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Quint and THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL!

Published at:  May 18, 2008 11:18:46 PM CDT

SPOILER ALERT !!

Ahoy, squirts! Quint here. After reading Harry’s review, why do I feel like I’m going to be the bad guy here? It’s not fair… mostly because I actually really liked the movie. There are moments in the film that are great and there are very few, if any, that stand out as being bad.

Is it a fun movie? Yeah, it is. Is Harrison Ford back? Yes, he is… the light’s behind the eyes, he gives a shit again. What about that LaBeouf kid all the talkbackers hate? He’s got a silly name in the movie, but other than that I thought he was actually one of the better parts of the film.

Is it Indiana Jones? That’s the most important question. Yes, it is. And I’d say it’s the third best sequel. That’s not a knock. Indy is back, Ben Burtt’s awesome punches and gunshots and whip cracks are back, John Williams is back. The Indy universe is still the same.

I love that we have an Indiana Jones movie out again, I love these characters.

But I think the blinders are put on if anyone thinks it’s on the same level as RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK.

I love all three previous Indiana Jones movies in different ways. RAIDERS is by far the best. It might not be your favorite, I can understand that, but in terms of filmmaking and capturing lightning in a bottle, it is one of the best films ever made. It’s a throwback without losing its own identity. It’s fun, without being fucking silly. The world is real. I believe that and have believed that since before I can remember.

Indy gets hurt. He’s a badass, a romantic, a giddy schoolboy, an adventurer all at once. That’s what I love about the character.

His relationship with Marion is the key relationship in any of the films. She’s a strong female character, someone that is Indy’s equal in temperment and ability. She’s a damsel without the distress.

TEMPLE OF DOOM is a different kind of film, going in a completely different direction. It’s a movie of opposites. Willie Scott is the opposite of Marion. The Thugee cult is a completely different baddie than the Nazis. The tone is at once much darker and much campier.

LAST CRUSADE is the most emotional film, without a doubt. It gets a little silly, but I loved it as a kid. I think it was smart making the central relationship in the third film a father/son relationship and not a romantic relationship. Up until CRYSTAL SKULL it felt the most removed from the original RAIDERS.

KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL is a fun movie, it is a good movie, it is Indiana Jones, but it feels more in spirit with LAST CRUSADE than RAIDERS despite the blatant nods and casting from the first film.

This film is very vulnerable to nitpicking, but I’m going to try to avoid that. There are some deep flaws I will mention, but I don’t want to start down the road of picking apart little things. You can do that with damn near any movie and to be honest I didn’t really focus on them when watching so it’d be a bit unfair to think them up now.

The biggest flaw is the script. I actually don’t have a hate-boner for David Koepp like a lot of people do. I think his work on STIR OF ECHOES, DEATH BECOMES HER and JURASSIC PARK was great. I think a lot of the trouble with KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL is that the MacGuffin forces Indy to be almost a complete observer for the last act of the movie. In fact, almost everybody involved in the climax does little besides stand around looking at things happening.

In that respect it feels more like a NATIONAL TREASURE movie. Indy does the figuring out like he’s always done, but there didn’t seem to be any follow-ups to that with action. He finds secret levers and solves riddles, but he doesn’t seem to do much after that.

That’s not to say there aren’t fight scenes. He punches and kicks a lot of Russian assholes in the movie. Ford’s still got the attitude and the moves. The big action set piece in the middle of the film (the jungle truck chase) is fantastic and multi-layered, different levels of action going on with multiple characters. It culminates in adding a new creepy-crawly menace to the series and it’s genuinely great.

My problem isn’t with the action, it’s some of the scriptwork.

There are a few subplots that start and don’t finish. Indy is essentially blacklisted and accused of being a Commie by the US Government at the beginning of the movie and that is completely dropped (and somehow resolved by the end of everything) as the actual adventure begins. It’s a fascinating place to put Indy, actually… blacklisted out of his job and pitted against his own Government or on a quest to prove himself, but none of that is followed through on.

I loved seeing Marion again and it was clear Karen Allen was having a blast being back. But other than a few “hey, remember these lines?” moments Marion as a character is not in the movie. If you don’t like what they did to Sallah or Marcus Brody in LAST CRUSADE I think you’ll be livid at how Marion is portrayed. She’s no longer a woman of action.

She has one moment in the film, behind the wheel of a truck, where she does something she isn’t told to do and yes, it’s a good moment, but it’s one instance in the film. For the entire second half of the movie she’s there to make googly eyes at Indy and be part of the background.

John Hurt (not Abner Ravenwood, by the way) is basically an insane colleague of Dr. Jones and I really liked his work here. In the hands of a lesser actor, the role would have been laughable… He’s a professor who Indy went to school with who first discovered the secret of the Crystal Skull, but its power drove him mad. He speaks simplistically and repeats riddles over and over again that Indy uses to follow in his footsteps.

Ray Winstone is a great addition as a character type, but at the end of the day his character is kind of useless in the film. I love Winstone's voice and character type, but I don't think he was used nearly enough in the film. Cate Blanchett isn't as overboard as she appears in the trailers, but I wouldn't say she's a particularly strong villain either. She's more Donovan than Mola Ram or Belloq. She's effective, but not all that exciting.

I might get laughed at for this, but I think Shia LaBeouf’s character, Mutt Williams, was probably the most consistent and worthwhile of the non-Indy characters in the film. He’s one of Indy’s best sidekicks, actually (outside of RAIDERS Brody and Sallah). He’s a good foil, but there’s a depth to him that was missing in the sequels, although I would argue Short Round’s importance in TEMPLE OF DOOM if you want to get in a geek fight.

John Williams… even with some of the films he’s scored that I’m no fan of, his music has always been strong. And I love hearing Marion’s theme coming out of theater speakers again. And the Raiders March. But I have to say… maybe I’m just overwhelmed by the experience and still need to sort it out in my head, but I can’t for the life of me think of any new cues in the film.

I recognized individual themes from RAIDERS and LAST CRUSADE, but I’ll be damned if I can remember hearing any unique and memorable CRYSTAL SKULL themes. Maybe with the Russians… but it didn’t stand out for me and that makes me a little sad.

All the Indy movies have very recognizable music. I love the scores to both TEMPLE OF DOOM and LAST CRUSADE and even though they reuse themes from the brilliant RAIDERS score, they each had their unique identity. On first watch, I didn’t recognize any singular identity to KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL. The score instead played like a greatest hits of the previous films.

I know, it feels like I’m doing nothing but bag on the movie. It’s difficult to write about the positive aspects because I’d like to keep as much a surprise as I can. There’s a fantastic moment involving Indy’s fear of snakes that really had me completely turned back into a kid again. Harrison Ford’s mannerisms, the editing, reactions… all felt classic Indiana Jones. There's also a note-perfect nod to the Ark in the warehouse sequence and a good tribute to Denholm Elliott in the school hallways.

KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL is very much an Indiana Jones movie and it’s a really hard movie to dislike. Everybody is having a ton of fun and it is really infectious. The film has its weaknesses, though. You might end up disagreeing with me on them, but they stood out to me.

A buddy of mine said he thought the film was like watching Lucas and Spielberg fight back and forth. There are moments clearly Spielberg (usually the less goofy stuff) and then moments clearly Lucas (Shia's Tarzan vine swing with the CG monkey army for instance... and that's only a slight exaggeration, believe it or not). But hell, I even liked the goofy stuff. That's not what has me at odds with the flick, it all goes back to the writing. It felt like Koepp needed another couple of drafts before things just stopped happening and were motivated by the characters or plot.

I am looking forward to seeing it again and can’t wait to see how it plays upon the second viewing. Will my gripes be assuaged? Will they be emboldened? I don’t know. I do know that if they want to continue pumping out these films, I’m game. I might not fully love this film, but I did enjoy it. It’s not perfect, but it ain’t bad either.

