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DetonatedManiac
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- Review count2
- Helpfulness votes0
- First reviewMay 11, 2008
- Last reviewMay 22, 2008
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
DetonatedManiac's Reviews
Overall rating
3
/
5
Flawed Capstone to Raiders and Last Crusade
PostedMay 22, 2008
DetonatedManiac
from Apex, NC
To be fair, I am a die hard Indy Fan, so I am both much more critical and much more forgiving.
.
This movie made me very sad as it had such potential. Unfortunately, there were decisions (made by Lucas I am sure) that spoiled good parts of the movie and took it in a direction far afield from what made Raiders and Last Crusade Great. Small things, like silly "Cutesy" CG, that was inappropriate (ala Star Wars Episode I, II, III) marred otherwise good sequences. Big things, like an overly convoluted storyline and a blurring of the traditional Indy Genre into something more akin to today's superhero / si-fi movies (again, with superfluous use of CG - Lucas cannot help himself).
.
That said, the first half of the movie (aside from the opening credits) was quite enjoyable for an Indy Fan like me, plenty of subtle nods and inside jokes. If you want to get any enjoyment out of the film you MUST watch Raiders and Last Crusade first. Some of the genre blurring is also forgivable if you consider that Indy is 18 years older than in Last Crusade, and in those 18 years the world around him has completely changed (WWII has come and gone, and the Nuclear Age has arisen).
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For all the plot lines and promise that the movie opens up in the first half, do not expect a cohesive or satisfying end. The second half of the movie slips into a mediocre special effects ride that is exciting, to be sure, but somehow not truly Indy or all that fulfilling.
.
In the final analysis, if you were able to enjoy the Star Wars Prequels (perhaps by compartmentalizing them from the first 3 movies) or if you could stand Temple of Doom (this movie is MUCH more palatable than that) Then see the movie, and see it on the Big Screen. Just do not expect that it will live up to the mantle of Raiders or The Last Crusade, even though it attempts to capstone them.
.
This movie made me very sad as it had such potential. Unfortunately, there were decisions (made by Lucas I am sure) that spoiled good parts of the movie and took it in a direction far afield from what made Raiders and Last Crusade Great. Small things, like silly "Cutesy" CG, that was inappropriate (ala Star Wars Episode I, II, III) marred otherwise good sequences. Big things, like an overly convoluted storyline and a blurring of the traditional Indy Genre into something more akin to today's superhero / si-fi movies (again, with superfluous use of CG - Lucas cannot help himself).
.
That said, the first half of the movie (aside from the opening credits) was quite enjoyable for an Indy Fan like me, plenty of subtle nods and inside jokes. If you want to get any enjoyment out of the film you MUST watch Raiders and Last Crusade first. Some of the genre blurring is also forgivable if you consider that Indy is 18 years older than in Last Crusade, and in those 18 years the world around him has completely changed (WWII has come and gone, and the Nuclear Age has arisen).
.
For all the plot lines and promise that the movie opens up in the first half, do not expect a cohesive or satisfying end. The second half of the movie slips into a mediocre special effects ride that is exciting, to be sure, but somehow not truly Indy or all that fulfilling.
.
In the final analysis, if you were able to enjoy the Star Wars Prequels (perhaps by compartmentalizing them from the first 3 movies) or if you could stand Temple of Doom (this movie is MUCH more palatable than that) Then see the movie, and see it on the Big Screen. Just do not expect that it will live up to the mantle of Raiders or The Last Crusade, even though it attempts to capstone them.
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Great Ride all the way through
PostedMay 11, 2008
DetonatedManiac
from Apex, NC
The special effects are certainly a main attraction, but the plot, tension, emotion and humor is solid as well, and well integrated.
I'm usually not a big Action / special effects movie fan, but I loved this movie, it makes me want to go out and read the comics. The characters were surprisingly deep for how quick the pace was.
Downey Jr. tied togeather humor and conflicted-ness, along with I guess "lovable arrogant charisma" into the role, and he had the perfect reactions to those "AHH COOL" special effects moments. The rest of the cast supported well.
***IMPORTANT NOTE*** STAY ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE END CREDITS, there is a special treat and you'll be glad you waited
I'm usually not a big Action / special effects movie fan, but I loved this movie, it makes me want to go out and read the comics. The characters were surprisingly deep for how quick the pace was.
Downey Jr. tied togeather humor and conflicted-ness, along with I guess "lovable arrogant charisma" into the role, and he had the perfect reactions to those "AHH COOL" special effects moments. The rest of the cast supported well.
***IMPORTANT NOTE*** STAY ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE END CREDITS, there is a special treat and you'll be glad you waited
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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