nathanbentley.com

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull →

It’s been 20 years since we last saw Harrison Ford crack a whip as Indiana Jones, and the Kindom of the Crystal Skull has been eagerly awaited since the announcement that we were due to get a fourth installment.

Sitting down in the packed Leicester Square Odeon with a bucket of popcorn and a diabetic coma inducing volume of Coke, I joined the ranks of those people who were eager to see if it would live up to the hype.

I won’t wax on about the scenes in the film because it’d ruin the fun (especially if you’re waiting to go yourself), but overall I’d say I appeared to come out the cinema with the same impression as the rest of the audience.

I didn’t hate it, but I certainly wasn’t blown away.

Still, it was markedly better than Temple of Doom. Wise cracking Ford keeps the pace steadily moving along, and at 65, performing some incredible stunts (I hope I’m able to do half of what he does when I’m his age…).  The slapstick comedy from the first two films creeps in – in parts a little too much, but overall it keeps in line with the franchise. Sticking safely to the tried and tested formula of young sidekick, slightly irate love interest and a team of organised baddies (nazis, indian tribes, etc), the film holds it together well until the ending where it becomes a little untied.

I won’t spoil the ending, as it’s worth a watch – just be prepared to be found wanting when you leave.

To leave you on a happy note, keep an eye out for the hidden references throughout the film:

• Harrison Ford saying “I have a bad feeling about this” – a line which is used once in each of the Starwars films
• During the hanger scene, look out for the crate that breaks open… containing the Ark from “raiders”
• Watch the reaction of the Moles as the rocket launches – flip to Starwars ep. 1, and you’ll see the Jawa’s do the same during the pod racing scene.

Found more?  Comment and I’ll add them.