-Quint
quint@aintitcool.com







    + Expand All

    Readers Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:26:39 PM CDT

    first

    by larrythecableguy

  • May 18, 2008 7:27:57 PM CDT

    Second

    by mrfan

  • May 18, 2008 7:29:00 PM CDT

    Call him Dr. Jones, Quint!

    by stereotypical evil archer

  • May 18, 2008 7:29:23 PM CDT

    I'll be there

    by cpt. arnoldo

    at the midnight show. I work at the movie theatre til 12 anyway, so I might just stick around. Color me fucking excited, despite all the nasty comments Quint points out.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:32:18 PM CDT

    Also, count me in...

    by mrfan

    as to still excited about seeing this. I just want a fun time at the movies. I think this is just one of the movies that will do that this summer.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:32:37 PM CDT

    i'll go see it, begrudingly

    by magic rat

    I'm not expecting much. Harrison Ford look ancient in the trailers, plus, honestly, he's not that good of an actor anyway. What's the last good movie he was in?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:33:45 PM CDT

    Quint and the Positive Lukewarm Review

    by chrth

    I can't wait to see where Mori falls on this film...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:33:49 PM CDT

    Shouldn't we all start bashing Jar Jar now?

    by keeper of chimps

    How's everyone's childhood doing?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:34:34 PM CDT

    Can't wait to see this, just can't wait!!

    by ecthelion

  • May 18, 2008 7:36:41 PM CDT

    The 3rd best sequel?

    by bobo_vision

    There only were 3 sequels? Thats the same as saying its the worst of the four movies. I can understand how that isn't necessarily bad, since the first 3 are exceptional movies to live up to, but still. Its like telling a kid with four brothers that he's the fifth smartest son.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:37:04 PM CDT

    WOW

    by lashlarue

    An honest review.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:37:16 PM CDT

    Temple of Doom gets better with each viewing.

    by stereotypical evil archer

    I used to think of it as a throwaway, but it really shows the extremes that Indy must go through and learn from before he's mature enough to deal with the Ark, or the Grail...or Mayan Skulls.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:38:58 PM CDT

    Actually Skull is the 2nd sequel, Doom was a prequel.

    by stereotypical evil archer

  • Think about it- Temple has zero archeology scenes in it- you Bozo's like it cause we were all around the same age as Short ROund when it came out

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:41:23 PM CDT

    I am excited about this film again!

    by ashesofdonnie

    Basing it on the previews, the film looked bland, but both Harry and Quint's reviews have given me hope. yeah, we all know its not gonna surpass the originals but I'm content that it will be another good chapter to the adventures. Long Live Dr. Jones!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:41:44 PM CDT

    TOD is still the best Indiana Jones movie

    by magic rat

    non-stop action pretty much all the way through. Raiders has good scenes at the beginning and end, but lags in the middle. Last Crusade was a comedy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:42:47 PM CDT

    If it's closest to Last Crusade in spirit...

    by epitone

    ...then that puts a big smile on my face because I freaking love that movie more than life itself. I can admit that Raiders may be a better movie, but I've watched Crusade a million more times because it's so much fun.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:43:14 PM CDT

    thinking about it

    by magic rat

    if you spliced all three films you'd get one really awesome one. Take the beginning of Raiders, the middle of Temple of Doom and the end of Last Crusade and you'd have one awesome Indiana Jones movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:43:41 PM CDT

    Moriarty and the Last Skull Raider of Doom

    by stereotypical evil archer

  • May 18, 2008 7:44:30 PM CDT

    I agree: ToD does get better...

    by pirateemery

    I just rewatched it last night and I actually enjoyed it a lot.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:44:41 PM CDT

    as a kid, i always hated that dionner scene from Temple of Doom

    by ashesofdonnie

    and the Thugee cult, shit creeped me out when you are 4/5 years old.
    but even as a kid I hated Kate Capshaw's character.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:44:57 PM CDT

    Where's Moriarty's review!

    by stereotypical evil archer

    Hopefully he doesn't drone on about the script and writes about the movie!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:45:15 PM CDT

    What's this about....

    by herb west

    CGI monkeys and Suburb Shia swinging with them?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:45:30 PM CDT

    You're right, Jugdish

    by bobo_vision

    Temple of doom needed more archeology. Indy should have done some carbon dating, dusted off some fossils, some digging, trips to the museum - that sort of thing. You're so on point.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:46:49 PM CDT

    Darabont's script

    by thexeno

    I really wonder what Darabont's Indy would have been compared what they ran with here.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:47:43 PM CDT

    Yeah it will proballly be like Rocky,Rambo and Die Hard.

    by redfive!

    A Good movie and fun to see the character do his thing,but nothing original...and probally didnt need to be made either.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:48:44 PM CDT

    John Williams is god.

    by silverglade

  • May 18, 2008 7:49:22 PM CDT

    Thanks Quint

    by i own you

    I think one thing a reader of this site needs to understand is that Harry has a child-like wonder over most properties he sees. It's not a fault, it's his sandbox after all.

    I like the site for reviews from you and Drew, you both balance it out. You allow us to do a rotten tomatoes or meta critic in our heads as we get your impressions.

    SO thank you for the honest review. I'll keep it in mind as I plan to watch the film.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:53:34 PM CDT

    Reviews on RT

    by jackinnyc

    Are pretty positive so far. So I guess that is encouraging. I would have seen it anyway. No matter what.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:53:55 PM CDT

    Watching TLC right now.

    by quigonnjin&tonic

    How anyone can knock that movie is beyond me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:56:41 PM CDT

    Archaeology in TOD

    by chrth

    I think the point was there's a lack of scholarly problem-solving like there was in Raiders and TLC. That was actually the best part of TLC, the following of the clues. Raiders was good too, especially with the staff and the map room. TOD didn't really have much of that nature.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:56:49 PM CDT

    Allison Doody = Hot

    by quigonnjin&tonic

    Even if she was a Nazi bitch.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:56:52 PM CDT

    Ebert liked it.

    by jimmay

    That counts for something.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 7:57:09 PM CDT

    QuiGonnJin&Tonic

    by herb west

    Yeah, it did have it's moments. Even the haters have to admit that Connery was spot on perfect. I totally bought that he was "the professor that the students hoped they didn't get."

    Reply to Talkback

  • They never brought Willy back or Short Round for the crusade or for this new one- its as if it never existed..Its cause the film really had no Archeology stuff and it really doesn't fit with the other 2....Makes me wonder what I would have thought of Return of theJedi if I saw that as a man in my late 20's instead of having seen it as a little 8 year old kid and loving it- if I were in my late 20's and saw TOD after loving Raiders- I'd be pissd

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:00:05 PM CDT

    Quint, don't feel bad

    by aversiontherapy2

    Harry has a history of histrionic reviews, none of us trust them, we read yours and Moriarty's for the facts.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:01:31 PM CDT

    It's not that the Last Crusade is a bad film

    by chrth

    It just seems like some of the characters are sacrificed for the sake of a joke, especially Brody. If Raiders had never happened, Last Crusade would be a great film. But based on what was established in Raiders, it's just a very good one.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:04:12 PM CDT

    Return of the Jedi is a fantastic film ...

    by chrth

    if you ignore the parts involving Han Solo and focus on Luke. Unfortunately, there are a lot more Han Solo fans than Luke fans in the world, so Empire (which is a weak film with a lot of quotable lines) is considered better than Jedi, simply because bounty hunters are cooler than Ewoks.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:04:53 PM CDT

    TOD = a very special episode of Macguyver

    by jugdish

    you know the 2 hour variety type

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:05:32 PM CDT

    Thanks Herb

    by quigonnjin&tonic

    Yes it is not ROTA but damn if it isn't a great film. That's my opinion at least. With all the crap produced today I will take Last Crusade over most films.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:07:26 PM CDT

    Thanks Quint

    by scottindc

    Thank you for a more rounded and insightful review than the one Harry squeezed out.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:08:00 PM CDT

    I loved TOD and LC...

    by kolchak

    because they're all chapters in the adventure. Why are we all expecting Raiders?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:12:17 PM CDT

    Loved Temple and Crusade.

    by mrfan

    Of course nothing can top Raiders. Still, I think they are both wonderful additions to the world of Indiana Jones.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:13:25 PM CDT

    Exactly, now when is Indy going to hit Bluray?

    by quigonnjin&tonic

  • May 18, 2008 8:14:03 PM CDT

    Quint, I'm puzzled

    by shaner jedi

    by this criticism:

    "I think a lot of the trouble with KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL is that the MacGuffin forces Indy to be almost a complete observer for the last act of the movie. In fact, almost everybody involved in the climax does little besides stand around looking at things happening."

