Movie #311 - Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
2008 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 2 min
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Cate Blanchett, Shia LeBeouf, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent

Nearly twenty years after Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Lucas and friends thought it would be a good idea to relive the glory days with a brand new adventure.  Indiana's middle-aged now, still getting into trouble, and dealing with getting old and losing friends and his dad. 

I have to admit - especially after seeing the Rocky Balboa, a similar attempt - I had my reservations.  My initial reaction? "This is gonna suck."  But my love of Indiana drew me to the theater anyway and I tried to give it a chance.  Despite a short nap somewhere in the middle, I saw it.... and hated it.
Lots of the jokes felt rehashed and recycled.  Everyone had wrinkles. (Not a problem, except when you're not using to seeing these characters like that.) And the whole Shia LeBeouf thing could've been better than it was.... I mean, what kind of name is Mutt? Is that a weak play on "We named the dog Indiana" and now your son has a dog name too?  That's stupid, George Lucas. Stupid.

Mike insisted on buying this DVD to complete our quartet and so I had to watch it again.  Them's the rules.  So for the first time since that horrific day in the theater, I watched Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. This time, I did not fall asleep. And I really did give it a fair shot.

So here's my new impression.  **SPOILER ALERT** The first 3/4 of the movie aren't any worse than Temple of Doom.  There's a clear adventure in the works, and assorted curve balls get Indiana on his way.  The whole Karen Allen and her son subplot is worked in well, so it's not too jarring when you find out about that.  Actually, you kind of guess it. 

But then you get to the end.  ALIENS? ALIENS, GEORGE? WHAT THE HELL?! The ending ruins everything.  I might even take the aliens if it weren't for the whole "They're not from outer space, they're from and interdimension, the space between spaces" bull crap.  I call shenanigans.  And then the "space ship" or whatever the heck it is, lifts up and creates a giant rock tornado - that SOMEHOW does NOT kill anyone standing two feet away from it - and goes up and away into not space, but "inter space." WHAT THE HELL, GEORGE LUCAS?  All of a sudden, Indiana Jones is a sci-fi.  I hate this so much.

I really wanted the movie to be better the second time. And I managed to stomach the lame rehashed jokes and wrinkles this time. I even laugh when Indiana teases Marion for getting captured.... again (see my Raiders review).  But I can't accept the aliens. I just can't.

Movie #310 - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
1989 - Rated PG - 2 hr 7 min
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Alison Doody, John Rhys-Davies, River Phoenix

Raise your hand if this is your favorite Indiana Jones movie.  That's what I thought.

All around, this has the most engaging plot, the best cast (sorry, Karen Allen) and the coolest "prize."  Especially considering the awesome, ancient knight that's guarding it.  Yes, the Nazis are back, but this time Indiana's dad is involved. And his dad is Sean Connery, so it's pretty rad.

Maybe it's because I came into the series late, once all three were already made that I like this best.  I'm sure some of those who watched each come out on its own have differing opinions. I know others who prefer Raiders. Still, Crusade has lots of great lines, some great comedic moments, and the iconic "No ticket" line (which I already mentioned in my review of Air Force One.)

If you like adventure and haven't seen these movies, first of all, what's wrong with you?  Second of all, put them in your Netflix queue already.  Enjoy.

Movie #309 - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
1984 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 58 min
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford, Kate Capshaw, Jonathan Ke Quan, Amrish Puri, Dan Aykroyd

Every solid trilogy has a weak point, and I guess Temple of Doom is Indiana's lame movie.  This one differs from the first and third in that it's not a planned adventure.  In fact, the planned adventure takes place off screen before the movie even gets started. The impromptu "how will Indy save himself and friends" adventure is random and kinda nuts.  His usual crew isn't involved and instead his stuck with a high-maintenance singer and the techy Asian kid from The Goonies.

While I like a good "Dr. Jones! Dr. Jones!" as much as the next guy, this movie just doesn't hold up to the other installments in this trilogy.  On its own, it's not bad. But by comparison, it's not great.

