Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull Discussion Thread (Spoilers)

[IrishJedi]

I will agree that Estel's review was well-written, thoughtful and rational. Now THAT is how you express dislike/disappointment in something without resorting to melodrama and over-exaggerations. If most of the Anti-KOTCS reviews were like that there wouldn't have been nearly the amount of debate.

 

[TheObsoleteMan]

I'm always surprised when people say they didn't like the ant scene. The vine swinging I can understand and even the gophers, but that ant scene with Dovchenko being devoured was frickin' awesome... well, to me at least anyway.

Of course, I also dug the indestructible fridge.

 

[IrishJedi]

I don't care what anyone else thinks, I LOVE the entire Area 51/Doom Town sequence (including the Incredible Flying Indestructible Magic Fridge).

The Siafu (ants) sequence... eh. I can't live without it. But it doesn't really bother me, either.

Some of the other consistent gripes (excessive CGI prairie dogs, Tarzan Mutt, the Tree catapult, etc) bug me, too. But thankfully I've been able to get over it due to the fact that those scenes/shots make up about 2% of the film's running time.

 

[Agent0028]

I thought the ant scene was cool too. A little tame though, after the ending of raiders I expected to see a partially eaten corpse or something.

 

[Estel]

I'm glad some of you guys disagree with me, what fun is there in all agreeing with each other, right?

I am definitely going to give this movie an other chance, I can't wait for the series to come out on blu-ray. Most of my points made in the previous post were negative, but there were parts of the movie that thoroughly enjoyed. How cheesy as some of the Area 51 stuff might have been, I loved it. The russians getting burned by the powersled etc.

However, I cannot ignore that the entire first part was rather useless. It was a fun set-up for sure, but the film could have easily started with Mutt seeking Indy's help (leaving out the FBI/firing plotline).

I still feel I might enjoy this film more on a second viewing, as I don't think I will be bothered by some of the goofy elements. Maybe I will, who knows.

Sadly the whole story still felt to me like a rehash of the previous films. References in films work if they're spontanious and driven by the plot. In the case of KOTCS, however, it felt like they worked their way down a checklist of 'Things to put in an Indiana Jones Film'. That's why it all ends up feeling forced and frankly unwanted.

It's a missed opportunity, but I can live with it.

 

[IrishJedi]

However, I cannot ignore that the entire first part was rather useless. It was a fun set-up for sure, but the film could have easily started with Mutt seeking Indy's help.

All of the INDY films start with a prologue that really doesn't have anything to do with the plot of the rest of the movie. Spielberg/Lucas like to explain it as us seeing the end of Indy's previous adventure.

I still feel I might enjoy this film more on a second viewing

I believe you will.

 

[Estel]

All of the INDY films start with a prologue that really doesn't have anything to do with the plot of the rest of the movie. Spielberg/Lucas like to explain it as us seeing the end of Indy's previous adventure.

I have to agree with you there, but I still feel that this 'prologue' was much more connected to the rest of the film than the ones in the previous films. Plus, it once again leads to the question why Spalko had to steal the alien remains if she clearly already knew of their exsitence. She wouldn't want to see the corpse to confirm the myth, as she mentioned two had already been found in Russia. Not to mention the fact that she seemed fully informed about the skull's powers later on in the film.

Oh well, still a great part of the film. No need for over-analyzing.

 

[IrishJedi]

During the tent scene (when Indy is strapped in) Spalko explains that the Roswell alien is the first one to have been found with a crystal skeleton, which confirmed the legend.

 

[Estel]

Can't believe I missed that, lol.

Oh well, she sure liked dragging it all the way into the jungle though.

 

[Agent0028]

During the tent scene (when Indy is strapped in) Spalko explains that the Roswell alien is the first one to have been found with a crystal skeleton, which confirmed the legend.

Yeah she said there were two others she examined in Russia, but they didn't have completely crystal skeletons.