    Do you remember the climax of Raiders?

    Hell, they didn't even WATCH it happen.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:14:22 PM CDT

    Giddy as a school boy!

    by keeper of chimps

    I wasn't excited at all about this until now.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:16:59 PM CDT

    Spielberg the less goofy

    by thunderbolt ross

    Sure, sure, he never does anything goofy ...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:18:30 PM CDT

    kolchak, mrfan

    by herb west

    Yes, they are all classic movies in their own way and it is one of those rare franchises in that all 3 chapters can be watched in any order and still appreciated. Honestly, if KOTCS is as good as Crusade, I'll be happy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:18:46 PM CDT

    "the MacGuffin forces Indy to be almost a complete observer for

    by junior frenger

    "...In fact, almost everybody involved in the climax does little besides stand around looking at things happening." Uhhh... yeah. Quint kind of like the ending to Raiders where Indy and marion were tied to a pole while the nzai's STOOD AROUND and were melted.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:20:07 PM CDT

    Shaner

    by quint

    I understand your point and even talked about that exact thing with friends after the movie. It's so much that he's an observer for the finale, but the entire third act. That's like if Indy just watched the trucks take the ark to the boat and then watched them unload it and do the ritual. I think you'll understand my point a bit better when you see the film. I don't want to say much more about it so I don't spoil anything, but it's a little more than Indy being tied up for the climax like in Raiders.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:21:07 PM CDT

    should read:

    by quint

    "It's not so much"

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:23:57 PM CDT

    True Quint

    by shaner jedi

    you did say the third act even in your critique.

    I can't wait to see it.

    BTW, who said this film was as good as Raiders? Harry loved it but didn't say that.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:25:55 PM CDT

    The only thing I'm afraid of now....

    by herb west

    is "watching Lucas and Spielberg fight back and forth." I think we all expected it, but I have a feeling that Quint was being really generous and polite about it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:27:03 PM CDT

    But is Indy recruited for the Avengers project

    by chrth

    after the credits?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:27:24 PM CDT

    In short,

    by buck_turgidson

    It didn't rape your childhood, but it may have engaged in some inappropriate touching.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:27:51 PM CDT

    Quint

    by herb west

    Can you tell us any more about the CGI monkeys? Is it really as bad as it sounds?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:28:44 PM CDT

    great review

    by kungfuhustler84

    focused, and detailed. Harry's review was ridiculously lacking in any real useful information at all. Just a pointless love fest from somebody who already adored the movie months before seeing it. Harry actually made me not want to see it but this review has me excited for another Indy movie, flaws and all.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:29:53 PM CDT

    Herb West

    by shaner jedi

    The only thing I'm afraid of now is "watching Lucas and Spielberg fight back and forth."


    I think that depends.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:30:50 PM CDT

    herb

    by quint

    It's... damn silly, but at that point in the movie I kind of dug it. The moment really is bug-fuck ridiculous, but it's a fun one nonetheless.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:31:56 PM CDT

    Wait a second Quint

    by shaner jedi

    are we talking Jumanji-monkey silly or not that bad?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:33:23 PM CDT

    no

    by quint

    not that bad... but very, very, very silly

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:33:28 PM CDT

    Oh, Ebert. You slay me!

    by kolchak

    "Not many of the audience members will be as logical as I am, and wonder who went to the trouble of building parallell roads in a rain forest."

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:34:20 PM CDT

    Quint hated it, so we will love it

    by razorback

    Thanks for the Lucas-raped-my-childhood review.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:36:22 PM CDT

    BRING BACK SHORT ROUND!!!

    by kal reeve

    Him and Indy were a dynamite team and possessed a powerful father/son bond. I want to see an older Short Round on a great adventure with Indy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:38:16 PM CDT

    I bet if Dr. Jones made a metal suit and....

    by mr. profit

    Ripped off the end of Robocop 2 the way Iron Man did, every review would be sucking its dick the was they inexplicably did Iron Man. Iron man was just OK yet this site OD'ed with praise. Why the double standard? I hate how people feel like Speilberg and Lucas owe them something. Its just a movie. If its good its good. No one expects to go into a film and have their life change unless they are fucking crazy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:39:04 PM CDT

    Goofy

    by fineus fog

    I watched Last Crusade again on the weekend and fuck me if it wasnt completely goofy - but thats what I love about these films and the best news is that the ultra cheesy punching sounds are back in - rather than the gay rape grunting of The Bourne Series.

    Roll on Thursday night (when I will be seeing it)

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:39:22 PM CDT

    Razorback

    by shaner jedi

    does every person need to absolutely love a film in order not to hate it?

    I really enjoy Temple of Doom because it's so different from Raiders. I don't love it, but that's not hate.

    Some films are just thrilling and fun.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:40:52 PM CDT

    Crusade not In same league ...

    by dr. temple of doom

    Using Raiders as the standard, Crusade just doesn't hold up well to me as an Indiana Jones Film. There is too much comedy, not enough mounting obstacles and derring do.The action sequences are soft and pale in comparison.
    I hope the reviewers tell us where they think Crystal Skull ranks.( no pun intended) The tank chase is a good try but falls short when compared to the scene it mimics (Raiders "yet unsurpassed" truck chase.)

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:43:59 PM CDT

    Here's the key to this movie . . .

    by lavaboat

    You can't approach a movie like this as a self-conscious experience. If you do then the gears of scrutiny will already be in full swing before the curtain parts. Try to forget that you are about a watch something that has been "made". Try to forget that you're supposed to have an opinion about this. In other words, leave "yourself" at the door. Let the film wash over you. Give it a chance to be magical. You'll thank me later.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:45:47 PM CDT

    Quint you are a bigger better person for this review

    by industrykiller!

    and I would personally like to say THANK YOU. You might not want to hear it from me, but given everything going on with this film right now it took balls writing this, an even handed account. I love how they are already saying you "hated" the film, I swear some of the people on this site are incapable of hearing anything that doesn't jibe with what they want. Don't worry about it, as always, time will quell the hyperbole and everyone will come around.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:46:04 PM CDT

    So what exactly did they do to Brody?

    by bah

    Seriously, I've heard this a lot, but I just rewatched Raiders, and I don't know where the hard-ons for Brody come from. He's got about five lines, none of them critical except to fill in Indy's background. I know, there's the line about how 5 (or is it 15) years ago, he'd have done it himself, and people took that to mean he used to be much like Indy. But this time, I took that line as BS, completely in character with the Brody of Crusade, the one who's bragging about his riding ability as he's sideways on his horse. Crusade fleshed out Brody, but it didn't destroy anything that had been given previously.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:47:26 PM CDT

    How silly really???

    by blazeoflglory

    Is it any more goofier than the feast in Temple of Doom or the monkey in Raiders giving the nazi sulute? It would be useful for comparison sakes becuase the other movies have some silly moments (that we love). I just hope it doesn't look silly CGI-wise. That is all I really care about.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:49:34 PM CDT

    Quint hates Lucas and so he hates Indy 4

    by razorback

    I am just creating these hyperbolic titles to demonstrate how people react to blurbs over the whole of the message.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:49:53 PM CDT

    Temple of Doom was goofy...

    by mr. profit

    And Kate Capshaw screamed the whole way through. But for a film made for 28 million the action is top notch. I enjoyed it as a kid, and I still laugh at it now. As far as the series goes Raiders is 1 and Doom is my 2nd fave. I didn't really care for part 3. Everyone loves it but to me it was one of those see it once, appreciate it, but rarely watch again type deals. People are just hating part 4 because they feel like they have to hate Lucas for "raping" them with those mediocre star wars prequels.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:53:25 PM CDT

    bah

    by herb west

    Yeah, and as someone pointed out in another talkback, Crusade Brody was meant to show that there is no other archaeologist on earth like Indy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:56:16 PM CDT

    Quint hates Harry

    by razorback

    And he poops green.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:56:31 PM CDT

    Temple of Doom march theme is one of my favorites

    by xannibal

    Sometimes I watch the end credits just to hear it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 8:56:32 PM CDT

    Raiders

    by shaner jedi

    is such a great film because it can harken back to those films before without having the wink-wink and flat-out steals from those movies.

