Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

I think I was eight when I saw 'Raiders of the Lost Ark.' Who could ever forget the adventure, action, fun mythic archaeology story, and melting Nazi faces of that movie?? I never have. And in the many years since that template film, hundreds of wannabees and fellow action films have been made. So, going into 'Crystal Skull,' I worried that I'd be spoiled, and that we'd have another 'Star Wars Prequels' Syndrome, where Lucas simply could not match his original visions. I'm glad to say, I was wrong.

Indy might be a little older, but he still has that spunk. The plot, which was maligned by some critics, was fabulous! I think it's ME, but I was completely able to suspend disbelief, I love archaeology and myths, and I loved the "MacGuffin" (the key element to the film, which I will not reveal as a spoiler). The plot was fast-paced, had plenty of Indy-explains-history-and-myth, which I loved, and the plot made a lot of sense. It fit into the central themes of all of the Indiana Jones movies, to me, since to me, they all revolved around mythic, religious, and/or paranormal things (The Ark of the Covenant, The Shankara Stones in India, and the Holy Grail).

Great actors in this film: Cate Blanchett, the villian we did not want to die (such a talented actor!), Shia LeBeouf, what a CUTE boy he is, and Harrison, oh, Harrison! Older, but still, when he smiled that famous Indy smile at the end, my heart still skipped a beat.

I loved this movie!

The summer movie season looks to be great this year.

Grade: A

Very solid film. 'Raiders' is still my fave Indy film....but you can't hardly trump a childhood memory.