Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
My whole impression of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull can be reduced to the following analogy: Indiana Jones 4 is to Indiana Jones 1-3 as Star Wars Episodes 1-3 are to Star Wars Episodes 4-6.
So what do I mean with the previous analogy? Just as with the Star Wars prequel trilogy, our expectations for the film are driven primarily by our nostalgia for the previous films. The original Indiana Jones films are classics that combined memorable characters and awesome action sequences to create a fun movie experience for viewers. And indeed, it is highly entertaining to watch Indiana Jones up to his former antics, especially in dramatic chase/fight scenes.
But when it comes to harnessing our nostalgia, the film tries to outdo its predecessors and the result is patent self-parody. Just as Yoda went from a cryptic sage to a retarded cartoon character, so too do the action sequences shift from delightfully implausible to downright cartoon in nature. Similarly, the intercontinental travels of the previous films — apparently inadequate in scope — give way to interdimensional travel (I shit you not) as a possible frontier for Indy and his fellow adventurers. Everything is elevated to the point of contortion, as nostalgia and one-up-manship unwisely drive this sequel.
Of course, while these complaints make old fans groan, there’s still no denying the entertainment factor of this film. I watched it with my fifth-grader nephew, and we both got a lot of kick from the action sequences and the well-placed, occasionally self-referential gags. Thing is, we probably took the same amount away from the film, and I’ll leave the question of whether that’s a good thing or not open for debate. In the meantime, let’s just say that it didn’t help the Star Wars prequels any.
Tristan says: 3.5/5
Originally written for http://www.nobodylikesonions.com/forums/
