27 May, 2008

Keeping Up With the Joneses

My wife and I went to see the new Indiana Jones film Saturday night. The best I can say is that at least it is an Indy movie. Other than that, I was pretty disappointed. It wasn't a problem that Harrison Ford is so much older now because I thought they did a good job with that, as far as not making him do anything too outrageous. Shia Lebouf was really good as the young greaser kid who has a close connection to someone from Indy's past (if you keep up with fan sites you already know who I am referring to). Cate Blanchett wasn't horrible as the villain but she never seemed as dangerous as Indy villains past. My biggest complaint was the story itself. Of course this is make believe, as all the Indy movies are but the plot of this just seemed completely out of tune with the entire Indy mythology. I can't say much without giving away a lot but suffice it to say that by the end of the movie I wasn't sure if they wanted Harrison to play Indy or Han Solo here. The special effects didn't bother me as much as they did my wife although one of the fight scenes really stretched the limits of believability. I think Lucas has come to rely too much on visual effects. The best things about both the original Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies was that they fired your imagination. His recent movies go to too many pains to leave nothing to the imagination and that is really too bad in my opinion. So, in summary, if you like Indy I recommend you go see the movie but keep your expectations low.

1 comment:

haonmot's woman said...

I will briefly add my personal review of the movie. Harrison Ford, rose above my expectations as to playing Indy at the age he is. Clarissa must really be keeping him in shape..LOL!!! Shia....WATCH OUT HOLLYWOOD....what talent I can not wait to see movies with him in them. Kate Blanchett, not a fan, they could have gotten a better villianess. It was great to see Karen Allen back on the big screen.

To me, the most disapointing thing about the movie was that it did not keep up with the whole archiology passion Indy has. I enjoy watching Indy figure out where the treasure is located based on his knowledge of ancient history. I love/ed the comedy that comes with Indiana Jones and it is what helped me keep with the polt of this one. I do not want to give much away but to me, this is not one worth spending your money to see on the big screen.