The "I've Seen Indy IV" Thread (No Spoilers Please)

[BadMoon]

I am worried that Irish has not commented on it yet. Yo Irish! What gives? Your opinion any day now.

 

[choopie]

Went to a midnight showing. I walked away with mixed feelings about it and want to see it at least one more time to see if my thoughts hold firm. Initial reaction: I was disappointed, and I went into it without any expectations and fairly spoiler-free. I was hoping it'd be on par with LC, and IMO, it's the weakest out of the bunch.

I will say this, it is definitely a film for the fans. If you haven't seen the other films or are not familiar with Indy and his quirks, then you aren't going to completely grasp the inside jokes.

I loved the opening scene and the scene with the snake and the dry sand pit. And a nice touch with the tribute to Marcus.

However, I felt that much of the humor in the film was completely unnecessary -- interjected unnaturally just to get a chuckle from the audience. And you really need to suspend disbelief in some of the scenes. I liked the time period, but I'm not sold on the story line. I felt there was really no real connections between the characters, and the Russians seemed very two dimensional. And I didn't care for the ending.

The good thing is this film didn't ruin my love for Indy or the franchise. TOD remains my fav of the follow-ups.

 

[pickard]

Agreed on all points. ...
But it didn't take away from the experience for me at all. Indy is back in his full glory, he is back... tomb hopping, jotting notes and acting like a real Archaeologist again. It was great.
...

Awesome!! Our tastes coincide most of the time, so I'm glad you liked it so much.

 

[anti-hero]

The good thing is this film didn't ruin my love for Indy or the franchise. TOD remains my fav of the follow-ups.

Hmm...your post was really scaring me until I read this. For me, TLC is far better than TOD, so i'm still hopeful the new one will work for my tastes.

 

[Gruson]

Awful movie.

No suspense or drama at all and far too much "forced" comedy and stupid CGI creature moments.

I posted more in the spoilers forum.


It's sad when you're shaking you head at what's happening in the movie, then finally just laughing at it (not with it) because it's soooo bad.

Way too many cringe moments for me.

I just didn't care what happened to the characters either.

It just did not have the Indy "feel" or "magic" to it.

I love Raiders, TOD, and TLC but this last movie was just horrible.

TOD is still my favorite sequel for sure.

 

[JAWS]

Awful movie.

No suspense or drama at all and far too much "forced" comedy and stupid CGI creature moments.

I posted more in the spoilers forum.


It's sad when you're shaking you head at what's happening in the movie, then finally just laughing at it (not with it) because it's soooo bad.

Way too many cringe moments for me.

I just didn't care what happened to the characters either.

It just did not have the Indy "feel" or "magic" to it.

I love Raiders, TOD, and TLC but this last movie was just horrible.

TOD is still my favorite sequel for sure.

I AGREE 100%. I don't know if I would call the film awful. Hard for me to do that being that it was Indiana Jones. Take Jones out of this film and it has no good qualities.

 

[Wor-Gar]

gut reaction after seeing the movie- didn't work for me....but I'm WAY too in love with the original films. Disappointment was inevitable.

Trev

Ugh. That's the final knife through my heart.

 

[hairlesswookiee]

 

[olvidadero]

You're probably going to hate me for this, but I saw it a cople of hours ago, and felt like writing a (spoiler free) mini-review... in Spanish. Yeah, sorry, I don't feel like translating, so this is for the people who can read Spanish. I am sorry if this is too out of place, I just wanted to share my thoughts with you, no matter in which language.

Acontecimientos como este nos hacen seguir amando el cine. La nueva Indiana Jones es absolutamente perfecta: antológica, divertida, algo absurda y con el justo punto de tontería, o sea, todo lo que una película de Indiana Jones debe ser, hasta los últimos 30-40 minutos. Spielberg y Lucas instrumentalizan con maestría el niño que llevamos dentro, hasta que lo violan en la recta final de la película, poniendo el listón de nuestra suspensión de la incredulidad tan, tan alto, que no llegamos ni de puntillas. Aún con todo, vuelvo a repetir, asistir a estrenos cinematográficos como este nos devuelve el espíritu de cinéfilo soñador y nos “retorna” (menudo guiño) las ganas de seguir amando el cine muchos años más. Con suerte, un puñado de chavales decidirán ser directores de cine viendo El reino de la calavera de cristal, al igual que otros tantos cuando vieron El arca perdida.

Y ahora random thoughts sobre la película:

- Oscar a diseño de producción obligado.
- Me vuelvo asalta cunas y asalta asilos a la vez. Harrison es un viejales con sex appeal (la escena después de la bomba…) y Shia es Shia… Oh, Shia (Mutt ha superado mis expectativas)..
- Karen Allen es una viejita encantadora.
- La mejor escena de la película, sin duda, el pozo de arena.
- Cate Blanchett no hace nada del otro mundo, mucha presencia escénica para una villana con muy poca personalidad.
- Se recomienda fervientemente revisar la trilogía antes de ir a ver la IV, así se aprecia a otro nivel.
- Que alguien me robe un póster de las marquesinas.
- Se confirman mis malos augurios con David Koepp, el guionista coitus interruptus.