    Plus, it is tonally consistent throughout.

    The perfect popcorn movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:03:50 PM CDT

    Here's the thing for me

    by xannibal

    It's like "Can Speilberg reteam with Lucas and make an action move in the CGI era?" If the answer is "no", then it's a major disappointment for me. Please don't tell me that Speilberg/Lucas don't have access to the best writers available - is the answer then that THEY made the wrong choice? (We already know Lucas can't recreate the original Star Wars magic) I don't want to hear that either, because face it haters - you WANT this movie to rock - bitch as much as you want, but you really do. If it doesn't, have the Michael Bays/Stephen Sommers of the world won because our childhood idol film-makers can no longer knock it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:03:51 PM CDT

    Shaner Jedi

    by herb west

    You're right, and those were the great days that when you saw someone sliding under a speeding truck, you knew it was a real mother fucker doing it. Those are things that we will never see again.

    Reply to Talkback

  • ... because he's living the life they've wanted since they were kids.Duh!It's plain jealousy and easy psychology, really. All of these lame talkbackers wanted to meet Steven Speilburg and George Lucas. They all wanted to be in a Transformers movie and be in an Indiana Jones movie with Harrison Ford.The fact that Shia gets to do it and their lazy, WOW-playing fat-ass's don't, well, it drives them into fits of petty jealousy.Seriously, Shia is funny and talented. He carried the Transformer's flick and gave it heart. He made Disturbia more than the latest crappy teen horror movie. He's got that affable everyman quality like a young Richard Dreyfus or Tom Hanks.So of course all of these fat-asses who work at Hollywood Video for $6.00 / hr are going to hate him. He's living the life they want!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:13:04 PM CDT

    Temple of Doom

    by loogenhausen

    Best Indy movie IMHO. The suspension bridge scene is the single best set piece in the entire trilogy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:15:29 PM CDT

    Great review

    by darth thoth

    I feel you Quint. I can't wait to see this flick and see how your sentiments match up to my thoughts on the film. Peace.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:22:18 PM CDT

    Mutt Williams = The New Jar Jar

    by that 70s venom

    Hahahahahaha... I'm totally kidding. All you Shia-haters... I don't understand you people at all. Shia is a good actor. So shut the fuck up please. You're just jealous that he is in all these cool movies and you're not.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:22:20 PM CDT

    assuaged? emboldened?

    by batzilla

    Thats what I always ask myself. Oh brother.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:27:19 PM CDT

    Saw it this morning in Philadelphia

    by slone13

    And I can't wait to see it again on Thursday. It was so much fun to have Indy back in action that I think I was willing to let some of the issues that Quint mentions slide.

    I think Quint's being a little overly dramatic in regards to how Marion's character is treated. (It's so great to see her again, I just wish she'd shown up sooner.) He's right about Winstone though, his character is ultimately pretty useless.

    If you have a problem with some of the crazier "over-the-top" Indy scenes (the raft/parachute or the mine cart track jump kind of thing) there's a few scenes in Crystal Skull that might bother you, but I love that stuff. SPOILER ALERT: When Indy flies about a half a mile in a refrigerator after a nuclear blast, it's priceless.

    The final scene is really fun. And for one split second it looked like Lucas and Spielberg were going to go and do the one thing I didn't want to see, some sort of passing of the baton from Indy to Mutt. And it nearly happens. They want you to think that's what you're about to witness, but then they turn it around instead. As if to mock the idea that such a scenario could have ever even been considered. And I think it only confirms that Lucas was totally taking the piss when he was talking about Mutt being the lead in any potential Indy 5.

    Quint's also right about how it feels like an Indy movie. Ford's having a great time with Jones again and it shows. It was a great time.


    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:28:39 PM CDT

    Temple Of Doom FUCKING OWNS YOUR SOUL

    by that 70s venom

    ToD is a great fucking film. And yes I totally agree with loogenhausen... the bridge scene is one of my favorite film scenes of all time. Perfectly executed in every way. Although... Mola Ram did kinda die like a fuckin punk, lol. He should've gone down in a hardcore fashion. I think Samuel L. Jackson saw that scene and then he looked at George Lucas and said "Yo, homie, I do NOT wanna die like that punk in Revenge of the Sith." lol... seriously... his death should've been more dramatic, but that is like the only flaw in that whole movie, if you can even call it a flaw at all. The stone flies into the air and he tries to catch it with one hand and Indy catches it instead and then... for some retarded as fuck reason... Mola Ram reaches out with his other hand (the one he is using to hold onto the rope with) and he basically commits suicide like a little bitch, while Indy has a stone in one hand and he is holding on to the rope with the other. They could've at least had Mola Ram punch Indy a few more times and then have Indy shove the flaming Shankara stone into Mola Ram's chest, right into his heart (metaphorically it would be cool since Mola Ram is down with ripping mother fuckers' hearts out). That would've been perfect. Seriously guys pop your Temple of Doom DVDs in and watch the scene again where Mola Ram dies... he goes out like a complete bitch... a death totally unfitting for the greatest Indiana Jones villain in the whole trilogy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:30:09 PM CDT

    Waiting for the two fat kids

    by dragulf

    chest bumping!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:30:11 PM CDT

    Devin Faraci must be the most miserable man alive...

    by jackislost

    Seriously, read his review on CHUD. He's just such a negative, nasty pudge of excrement. Even though Harry and the gang may be sort of full of shit sometimes, at least I actually believe they give these things a fair shake. Was there any doubt that CHUD scumbag would hate this? And it's like that for everything. He doesn't need to see THE DARK KNIGHT to write his review b/c he's already decided he hates it. I almost pity that poor loser...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:31:36 PM CDT

    Cate Blanchett

    by series7

    God I think she is terrible. Personally I enjoy Shia on screen more then her, he is a much better looking female then she is. Shit I just realized that I have to watch all three episodes this week. Meh maybe I'll just do like Rambo and watch the first one right before I see the new one. Fucking work, I need to get paid to sit around and watch movies. Everyone at work thinks I am crazy for watching a movie a day.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:38:55 PM CDT

    That 70s Venom, I agree...

    by jarjarsjockstrap

    They've been playing the hell out of the original trilogy the past couple weekends (USA, SCIFI), and I'll be damned if TOD doesn't totally rock. "Mola Ram! Prepare to meet Kali ... in HELL!" Is one of the single-greatest moments in Indy history, period. Short Round kicking Mola Ram's goons in the cajones -- priceless. The alligators eating robs, sans bodies -- genius. Man, Indy rocks.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:39:46 PM CDT

    "Hang on lady, we going for a ride..."

    by loogenhausen

    He no nuts...he's crazy!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:40:44 PM CDT

    a script doesn't matter to Lucas

    by guerillakarma

    all about the visual effects and money.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:42:12 PM CDT

    JackIsLost...

    by troutmaskreplicant

    Pfft. You do know that the only reason people read CHUD is for the amusing misanthropy and the cynical views on the movie business? You only read that CHUD review because you knew you'd hate it. Talk about double standards...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:45:15 PM CDT

    I think Quint meant to say...

    by slicer

    the third best film. Not the third best sequel.
    So, it would be ROTLA, TOD, KOTCS then TLC.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:45:26 PM CDT

    Actually Devins review is easily the most concise so far

    by industrykiller!

