Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - A Disappointment For Die Hard Fans?

Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull gets a 77% from critics and a 66% from Viewers on Rotten Tomatoes Movie Community. Just 6% shy, according to viewers, of being considered ROTTEN. Amongst a slew of mediocre action films being released recently, newcomers to the series will delight in the skillful action scenes, fast pace and archaeological back-story. But is the new Indiana flick worthy to sit amongst its predecessors on the metaphorical Indiana Jones Shelf?

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) takes us on a quest to find the Lost Ark of the Covenant (The Ten Commandments), Temple of Doom (1984) takes us to find mystical Indian Stones, and in The Last Crusade (1989) we discover the Holy Grail. With all the religiosity of the past, something just seems a little off about the whole Alien theme in the new Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Although it does not come as a surprise, considering Stephen Spielberg's affinity for Extraterrestrials, there is a lingering air of laziness about the whole premise.

Set in 1957, post WWII, and smack dab in the middle of the Cold War, the movie is split between a Nevada military base, and the Jungles of Peru. The bad guy is KGB agent Colonel Doctor Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett), a fierce military chick with and equally fierce black bob and a thick Russian accent, and her crew of Soviet Agents, who want possession of the mythical Crystal Skull, which will endow them with the weapon of the future: Mind Control.

Marian Ravenwood (Karen Allen), reprises her role as Indie's love Ignorance (Raiders of the Lost Ark), along she and Indie's lovechild, Henry "Mutt" Jones III (Shia LaBeouf).

The Action
The action scenes are some of Spielberg's best, especially a memorable car chase through the Amazon jungle, equipped with high speed sword fighting, cars driving dangerously close to high cliffs, an impressive explosion, sharp flying metal, and a super intelligent swarm of killer red ants. We could do with forgetting the part where "Mutt" swings through the trees with a group of monkeys.

The only downfall is that the movie set sometimes looks unbelievable, and is reminiscent of an MGM studio set up.

The Acting
The best part is that Harrison Ford does not try to become the "Indie of old". There are many humorous moments making fun of Indie as the "old man". Fans will appreciate not being forced to salvation army car donations belief, and pretend that Harrison Ford is not pushing seventy!

Hints are made that Shia LaBeouf (as Mutt) may or may not be the future of Indiana Jones when he symbolically picks up Indiana's hat and is about to place it on his head (only to have it snatched away by Indie himself). Unfortunately, Shia LaBeouf, more familiar to movie viewers as the sweet teenage kid, seems neither comfortable nor believable as the "bad boy". Perhaps, Will Smith?

Karen Allen (as Marian) is a welcomed effects of marijuana adding a little extra spice and nostalgia. And everyone knows that no Indiana Jones movie flick be complete without a love affair.

The History Lesson
The history behind the Crystal Skull is not as impressive or deep compared to the first three movies which delved into biblical history and Indian mythology. And although well thought out, the alien stuff just seems downright made up at times.

Consensus
Although not as good as the first three, you'll still be glad that you watched it.

Grade B/B+