I like the point you made about the "Things to Put in an Indiana Jones movie" it does have that vibe at times. Yet, I think I kind of like that part of it too since the Indiana Jones series is almost like a serious parody of movie series in general. If that makes any sense.

 

[Odowankenobi]

Thank you Estel. Your review is very well put and explains your problems with the movie far better than any I have read. Even though I completely disagree with you, and thought the movie was a great time. I respect your opinion, and thank you for putting it so well. That's more than most people on the internet can say. "It sucked" and "It was crap" are the general criticisms without any examples to back them up.

 

[DinoLast]

The thing that bothers me about the criticism is that people say why Aliens?
Well, the bad guys are soviet communists and so they would probably be atheists too.
The Russians would have no interest in a religious artifact.

 

[Khev]

I finally saw KOTCS for the first time since the theater on Blu-Ray last night. I know I'm in the minority but I'm realizing that I flat out love this movie. I really think its great. So many great scenes, from big action sequences to little touches sprinkled throughout.

Raiders will always be king but I think KOTCS is at *least* as good as the other sequels.

Its not perfect, (somebody really *should* have gotten minced in that Jungle Cutter and the monkeys were undeniably cartoonish) but the good far, far surpasses the negative. One thing I don't see mentioned too often is the cinematography, its outright *gorgeous* and possibly the best in series. It really shines in High Definition.

I loved Ford as old Indy. I really didn't think he faltered in any scene. I'm sure that over the years this will be my most viewed movie of 2008 just for the shear level of fun it is watch.

 

[Kain's Ancient Blade]

I finally saw KOTCS for the first time since the theater on Blu-Ray last night. I know I'm in the minority but I'm realizing that I flat out love this movie. I really think its great. So many great scenes, from big action sequences to little touches sprinkled throughout.

Raiders will always be king but I think KOTCS is at *least* as good as the other sequels.

Its not perfect, (somebody really *should* have gotten minced in that Jungle Cutter and the monkeys were undeniably cartoonish) but the good far, far surpasses the negative. One thing I don't see mentioned too often is the cinematography, its outright *gorgeous* and possibly the best in series. It really shines in High Definition.

I loved Ford as old Indy. I really didn't think he faltered in any scene. I'm sure that over the years this will be my most viewed movie of 2008 just for the shear level of fun it is watch.

I also just watched the film for the first time on bluray since it came out in theaters and I have to say I still love the movie. I saw it 3 times in theaters and love it even more now that I saw it in high def. Yeah it has it's little problems but so did all the other ones. And I love all of them. I also think Shia did a great job.

 

[Khev]

I had no problem with Shia either Kain. I think he's a worthy addition to Indy's stable of supporting characters. He's obviously no Connery but who is?

I was just thinking about how KOTCS compared to other "fourth" movies in series' where the first one or two films are considered classics.

Let's take a look:

The Phantom Menace
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
Alien: Resurrection
Jaws: The Revenge
Rocky IV
Batman and Robin
Live Free Die Hard
Rambo (2008)

I'd have to rate Crystal Skull above all of those though it should be noted I still haven't seen Die Hard 4 or Rambo 4.

 

[CelticPredator]

Rambo is amazing, and I dug Live Free....unrated. But thats me.

 

[Khev]

I was going to watch Rambo on HD on Demand until I read there's an explicit rape scene in the movie. I *hate* seeing any kind of sexual assaults in movies. How bad is it? Otherwise I really want to see it.

 

[stshammgod]

I don't remember a rape scene in that.

 

[galactiboy]

I don't remember a rape scene in that.

I can't remember it either... but I've only seen it once.

 

[CelticPredator]

I was going to watch Rambo on HD on Demand until I read there's an explicit rape scene in the movie. I *hate* seeing any kind of sexual assaults in movies. How bad is it? Otherwise I really want to see it.

Its so explicit..it never goes anywhere, and Rambo saves the day before the guy even gets to first base. I'd say, its fine.