    It hits every point, makes clear concise arguments, addresses specific moments from the film as well as questions of tone and atmosphere. If you like Harry's review and dislike Gavins then its only because it's what you wanted to hear. I dare you to show me a better written review.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:47:03 PM CDT

    slicer

    by quint

    nope, at least not after my first viewing. I'd put it after LC right now. That might change after repeated viewings, but I did mean third best sequel.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:49:41 PM CDT

    Quint shows why this generation has no heart.

    by lordenigma

    Harry took it to you, boy. Get a heart.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:52:14 PM CDT

    I am so glad that George Lucas...

    by keeper of chimps

    doesn't write to please you whiney fuckers. How long before you all auto-erotic asphyxiate yourselves?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:54:18 PM CDT

    Yeah, CHUD sucks...

    by acorvey25

    Devin's "take" on the film was laughable.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:56:06 PM CDT

    Lot of miserable bastards in TBs here too...

    by jackislost

    No surprise. Actually, Ebert's review, in terms of pure writing quality, is by far the best so far. The point he makes about comparing which pound of sausage tastes the best...priceless.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 9:56:42 PM CDT

    so Shia plays the son of Remo?

    by reprobus

    I don't get all the Shia hate either. My only problem with him is that he seems a little generic, bringing the same thing to every movie so far. Hopefully that changes once he outgrows the roles he's been getting a bit. As it is, you coulda told me the kid in Forbidden Kingdom was Shia and I wouldn't have doubted it at all, at least until he pulled out the kung-fu.

    Anyways, I loved the tonal changes of ToD. Even at ten years old I was jazzed to hear it had a darker story. And what really freaked me out was that the evil priest guy totally reminded me of my dad. The only sour part of ToD for me was being a prequel. Whenever I hear Indy say, in Raiders, "i don't believe in that hocus-pocus mumbo-jumbo", it doesn't add up with the glowing rocks, fingers-to-the-heart stuff that he's "already" witnessed. But...minor stuff! can't wait for the 22nd.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:04:17 PM CDT

    Explain Acorvey

    by industrykiller!

    Seriously, explain how Devins review is laughable. It's inarguably the most in depth review so far.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:04:19 PM CDT

    Actually Faraci's review is only slightly more negative than Qui

    by troutmaskreplicant

    But he seems to be more unpopular than George Lucas...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:05:51 PM CDT

    Than Qui? Quint Obviously...

    by troutmaskreplicant

    At least I spelled Faraci right...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:07:36 PM CDT

    Devin's review...

    by acorvey25

    I just hate when critics like Devin say a film is "deeply flawed" but fail to offer up any concrete reasons why. His whole review is just a bunch of vague criticisms written with a slight air of scum-bag superiority (yes, I stole that line from "The Departed.") How the fuck does he know Spielberg was "bored" and only "mildly engaged" while directing the film? Bullshit...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:08:45 PM CDT

    Honestly, KOTCS was my 2nd favorite.

    by novaman5000

    I happened to like last crusade the best, then crystal skull, then ark, then temple (and i liked temple, i just liked it least out of the 4). People might think im crazy for putting crusade above ark, but it just felt bigger, more epic, and had a far more satisfying conclusion than the original film. There were alot of great moments in skull. This one was not as campy as temple, which was nice. Great set pieces- I thought the jungle chase was really fantastic. Most importantly, it FELT like an indy movie. This movie is going to make an outrageous amount of money this weekend and I think, for the most part, it deserves it.
    As for music, there are definitely some new cues that were reminiscent of Last Crusade, which was great.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:08:47 PM CDT

    weekend almost over and still no rip thread for elder

    by bacci40

    ya...cuz we gotta get in all the reviews for indy...even though it is a critic proof movie and will make a gazillion dollars...will elder will come back and haunt you all

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:09:57 PM CDT

    Faraci doesn't like movies

    by messi

    well maybe he just like movies with humans and human emotions, which is lame. i rather see fun.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:10:26 PM CDT

    Nice Review

    by bearded clam

    I never post, but i particularly thought this was a good review. I mean i get it, its an okay movie, take it for what it is and have a good time, but maybe its not what it could have been, however its going to be fun. i think sometime we don't give these guy credit for being being pretty good at what they do. nice review, i will be seeing this.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:12:05 PM CDT

    They should have used a different object.

    by greenstyle92

    The Crystal Skulls are very obviously faked. At least the Ark and holy grail may have been real, (slim chances, but still.) and the stones are sort of an exaggeration of a real thing...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:13:49 PM CDT

    Also...

    by acorvey25

    Devin rambles on and on about the action being "flat" which proves beyond a reasonable doubt that he has no idea what he's talking about. Spielberg's action directing has never been "flat." Even in a mediocre film like "War of the Worlds" the action was exhilarating.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:14:05 PM CDT

    The REAL problem with Temple of Doom...

    by jackislost

    is Kate Capshaw. She is so annoying and really makes you want Karen Allen back. Other than that, it's a pretty good movie but Kate has so much screentime, that it takes the air out of the movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:16:45 PM CDT

    Actually, I'd bet the goofy parts are Spielberg's

    by drompter

    Lucas is darker than people give him credit for, and Spielberg is goofier than people is willing to admit.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:21:39 PM CDT

    And Spielberg knew it!

    by greenstyle92

    Story goes that Spielberg and Ford did not want to use the crystal skulls, but Lucas had a hard on for them and kept forcing them down their throats. Finally Spielberg and Ford relented.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:25:07 PM CDT

    Actually all the crystal skulls are fake

    by industrykiller!

    Or at least so says those nutty scientists and their FACTS. But nice try geniuses. Not that their existence has any bearing on the film.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:29:24 PM CDT

    Lucas was going thru his divorce

    by shaner jedi

    when they were developing TOD so that might be why it's so dark and the damsel is so annoying. It probably came from his heart.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:37:03 PM CDT

    I know the crystal skulls exist.

    by greenstyle92

    Duh. But they were all made in the late 19th/early 20th century and there was a lot of lying/scamming. They're not meso-american. There's no legend about re-uniting them. They're bullshit. the earlier, smaller ones were beads that go carved, the later ones were carved with jeweler's tools. Some chick said her dad found one in an ancient temple, turns out he bought it at sotherby's.

    Seriously, google "Crystal Skull Fraud." Oops, but I may have accidentally misworded my original post to make it appear I didn't think they existed, so I will never have talkback credibility again.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:39:15 PM CDT

    I'm just saying they are a particularly sucky object.

    by greenstyle92

    But hell, so were the Shankara stones, which the Skulls sort of remind me of. So the movie itself could still be good.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:40:58 PM CDT

    I love me some Indiana Jones...

    by blackmantis

    ...Raiders is probably my favorite film of all time, but damnit if you couldn't watch TV this weekend without hearing that damn theme song every five seconds. I'm starting to hate it, and I loved that theme song!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:43:05 PM CDT

    Hearts were pulled from chests in Iron Man too.

    by greenstyle92

    I don't get it: In one scene, Tony Stark wants to change Stark Industries from Weapons manufacture to building Arc Generators and Obidiah thinks that's stupid. Later, Obidiah is desperate for cash and he wants to study Tony's little arc generator to start movie the company in that direction. And tony says, "Nope! This stays with me!" The hell? the only other Arc is 30 years old! they need to look at the new model to see where to go next. So Tony suddenly doesn't care about Arc generators, or his company, or helping people with alternative energy any more? Why the change?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:45:49 PM CDT

    Hmm, talk back's getting slow.

    by greenstyle92

    For a second I thought Moriarty's review finally went live. No, just Sunday night slump. And Harry's is still active...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:46:42 PM CDT

    Bullshit, Quint

    by atticus finch

    If you didn't notice any new music cues from KotCS, you must have had cum in your ears. I've listened to the soundtrack twice now, and "Call of the Crystal" and "The Adventures of Mutt", and "Irina's Theme" are welcome masterpieces to the Williams legacy, and those are just off the top of my head. Your hate for Lucas only allows you to begrudgingly say KotCS is pretty good, whcih must mean it is actually great. Its funny how you say you don't want to nitpick the film, then go on to do exactly that. You are so transparent it isn't funny. Go read Harry's review and be schooled on what it is like to go to the movies to lose yourself in fun and adventure for two hours instead of carrying around some half-baked "hatred" for Lucas that probably stems more from your own self-loathing than for anything Lucas ever did.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:49:56 PM CDT

    ughhh so this is a negative review because he...

    by bmacsmith

    didnt suck its knob like Harry did? i thought it was pretty positive, but evenhanded. good job

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:51:25 PM CDT

    temple was great for being so dark. fuck off.

    by bmacsmith

  • May 18, 2008 10:54:50 PM CDT

    Fair enough, but...

