Knight at the Movies Archives
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Spielberg-Lucas-Ford bring back their iconic franchise BIG TIME
So much of the 1980s has returned (politically and culturally) that it probably isn’t surprising that one of the decades most exuberant
and enduring movie franchises would also come roaring back. Unlike the political conservatism, social unrest and economic crash
that collided 20 years ago and are once again front and center, however, the return of Indiana Jones via the fourth installment in the
series, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is to be welcomed back with open arms. Here is one reunion
you shouldn’t dread attending – Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and their iconic star Harrison Ford are together again – easily
proving they’re still very much a trio to contend with – while Crystal Skull is a blockbuster that blows the competition out of the
megaplex and shows those “kid” directors how to make an action movie already.
The adventure commences in the Nevada desert in 1957. A group of nasty Communist terrorists have quietly invaded America’s
infamous military store hold of secrets – Area 51. But even these bad boys have sense enough to step up the armed guards when
unloading their kidnapped prisoner once inside the base’s warehouse of hidden treasure (the same one glimpsed at the end of
Raiders of the Lost Ark). We see Indiana’s iconic hat in silhouette first, then the man himself. “Russians,” says Ford with disgust as
Indy after taking a quick survey of his captors. “This ain’t going to be easy,” his fellow prisoner Mac (Ray Winstone) says. “Not as
easy as it used to be,” Indy retorts.
With that one exchange, the wry response-in-the-face-of-imminent-danger tone that Spielberg set in the three previous installments
is again firmly in place. Seconds later we are introduced to this edition’s villain, the evil but brilliant Russian Agent, Irinia Spalko
(Cate Blanchett sporting a black pageboy and “Boris and Natasha” accent) who wants Indy to help her track down a particular crate in
the mysterious warehouse (and yes, we get a tantalizing glimpse of the ark of the covenant). Before another five minutes have
passed, Spielberg who doesn’t dawdle, plunges us into the bracing, dazzling first set piece that finds Indy faced not just with
outsmarting pesky Commies but also how to survive an Atom bomb test.
With composer John Williams’ signature theme blaring the chase is afoot and the globe is spinning as we follow a race between the
Russians and Indy, who hooks up with Mutt (Shia LeBeouf), a cross between James Dean-Marlon Brando (complete with motorcycle,
switchblade, and an Elvis pompadour he’s constantly combing) on a quest to find the crystal skull of the title. Mutt is filled with
bravado (“What’re you, like 80?” he wisecracks to Indy) but with Indy’s encouragement quickly steps up to the plate in the stunt
department (and cutie pie LeBeouf also makes for a nice heartthrob). When we discover that Mutt is the son of Marion (Karen
Allen), Indy’s love interest from Raiders, we also get the nice bonus of Allen’s return to the series. She’s lost none of her spunk and
holds her own as the group travels to South America. There they discover underground catacombs, ancient pyramids, swarming fire
ants, deadly natives, and plenty more while the well-balanced script even tosses in a healthy dose of spooky sci-fi fun to the action.
Ford, who doesn’t exactly hand the mantle to LeBeouf but rather, gives him his due, still has plenty of audience rapport to draw on
and Spielberg gives him terrific support, not just from Blanchett, Allen and Winstone but from John Hurt, Jim Broadbent and one Igor
Jijikine, a striking blond hulk who plays the menacing Red Army commander Dovchenko (you’ll know who I mean).
Audiences and some critics may view Crystal Skull through a modern prism and find the movie, in light of the nonstop CGI effects
blockbuster of today, an ancient relic itself. But this isn’t a movie for cynics or tech heads – far from it. Spielberg and Lucas always
meant for the Indiana Jones movies to be larger than life versions of the Saturday morning serials they remembered and wanted to
honor from their childhood – plenty of dazzling action set pieces, a hint of mysteriousness, lots of tongue in cheek fun, and a
moment of depth here and there. In short, great adventure stories.
The original trio of films succeeded with mixed results – the first hit a bullseye, the second not quite that (the whining Kate Capshaw
and Spielberg’s childish enthusiasm for grossness spoil the fun), and the third was a pretty good return to form (helped enormously
by the bonus of the relationship between Sean Connery and Ford). Crystal Skull, which looks and sounds like it was shot at the same
time as the others (a wise decision on Spielberg’s part, because it gives the film a timeless, not of the moment look) is a
tremendously entertaining addition to the series – second only to Raiders, in fact.
