ryan introduction and subsequent obvious next level of craft.
Crystal Skull also does us the distinct honor of being filmed in the style of the older films, with Spielberg's newer matting approach. Washed whites, silver and blues blanket this film and the characters much the way they did in the director's "War of The Worlds" remake, and the result is simply beautiful and often breath taking. The film had such a classic look to it and I felt it fit perfectly with the prior films.
I also felt the special effects were a HUGE breath of fresh air. Very few appeared to rely on CGI exclusively and I was thoroughly convinced of many of the effects, more so that the glorified "Spider Man" esque video games we see on the big screen now.
Spielberg was even so bold, at the end of the film, as to allow a very extended special effects shot, which obviously mixed ILM techniques of layering with some CGI and even bluescreen. The results were a nearly convincing effect of a magnitude I've never seen attempted. They got pretty darn close though, and for that, my sincerest appreciations go to Spielberg and his crew.
If you're a true Indy fan, remember the previous films by heart, and love the style of direction, and pulp nostalgia, I cannot see how you could dislike "Crystal Skull," let alone, not love it and see it as an obvious classic.
YES, there are a few un necessary additions to the film. I felt we could have done without the Marion Ravenwood re introduction (Karen Allen was great in Raiders, and her role in Crystal Skull, I felt, was often contrived to say the best). AND, the film could have benefited from a few changes to Indy's dialogue, especially in the beginning. Something was missing that first 15 or 20 minutes, but I bought it, because the prior 2 sequels pull the same proverbial introduction rabbit from the hat, leaving the viewer a bit disconcerted and wondering if they've stumbled into the wrong theatre all together.
Just a note for comparison to anyone considering seeing this film, but I was a bit disappointed by the last Die Hard film. I felt it lacked the bravado, and over the top 80's edge of its predecessors. I also didn't feel like I was watching Jon Mclain anymore..but more a "changed for the new millenium" burnout, trying the draw the vague line between good guy and bad guy. In my opinion, what made the original Die Hard films so great, was Mclain's 1950's Gary Cooper persona, slammed into the 1980's glitz. Why they couldn't carry that through in the 4th film successfully, I'm still at a bit of a loss to describe.
Indy 4 revives Jones and many, many moments reminded me of Raiders and Temple. Spielberg manages to film Ford in a way that convinces the viewer he is still tough, seemingly youthful in action and strong.
In the quieter moments, and especially the intro, we REALLY see Ford's age. But after he gets the jacket on, we get to experience Indy the way we all remember.
I sincerely hope this is NOT the end of the Spielberg/Lucas/Harrison Ford Indy Films. It would be awesome to see this incredible team do this 2 more times in the next few years and create a virtual sextet of Indy films, BUT, I know that's a pipe dream, considering it took 20 years just to get Skull off the ground!
I would not want to see Indy done in any other incarnation than this team of 3 great craftsmen, nor do I think ANYONE can play IJ in the same classic way Ford does. I didn't believe it when I saw "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles" Lucas produced, and I'm sorry, as good an actor Shia is, he's no IJ.
There's something magical that happens when Lucas and Spielberg work together and watching IJ4, I felt like a kid again, seeing Raiders, or Temple for the first time. It was a warm, happy return to the best memories of the early to mid eighties movie magic. I could see several sequences in the film even becoming classic DisneyLand rides in the eighties...in a good way...not the sell out way so many films try to tie in product endorsement these days. Overall, 5 stars. Classic film. I will see this 2-3 more times AT LEAST before it leaves theatres.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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