Still, it's a nice change of pace away from religious icons and Nazis, I guess.

Movie #308 - Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

Raiders of the Lost Ark
1981 - Rated PG - 1 hr 55 min
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, John Rhys-Davies, Alfred Molina

Just what I needed to break things up: an Indiana Jones marathon!

It's nice to watch movies again as an adult that you were familiar with in your childhood.  It's like watching them with a new set of eyes - more jokes make sense, more actors are familiar, and obviously, the plot lines make more sense.  This movie used to be "that movie where Han Solo has a whip" and as I've grown up, I've developed a new appreciation for this classic.

There's not much to say about this, just that it's a classic for a reason.  It's the perfect action/adventure movie, with a touch of romance for our main character.  Lots of witty lines, iconic moments, etc.  The only thing that bothers me is how easily Karen Allen gets herself in trouble.  You could play a drinking game: every time she gets trapped somewhere, drink.  Every time she gets kidnapped, drink. Every time she yells "Indy!", drink.  Those are the only rules you need to get hammered.

In any case, I love this one.  It's the first of a great trilogy and a good, strong introduction to our favorite adventuring professor!

Movie #277 - Air Force One

Air Force One
1997 - Rated R - 2 hr 4 min
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Starring: Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close, William H Macy, Dean Stockwell

"Get off my plane."

Perhaps the only line worth quoting from this presidential action flick, it's delivered with such commitment, you can't ignore it.  Not as iconic as "No ticket," for sure, but a stand alone line that deserves some notice.

Harrison Ford is perhaps the most kick-ass president modern cinema has ever seen.  Is he a good president? We don't know. Can he re-hijak his hijaked plane? Absolutely.  I can't imagine George W Bush moving like this, but Obama might have a chance.  Don't mess with him, Gary Oldman, I bet Obama's got moves.

In any case, this movie's entertaining - if completely implausible - but not one you absolutely must see.

Movie #217 - The Fugitive

The Fugitive
1994 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 10 min
Director: Andrew Davis
Starring: Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward, Julianne Moore, Joe Pantoliano, Jane Lynch

Another classic film for the letter F and a fan favorite, too.  Harrison Ford vs. Tommy Lee Jones.  Can Ford find his wife's real killer and prove to Jones that he didn't murder her?  Will Jones even care? This wild chase across Chicago is fun to watch and definitely sucks you into the compelling storyline.  Ford's character is the kind of wronged good-guy you cheer for.  And, as we discovered, he's the perfect fugitive: quick and nimble with a medical degree.  He runs quick, thinks quick, and can fix his own wounds. Perfect.

There are some great cameos in here as well.  Julianne Moore as a doctor who spots him in the hospital.  Jane Lynch as a former colleague of his.  And Neil Flynn (Janitor on Scrubs) who plays a Transit Cop, has one line, then gets shot and killed on the train.  Good stuff.

Movie #81 - Blade Runner

Blade Runner
Warner Bros Pictures
1982 - Rated R - 1 hr 57 min
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Harrison Ford, Sean Young, Daryl Hannah, Rutger Hauer

This was my second viewing of Blade Runner, something I would consider a "guy classic." But I have to admit that this second time around, I enjoyed it more.  The whole "is he" or "isn't he" debate drives me nuts (if you don't know what I'm talking about, you have to watch the movie... I'm not spoiling this one for you), but I can appreciate the open-ended "conclusion" of the movie.

Harrison Ford is great, especially considering that he was in the midst of Han Solo-ness at the time this movie was made.  This is a distinctly different character while still being very action-oriented and romatic-hero representative.  Sean Young just freaks me out, though.  Really.

To sum it up, great futuristic concept with a believable plotline and an excellent cast.  I kinda wish the shots weren't so dark throughout the movie, but what do I know about cinematography?  All in all, this one's climbing up my list of personal favorites.