    by greenstyle92

    that still doesn't jive with his earlier stated goal of "looking back into Arc reactor technology." I still think the two scenes are incompatible because both Stark and Obidiah flipped positions. But hey, guess tony isn't thinking clearly and Obidiah changed his mind when he became desperate for cash...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:57:40 PM CDT

    atticus

    by quint

    If you actually read the review, instead of reading the parts you want to read in order to bolster your theory that I hate Lucas, you'll see that I mention that it didn't jump out to me and that upon a second viewing, when I'm not bombarded with everything at once, I might pick them out. I think you'd have to admit that listening to a soundtrack and hearing that score in a film are two completely different experiences. I asked five different people who were also at the screening and not one could remember any new music, let alone hum it. Of course there are new cues there, there have to be, but that's not how it came off to me. Every time I heard the score (and paid attention to it during the film) it was either the Raiders March or a cue from Last Crusade.I expect on the second viewing I'll pay closer attention to the score. And I don't need to get "schooled" by anybody. This is my opinion. I've seen the movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 10:58:55 PM CDT

    Indy a Commie?

    by markwhittington

    I think that's a stretch, even in the bad old days of HUAC days (Tail Gunner Joe by the time of the movie was busily drinking himself to death, having self destructed during the Army Hearings.) One would have thought that accusations of grave robbing would have been more appropriate and provable.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 11:04:13 PM CDT

    the only reason capshaw was cast in doom was

    by bacci40

    spielburg was bangin her...and no, doom sucked period...here is why..the point of raiders was to recapture the excitement of the old serials...it did that....temple lost that and replaced it with gross out scenes and children in peril...it just wasnt a fun movie...the fun returned in last crusade, basically because of connery...you could tell he was having a blast

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 11:04:33 PM CDT

    Ebert

    by jackinnyc

    said it best... "I can say that if you liked the other Indiana Jones movies, you will like this one, and that if you did not, there is no talking to you."

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 11:06:21 PM CDT

    This movie is ABSOLUTELY perfect

    by proman1984

    Exactly what we wanted and much more than we deserved.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 11:14:04 PM CDT

    Glad to hear that, Proman1984...

    by acorvey25

    My excitement for this film is beyond words.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 11:15:04 PM CDT

    Temple ROCKED, Last Crusade didn't

    by blue meanie

    I'm just hoping that KFTCS isn't another Last Crusade, because I definitely thought that was the weakest of the bunch. I don't have any idea where all these haters of Temple are coming from. Temple of Doom ROCKED HARD; it was maliciously dark and evil, freaky scary (some parts are plain horrifying), great characters (Short Round is one hell of a sidekick) and Mola Ram is one of the great villians in moviedom. Yeah, Indy wasn't solely after "Fortune and Glory", but that's what made it great; he was more a humanist in trying to get the Sankara stone back to the village and free the enslaved children. Plus, it was a totally different environment and plot from Raiders. Last Crusade was simply an inferior rehash of Raiders, and aside from Sean Connery, I was bored, having "been there, done that already". I'm having a bit of trepidation in seeing KOFTCS, as the CG effects will never match the authenticity and danger of old school effects. I wished Lucas and Spielberg went back to old school ways and abandoned the CG. Nothing will ever compare to those "real" effects and stunts of the older movies...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 11:20:09 PM CDT

    Does Marion still drink?

    by i. ratzkywatzky

    RAIDERS was the greatest darkened theater experience of my childhood, and I always thought the element that was missing from the sequels was the hard-drinkin' Howard Hawksian heroine Marion Ravenwood. The main question on my mind since I heard of Marion's return in KOTCS has been "Does she still drink?"

    In RAIDERS we first see her in the iconic drinking contest and her final line (and the final line of the film) refers to getting a drink. I hope they haven't removed this element that was central to her character.

    By the way, in my review of RAIDERS on my BOOZE MOVIES Website, I said that Marion may be the perfect woman. If you want to check out that review, you can find it at http://boozemovies.blogspot.com/2007/07/raiders-of-lost-ark-1981.html

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 11:21:08 PM CDT

    if any Indy was campy it was TLC

    by prossor

    they restorted to slapstick. brody/sallah became retards. TOD shoved its balls down your sockets.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 11:23:12 PM CDT

    Jugdish you ignorant slut

    by prossor

    who watches indiana jones for archeology? Are you a retarded fucking idiot?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 11:25:00 PM CDT

    Indiana Jones and the Waste of $5 for Parking

    by kolchak2

    I have to disagree with Quint and Harry--I just saw a screener and it is a major disappointment. (Very MINOR SPOILER ALERT) From the opening shot of a groundhog crawling from it's hole, you know that Speilberg and Lucas are going for camp. The "plot" was so full of holes, it was painful, and the villains were milktoast. I admit, it's still fun to watch Ford in a Fedora, so see it for that, but LOWER your expectations....and watch Raiders again to think of what could have been.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 11:29:46 PM CDT

    Jesus tap dancing Christ...

    by poeticwarriorii

    A CGI monkey army that TheQueef Tarzan swings away from??? Oh for the love of God, this sounds like complete shit. Was this as stupid as it sounds or is there some kind of information that makes this not retarded?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 11:36:06 PM CDT

    INDIANA JONES AND THE MYSTERY OF KOLCHAK'S MILKTOAST

    by acorvey25

    What the fuck does that even mean? Apparently we've resorted to making up new words for criticism.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 11:42:35 PM CDT

    Has Anyone Read The Chud Review On Rotten Tomatoes?

    by fassbinder79

    That review makes me nervous. Either way I bought my advanced ticket today for an early morning thursday showing. As much as I love Raiders (it is one of the best adventure films ever made) and Crusade (lighter than Raiders and Doom but the character stuff is strong between Indy and his father) - Not a fan of Doom (loved it as a kid but it doesn't hold up and some of it is not only juvenile but pretty racist-despite the coolness of seeing Indy go bad) - I just can't believe from what I've seen (trailers) and read (even many of the positive reviews) that this is going to be good. I'm also getting more than a bit annoyed seeing every single negative comment or review about the film blaming Lucas for the film's flaws. Even the Chud review does this to my dismay.

    Lucas did not direct this movie.

    Spielberg did.

    If you're going to say something good about the film the praise can't only go to spielberg and the negatives then tossed on Lucas.

    And the bottom line is any Indy movie with too much CGI can't be all good. Swinging monkeys? Skulls being used to revive alien bodies?

    That doesn't fly even in the realm of Indy lore. I just can't see this film working. It bums me out. I really miss the way I felt seeing films as kid in the 80's. The last two films that made me feel like that in recent memory were Nolan's BB, The Prestige and The Incredibles. I hope this will be good. But Spielberg has been really letting me down. And Kaminski should not have been DP on this.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 11:43:10 PM CDT

    For all the reviews go here

    by megamonki

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367882/board/flat/106432963

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 11:44:38 PM CDT

    not working

    by megamonki

    go to imdb and go to the boards their should be a thread about all the reviews(good and bad)

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 18, 2008 11:57:38 PM CDT

    TLC was a little too silly. even Raiders was dark.

    by bmacsmith

    it had people's face melting off! LC feels a little different than the other two.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 12:07:43 AM CDT

    JackISLost

    by maui

    Yes, 100% with you on that one. Kate Capshaw was a major negative in TOD. Elsa was the pits too in TLC. No one can touch Karen Black's portrayal of Marion. She is by far the best Indy female lead.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 12:09:13 AM CDT

    KAREN ALLEN

    by maui

    I meant...duhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 12:24:57 AM CDT

    Ivana Spankalot.

    by fa fa fooey

    I'm there.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 12:28:38 AM CDT

    Damn you, George Lucas!

    by motoko kusanagi

    Damn you to hell!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 12:28:46 AM CDT

    I was being sarcastic...

    by bobo_vision

    ...about the lack of archeology in Temple of Doom, sarcasm doesn't always read well. I love TOD. I can't really compare TOD with Raiders because its like apples and oranges to me. They're both great in different ways, but I've watched TOD about ten times more than Raiders, its one of my favourites. I don't really care about the lack of archeology in TOD, because archeology was never really a significant part of the trilogy, but just an excuse to chase the artifacts.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 12:30:36 AM CDT

    Quint, what about that damned refrigerator?

    by vich1

    Stupidest scene ever.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 12:57:10 AM CDT

    ya.. so what was the movie about?

    by sleeptones

  • May 19, 2008 1:00:20 AM CDT

    Lucas's "CG Involvement"?

    by termigoonie

    Guess what? That wasn't George's hand behind the "Tarzan scene." That was all Mr. S. Sorry. Do a little research, and you'll find that it's the case.