 

[Wor-Gar]

You're probably going to hate me for this, but I saw it a cople of hours ago, and felt like writing a (spiler free) mini-review... in Spanish. Yeah, sorry, I don't feel like translating, so this is for the people who can read Spanish. I am sorry if this is too out of place, I just wanted to share my thoughts with you, no matter in which language.

WOW!!!

That bad, huh? That's got to be the most brutal review yet, in Spanish.

 

[Les Walker]

Just got back. Just saw it. While it's in my head...

My basically non-spoiler take on Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

OK, first….it’s been 19 years. I cannot fault either Lucas, Spielberg or Harrison Ford for the ages each has reached, and therefore, the slowed pace that comes with age. This movie does not move at the same frenetic pace as tales of Indys past. Even the red lines when they travel seem slower and more calmed down. Plus, there is little “world” travel here, just mostly to South America, so that’s easier too.

Indy is older. End of problems. I like the way it starts, with Elvis crooning over yet another tricked out roadster’s radio (looks like a black version of the yellow car from American Graffitti). And from there, it’s nostalgia all the way. Lots of 50’s references. Howdy Doody, I like Ike. Commies. The works.

As for the Indy mystery archeology plot, I found some of it refreshing, and more like REAL archeology, with more realistic dialogue, than some of the sequels, but as others have said, just seeing Indy in dusty old tombs was almost in and of itself great enough.

Mutt was a decent sidekick, and seeing Marion again was great, if rushed. No real time to feel much. Very “kid’s take” and all. I wish there had been more chemistry with them like in Raiders.

Villains were fine. Didn’t expect much. The Russian chick was great. Natasha more or less. OK.

The “McGuffin”, the Crystal Skull and it’s backstory were cool enough. Led to a decent and interesting ending compared to the other movies, but was fine.

There was a weird plothole right at the end, that I need explained, otherwise it ended on a more grounded note than any other of the films. Warmer.

All in all, I would say this, after having seen all four movies in one week, within days of each other, my order of favorites is easy. From Raiders to Crystal Skull, in order of appearance. The end. As they go, they lose something that Raiders established. Temple of Doom was the most different, and was a shock at the time, but now remains the most adrenaline rushed. Last Crusade was fun if silly at times, and Crystal Skull felt slower, but again, calmer and more grounded than the other two sequels.
NOTHING will EVER replace that shock of seeing a sneak preview of Raiders when I had no idea what I was about to see. Nothing. None of the sequels, ever lived up the the Ark. Never will.

Favorite things about the series in retrospect, The Ark and everything to do with it, Indy’s amazing and fearless daring in Raiders. Banter with Short Round and Mola Ram in TOD. Henry Sr, hell, CONNERY, in LC. The Ants and that one final surprise bit with the 13 skeletons in CS. That was wicked! The very end of CS also. Not a bad way to go out.

If they make more, I want to see old, patched eyed Indy now. No more Indy costume. He’s done enough in it. Time to be old man Indy and just be the guy that knows stuff. Let others do the action. That, or better yet, NO MORE! Be done. “Indiana…Let it go.”

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull **½ out of five stars.

 

[Deak Starkiller]

Good points Les, but I feel when you title the movie "Last Crusade" then maybe stick to the plan. I mean Indy literally rides off into the sunset, what more could you ask for?

 

[EVILFACE]

I don't think Last Crusade title had anything to do with it being a last movie.

 

[customizerwannabe]

Loved the movie, but it wasn't great. Very good I'd say. Indie's fighting prowess was a bit hard to believe in the previous movies but it's just totally unbelievable here. Same stock formula for an Indy movie which makes it a fun ride. A great nostalgia trip for those of us who saw the first Raiders in the theatre. It should definitely be Ford's last Indy ACTION movie. Let Shia take over. I think in a few more years he could make a plausible Indy heir.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Well, given the basic overall opinion, I've decided to see this movie tomorrow rather than today or tonight. I see no need to rush out. I pretty much know what I'm in for. Maybe a fun Friday night crowd will help.

 

[BadMoon]

I leave in 10 minutes.

 

[scubasteve]

I don't think Last Crusade title had anything to do with it being a last movie.

It was a very clever title which is open to interpretation. I always saw it both ways. The literal "last Crusade" and the "last" Indy film (not anymore).

 

[DarthNeil]

(fingers in ears)

I HATE YOU ALL!!!!...
running away from this thread in tears---

 

[Dusty]

It was a very clever title which is open to interpretation. I always saw it both ways. The literal "last Crusade" and the "last" Indy film (not anymore).

It will forever, to me, be the last "Indy film"

 

[Wor-Gar]

So where's IRISH with his review?

Is he home, crying, throwing his new toys against the wall, yelling: WHY!? Damn you, Lucas. Damn you!

Or maybe he really liked it, and he's still in the theater for the 5th showing.

Come on, Irish, you're the Indiana Jones of the Indiana Jones section, so let's go -- let's hear it from you.