It's here. The latest installment in the summer movie nerdfest. Harrison Ford dons the fedora once again for a throwback to classic cinema at it's biggest and most kitchy and over-the-top.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull rolls out with the big summer movie blockbusters. In typical Lucas/Spielberg fashion, it's BIG. Huge action sequences. Lots of plot twists and turns. Global travel. Nuclear explosions. Area 51.
Okay, that's probably not what you were expecting, well, neither was I. It seems that Lucas and Spielberg decided there was a need to update the Dr. Jones storyline with some more modern plot devices.
It has the feel of classic cinema with some contrived but interesting elements that have the epic feel of the old Indiana Jones movies. It is more fun than a lot of the movies that have come out in recent memory, even if it isn't as good as a Temple of Doom.
Soviet conspiracy in the middle of the red scare in America sets the stage as Indy gets pulled out of the cushy academic life and back in to the adventuring business. A good friend of his has gotten a hold of a legendary artifact which has "powers" that are unexplained.
The story goes from olden conspiracy to newer conspiracy as it gets flavored with tinges of an X-Files episode. But not to worry, there is plenty of swinging from the rafters and old-fashioned whip fighting to go around.
I'll give it a solid B for the effort.
-John Berry, Online Editor--