    George Lucas made these charaters, he developed the basic (and basically very strong) story, and the flaws I chalk up to the choices made in the direction and the screenplay.

    There are flaws. Lord knows there are flaws. There were flaws in all of the movies, "Raiders" included (weak villain, iffy stuff on the boat [sorry, guys, but it really does drag the plot], poor characterizations from anyone outside the four or five leads ... and it's still a rockin' movie). This movie was bound to have flaws, and I think that's what your whipping boy Mr. Lucas was trying to say a few weeks back.

    It's a movie. And guess what? It's a pretty good one. Better than "Raiders"? Come on, you all know that would be impossible. Better than "Doom"? I don't think so, but that's just because "Doom" was so DIFFERENT. Better than "Crusade"? WAY better than "Crusade," in my book. TONS better. And it puts "National Treasure" and "The Mummy" to shame, rightfully so.

    It's got a whopper of a tale to tell, and it could have used a few more weeks' worth of time, of Spielberg and Kahn sitting back, letting it breathe, then going back to it to see what didn't work. If any film could benefit from a "Special Edition" years down the line, something tells me this is it. (I'd love to see a cut with almost everything intact except "Tarzan" and the scorpion, both of which I thought were weak moments for the movie and weak for Shia.)

    Personally, I loved that it took time to tell the story, to let the audience know what the stakes are. I love that there are a couple of scenes that hearken back to Indy explaining the Ark -- a scene that, today, would read as wildly boring and talky. I just wish the movie had taken a few MORE moments to breathe, actually -- for instance, to give us more bearings in the warehouse (and its location, perhaps); to slow down and take more time with the crawlies (for those who don't know what they are, I won't say); to give Marion and Indy just a few moments longer together; to flesh out Spalko's character a bit more and give her something really sinister instead of "look into its eyes"; to offer up Indy OR Mutt one of those "will she still be with him?" moments that make you know the stakes in THIS QUEST are important. (There are some nice reflective moments, though.)

    But the motorcycle/car chase is absolutely slam-bang terrific, the waterfall sequence superb, the interplay between Indy and Spalko appropriately loathful, the overall tone exactly right.

    It comes out not half-baked at all. Just a little underdone. And the disappointment is the same as an underdone meal by a master chef. You appreciate everything that's gone into it, you genuinely like it, and it's better than anything else you've had all year. But after all you heard, you wish he had just taken a tiny bit more care.

    As for that original comment, though, and the heading -- don't blame George this time. He's the restaurant owner, and he was wandering around the kitchen ... but he wasn't preparing the dish.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 1:04:25 AM CDT

    ...and the Temple of Rap

    by rtdinternational

    Super goofy but kinda smart take on the new film.
    Indiana Jones and the Fortress of Rap. http://tinyurl.com/6fjykb

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 1:27:40 AM CDT

    Bah's Point about Brody

    by wereplatypus

    I agree with his question. What exactly was wrong with Brody in Crusade? Considering that Brody has only has a few exposition scenes in Raiders, I don't get it. They made him a comic fish out of water, which is more than he was, and I thought it was funny as hell . . . My favorite bit of his was Indy's bluff about Brody's competence, followed by his wandering through a crowd asking "Does anyone here speak ancient Greek?" Comedy gold.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 1:38:05 AM CDT

    Quint hates Lucas and despises Spielberg and I have proof.

    by headgeek

    Quint hates Lucas and Spielberg for giving him his favorite movies. He's bitter about this because he hates movies and they made him feel like his hatred for film was questionable. I can prove this because Quint doesn't spend every spare moment searching and watching as many new films as possible. He actually also spends moments he can't spare watching films. That said... the mere fact that Quint prefers JAWS to RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK... well, its a disconnect between Quint and me. I love Jaws... but man... it's RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK for me. JAWS is a much more "real" film - but I prefer the fantasy of RAIDERS... the PULP of it all. And Lucas - he's an easy foil - but the fact is he may be a goofy daffy bastard sometimes... but he's that wacky uncle I've grown up loving - and now I feel he's eccentric and all the more lovable for that.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 1:43:52 AM CDT

    Spielberg works best without big budget

    by prossor

    like in Duel and Jaws. He was razor sharp with those, no sappyness whatsoever. Even Raiders had his goofy shit kicking in for the wide-eyed children.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 1:45:48 AM CDT

    still though...

    by prossor

    I would say Spielberg up to Close Encounters was raw and giving the finger to children audiences. Close Encoutners to Jurassic Park he was at his best with the wonder-spectacle, Shindler to now he's sappy/"serious" phase.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 1:55:23 AM CDT

    TEMPLE OF DOOM is my favorite out of the series

    by mike_d

    LAST CRUSADE was kinda boring. RAIDERS was a great intro to the universe, but was a little bored with it too.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 2:04:18 AM CDT

    Raiders ends with Indy doing nothing

    by david cloverfield

    He fails at stopping a bunch of nazis killing themselves - that's all he accomplishes. So being a bystander is not new for Indy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 2:16:53 AM CDT

    Some people don´t want to like this movie

    by cuervojones

    Sick people.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 2:17:03 AM CDT

    Termigoonie's review

    by dene

    Thanks for that, a very reasonable review.

    I've a feeling I might have similar thoughts. Sounds like they pulled off what was, let's face it, a Herculean task. If it's far from perfect, well in this day and age what is in the movie world? Very little, esp. in the summer blockbuster field.

    'Last Crusade' would have been ripped to shreds if the Internet had been around then. Too many silly jokes -- can you imagine the reaction the to librarian and his date stamper?!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 2:34:21 AM CDT

    Saw it...I agree with Quint

    by jabroni

    The things that are bad have nothing to do with the acting, it's the script and what is being asked of the action. With that said I waked away feeling I would not trash the movie entirely due to a few silly scenes. The ending blew goats for me, but I understood. Quint's mention of the monkey army was #1 bad for me, however there is a heck of a lot of stuff that's pure Indy and I loved it for that.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 3:03:26 AM CDT

    A good sign

    by cuervojones

    CHUD assholes don´t like the movie. That means the movie is good.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 3:32:03 AM CDT

    Well, Quint and Moriarty both seem to like the film..

    by gabba-uk

    despite it flaws and frankly, as their the two best writers on AICN, that good enough for me!! Sold!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 4:00:43 AM CDT

    A CG monkey?

    by diamondjoe

    Ah, the poisonous hand of Lucas. I've almost missed it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 4:02:05 AM CDT

    The Iron Man praise

    by warsinthesun

    There has never been such a mediocre wave of films in all of film history as there is now(1998-present). So of course movies that are good tend to look brilliant.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 4:12:49 AM CDT

    Damn You Michael Bay

    by mcmlxxvi

    Damn You Michael Bay

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 4:35:56 AM CDT

    The light behind Ford's eyes is CGI

    by random dude

  • May 19, 2008 4:42:51 AM CDT

    How could it be on the same level as Raider!!!???

    by filmfunk

    I think you ask too much!
    As long as it's equally as good as the other sequels then What's the Problem? Frickin Hell If Fors Spielberg and the crew don't deliver EXACTLY what everyone want and STILL ''It Aint Raiders!''I'm Glad it aint Raiders! I've seen that 3ooooooo times already, It's a perfect movie and I love Temple Of Doom and Last Cruisade but I want something different from this like aliens and ants and Ray Winston and the continuation of an older relationship b'tween Indy and Marion! and I FUCKIN CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 5:19:03 AM CDT

    Last Crusade was a reash of RAIDERS w/out Marion...

    by mike_d

    ...and his dad being his "sidekick" in it. It had its moments, but TEMPLE OF DOOM was dark, comedic, and a throw-back to the great adventure serials.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 5:40:21 AM CDT

    Temple of Boredoom

    by motoko kusanagi

    That says it all...