After 19 years Spielberg and company have unearthed the best treasure of all – another great Indiana Jones movie. To get the full
experience leave your cynicism at the door and bring along your wide eyed enthusiasm (and your kids who will love this a lot more
than Prince Caspian). Then strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.
and enduring movie franchises would also come roaring back. Unlike the political conservatism, social unrest and economic crash
that collided 20 years ago and are once again front and center, however, the return of Indiana Jones via the fourth installment in the
series, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is to be welcomed back with open arms. Here is one reunion
you shouldn’t dread attending – Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and their iconic star Harrison Ford are together again – easily
proving they’re still very much a trio to contend with – while Crystal Skull is a blockbuster that blows the competition out of the
megaplex and shows those “kid” directors how to make an action movie already.
The adventure commences in the Nevada desert in 1957. A group of nasty Communist terrorists have quietly invaded America’s
infamous military store hold of secrets – Area 51. But even these bad boys have sense enough to step up the armed guards when
unloading their kidnapped prisoner once inside the base’s warehouse of hidden treasure (the same one glimpsed at the end of
Raiders of the Lost Ark). We see Indiana’s iconic hat in silhouette first, then the man himself. “Russians,” says Ford with disgust as
Indy after taking a quick survey of his captors. “This ain’t going to be easy,” his fellow prisoner Mac (Ray Winstone) says. “Not as
easy as it used to be,” Indy retorts.
With that one exchange, the wry response-in-the-face-of-imminent-danger tone that Spielberg set in the three previous installments
is again firmly in place. Seconds later we are introduced to this edition’s villain, the evil but brilliant Russian Agent, Irinia Spalko
(Cate Blanchett sporting a black pageboy and “Boris and Natasha” accent) who wants Indy to help her track down a particular crate in
the mysterious warehouse (and yes, we get a tantalizing glimpse of the ark of the covenant). Before another five minutes have
passed, Spielberg who doesn’t dawdle, plunges us into the bracing, dazzling first set piece that finds Indy faced not just with
outsmarting pesky Commies but also how to survive an Atom bomb test.
With composer John Williams’ signature theme blaring the chase is afoot and the globe is spinning as we follow a race between the
Russians and Indy, who hooks up with Mutt (Shia LeBeouf), a cross between James Dean-Marlon Brando (complete with motorcycle,
switchblade, and an Elvis pompadour he’s constantly combing) on a quest to find the crystal skull of the title. Mutt is filled with
bravado (“What’re you, like 80?” he wisecracks to Indy) but with Indy’s encouragement quickly steps up to the plate in the stunt
department (and cutie pie LeBeouf also makes for a nice heartthrob). When we discover that Mutt is the son of Marion (Karen
Allen), Indy’s love interest from Raiders, we also get the nice bonus of Allen’s return to the series. She’s lost none of her spunk and
holds her own as the group travels to South America. There they discover underground catacombs, ancient pyramids, swarming fire
ants, deadly natives, and plenty more while the well-balanced script even tosses in a healthy dose of spooky sci-fi fun to the action.
Ford, who doesn’t exactly hand the mantle to LeBeouf but rather, gives him his due, still has plenty of audience rapport to draw on
and Spielberg gives him terrific support, not just from Blanchett, Allen and Winstone but from John Hurt, Jim Broadbent and one Igor
Jijikine, a striking blond hulk who plays the menacing Red Army commander Dovchenko (you’ll know who I mean).
Audiences and some critics may view Crystal Skull through a modern prism and find the movie, in light of the nonstop CGI effects
blockbuster of today, an ancient relic itself. But this isn’t a movie for cynics or tech heads – far from it. Spielberg and Lucas always
meant for the Indiana Jones movies to be larger than life versions of the Saturday morning serials they remembered and wanted to
honor from their childhood – plenty of dazzling action set pieces, a hint of mysteriousness, lots of tongue in cheek fun, and a
moment of depth here and there. In short, great adventure stories.
The original trio of films succeeded with mixed results – the first hit a bullseye, the second not quite that (the whining Kate Capshaw
and Spielberg’s childish enthusiasm for grossness spoil the fun), and the third was a pretty good return to form (helped enormously
by the bonus of the relationship between Sean Connery and Ford). Crystal Skull, which looks and sounds like it was shot at the same
time as the others (a wise decision on Spielberg’s part, because it gives the film a timeless, not of the moment look) is a
tremendously entertaining addition to the series – second only to Raiders, in fact.
After 19 years Spielberg and company have unearthed the best treasure of all – another great Indiana Jones movie. To get the full
experience leave your cynicism at the door and bring along your wide eyed enthusiasm (and your kids who will love this a lot more
than Prince Caspian). Then strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.
Masters of the Blockbuster:
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
5-21-08 Windy City Times Knight at the Movies Column
By Richard Knight, Jr.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
5-21-08 Windy City Times Knight at the Movies Column
By Richard Knight, Jr.