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 5:44:51 AM CDT

    "It’s not perfect, but it ain’t bad either. "

    by midnightxpress

    ...so it's just pointless then. Who needs an average Indy movie?

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 5:49:19 AM CDT

    Headgeek

    by knuckleduster

    He won't be so lovable when he replaces Ford with Shia in the next Indy. Hey, maybe we can get rid of Sly and have his kid play the lead in the next Rocky movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 6:14:50 AM CDT

    TLC

    by henrydalton

    Raiders may be the most important film, but Last Crusade is the most enjoyable. There, I said it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 6:20:32 AM CDT

    Thanks for the review

    by happybunni

    When I saw Harry say that he started crying and clapping his hands I knew his 'review' was a bit too involved. Thank you for an actual review.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 9:42:51 AM CDT

    Koepp's screenplay to Carlito's Way was excellent

    by osmosis jones

  • May 19, 2008 9:53:35 AM CDT

    We...are going...

    by osmosis jones

    ...to DIE!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 10:23:18 AM CDT

    Stengah

    by cuervojones

    I did the same thing.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 10:30:05 AM CDT

    Goerge Lucas

    by wereplatypus

    wants Haunted Castles and a Mars Attack for chrissakes. Sure, they're pulpy stories, but not everything translates to a good movie. Mostly, these ideas are turds, and I have rows and rows of straight-to-video crap to prove it, from "10.5" to "Ice Spiders" to "Dyanamite Warrior". You have 100s of millions at your disposal to make a movie, so why on earth do you constantly try to legitimise crap that you loved as a kid? If he spent a little less time secluded at the ranch and a little more time with "the people," he might understand the question.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 10:34:50 AM CDT

    Let's Make

    by wereplatypus

    Indiana Jones and the Moon Warriors of Sector J. Indy can hijack a moon rocket and crash land, then fight off giant moon lizards with his whip. He didn't bother with a space suit, but as the moon has breathable oxygen, that won't matter. He gets kidnapped by a beautfiul tribe of moon women, who tell him of a resistance against the evil Karbah empire, consistin of floating blue heads. Indy whip them all, and discovers his own son, held prisoner at Moon Prison Alpha 3. They fight their way out, and discover an ancient temple built by giant space rats, which fortells of a savior in a fedora who will restore order to the peoples of the moon. . . . yeah, that's a winner.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 10:40:03 AM CDT

    Indy & 'Crystal Skull' > All Summer 2007 films!

    by ccchhhrrriiisssm

    ...and that is the honest truth!

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 11:00:12 AM CDT

    Did you say CGI monkey army?

    by abominable snowcone

    Please, no. Just no. Tell me it doesn't happen.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 11:17:06 AM CDT

    KOTCS rocks.

    by apolo_sputnik

    If you didn't have a BLAST watching the new Indy, then there is something wrong with YOU and NOT with this movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 11:44:53 AM CDT

    Darabont Indy?

    by cloud_86

    It was supposed to have been titled
    "Indiana Jones and the Sword of Arthur"

    hmm makes u wonder..

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 11:46:37 AM CDT

    Stir of Echoes

    by smoke monster loves kate

    whoa, he did that? i remember really liking that one.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 12:27:47 PM CDT

    "No ticket"

    by snapple_ladys_lazy_eye

  • May 19, 2008 12:33:38 PM CDT

    Why Do People Act Like We Knew So Much About Brody?

    by bigtuna

    How is his character crapped on exactly when he did very little in Raiders? He has much more to do in The Last Crusade, and hence you learn much more about him.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 1:28:01 PM CDT

    Quint, your Marion comment is ridiculous

    by slone13

    I'm still confused as to your comment about how Marion's portrayed in the new film.

    What did Marion ever do that was really so amazing in Raiders?

    She would have died at the hands of Toht in her own bar if not for Indy.

    She got her ass kidnapped in Cairo.

    She couldn't escape from Belloq in the tent.

    She got herself thrown into the Well of Souls.

    And nearly taken by the Nazis on the submarine had it not been for Kantanga.

    So I ask again, what exactly did she do in Raiders that was so impressive?? At least in Crystal Skull she's driving the truck during one of the best action scenes ever filmed.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 2:08:45 PM CDT

    Slone13

    by toadkillerdog

    Not to speak for Quint in this matter, but what I think he is referring to is the fact that she never shrank from a situation that put her in danger, nor did she back down from Indy - or anyone else. Yes, she required rescuing, but she never complained that 'Oh, I broke a fingernail' like Willie, nor was she duplicitpus like whatshername in LC. Marion, love her or hate her, evoked Lois Lane from the the 1940's Fleicsher(sp?) cartoons.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 2:31:06 PM CDT

    toadkillerdog

    by slone13

    Marion doesn't shrink from any situation in Crystal Skull or at any point back down from Indy, either. She's just as feisty as she was in Raiders. In fact, her first line of dialogue in the new movie is "Get you lousy hands off me..." a nice nod to her nearly identical line in her bar in Raiders. I love Marion, and still don't see what the hell Quint's talking about.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 2:42:31 PM CDT

    slone

    by quint

    Marion spends 80% of the movie fawning over Indy, like she was the president of his fan club. I love Indy's heartfelt line to her in the back of the truck, I really do... but after he says it she's just goofy. That's the problem I had with her in the movie. You point out all these scenes in Raiders... that are MARION centric scenes. Her trying to escape from Belloq's tent. Her standing up to the Nazis in her bar, despite her being alone. There are no scenes in this new movie where she has a moment to remind us of that character... except for a line they just pulled from Raiders.Nobody's saying it's not great to see Karen Allen back, but if you think the character in Crystal Skull is anything but a shadowed version of the one we know and love from Raiders, then we're just going to disagree on that.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 3:02:13 PM CDT

    So…CHUD stands for Critics Head Up Derrière?

    by jackinnyc

    Based on what I read, it should. What a snide, pretentious, mean spirited review.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 3:04:07 PM CDT

    Guess we're gonna have to disagree, hoss

    by slone13

    Doe eyes aside (and c'mon, she kind of IS the president of the Indy fan club), I just feel that Marion's rather crucial portion of the jungle chase amounted to more than she did in all her scenes from Raiders, where, while nothing like Willie Scott, she still ultimately served as nothing but the damsel in distress, albeit with an attitude.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 3:04:20 PM CDT

    Finally

    by kurutteru yatsu

    Someone on AICN gets down to the business of reviewing the movie without half a page of wanking to wade through first. Thanks Quint.And acorvey25, I think kolchak was going for "milquetoast" (timid, meek, unassertive) but I think he may have been trying to describe them as bland or generic.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 6:50:22 PM CDT

    Dear Numbnuts Nerds

    by brobdingnag

    ToD took place in 1935, carbon dating wasn't invented until 1949.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 7:07:33 PM CDT

    Good For You, Quint.

    by nodiggity

    Thanks for an honest and detailed review, reflecting the enjoyable and not-so-enjoyable parts. I'm sad that Marion was included just as a callback to Raiders.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 19, 2008 8:55:24 PM CDT

    Quint, best review on the site

    by quadrupletree

    ...as usual. Can't wait to see this on Friday and see if my reaction matches yours. Actually your reaction is better than my expectations so it will be an improvement.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2008 3:03:15 AM CDT

    JackinNYC:

    by rev. slappy

    You expected something that wasn't a snide, pretentious, mean spirited review from CHUD? I can't really even read that site anymore, they are such unmitigated assholes. I hate movie sites where the writers seem to take no joy in the movie experience and just take a shit on the creative work of other people who are willing to take the risk or actually making something.

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2008 7:27:57 AM CDT

    Can't wait to see it!

    by ricardomontalkhan

    Great Review Quint!

    hey movie fans check out this new blog on blogspot. it's from a disgruntled tv producer. it's hilarious! it's called thebitterproducer

    Reply to Talkback

  • May 20, 2008 9:15:48 AM CDT

    In Raiders..didn't he just sit and watch at the end as well?

    by knowthyself

    Thats all he did. Watch them open the ark as God proceeded to kill them all.

    Reply to Talkback

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