"Get that greaser!"

[osaraba]

So I saw Indy4 last night... and I'm very mixed.

BE WARNED: HUGE SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

The alien thing was hard to swallow at first, but it fits the time period so I can be cool with that. It definitely makes sense and I can appreciate the thought behind it.

But overall, the movie lacked the Indiana Jones feel -- there was more action than adventure. Which was pretty disappointing. I haven't seen the first three in quite a while (though I know Last Crusade like the back of my hand). I feel like there was too much comedy in Crystal Skull. It seemed like a big joke. I was looking forward to a serious adventure (with the proper amount of comedy, of course). Also, Indy's sharp, dry wit was noticeably lacking in the movie.

I can't help but shake my head whenever I think of all the things that were missing. =(

...and what the fuck was with the CG animals and bugs?! That was one of the things I was really hoping they would not do -- use CG poorly. Ugh. But they did. ;_;

Parts I liked: the nods to the other movies in the series -- that part on the motorcycle was a classic! This time, Mutt looked all happy and proud by what he'd done and Indy just looked disgusted. So funny! The snake "rope" scene was hysterical! The "Get that greaser!" part in the diner was awesome. I absolutely love how the camera was in the middle of things and you didn't quite realize until that slight pause that the diner had split down the middle into greasers and jocks. Basically the beginning (all the prep work for the story) up until they get the skull was pretty good and entertaining (except for the CG gophers, jeez that was really horrible).

So even though it had its moments (which I enjoyed thoroughly), I was really let down by that whole action vs. adventure thing. AJ and/or Sean mentioned that there were a lot of setups that were solved really easily. I feel like this movie is to Indy 1-3 like Kingdom Hearts II is to Kingdom Hearts. They really dumbed it down. Or something.

I liked Shia LaBeouf and wouldn't mind seeing him as the next "Junior" (if that's where they're thinking of going), but right now he's too young -- and looks it. He's also stuck in comedic roles. I'd hate to see the Indy movies (or Indy spin-off movies, I suppose) turn into comedy-based rather than adventure-based.

I love good comedy within drama, action, adventure, etc. But I think there are few really good comedies. And I think the comedy in Indy4 just didn't strike the right tone. Argh!

Anyway, what did you think?

[edit: This review by Moriarty at Ain't It Cool News is really spot-on. I agree with about 95% of the article. My only problems stem from the fact that he doesn't like Last Crusade, which is my favorite, of course. But his analysis of the movie itself is on target. CONTAINS SPOILERS!]

Comments

[windsorblue.livejournal.com]

The diner scene was fabulous, and I did find amusement in the Russians chasing them through the anti-communist demonstration. The alien thing didn't bother me so much once my friend pointed out that it was kind of keeping in with the idea of classic genre movies - kind of an homage to B-movie sci-fi. But then that made me wish there had been a war movie to go with what they alluded to about Indy's time in the war. :/

The other moment I really loved was Marion still arguing while the guy was trying to gag her. XD

[sharona1x2.livejournal.com]

I probably enjoyed it as much as Windsor did. Some of the action stuff was silly (like Indy in the refrigerator), but I expect that from this kind of movie. I had so much fun, I plan to see it again next week. ^____^

That said, nothing holds a candle to Last Crusade for me. It'll always be my sentimental favorite.

[general-chris.livejournal.com]

I agree, I understand the alien story but it lacked a bit of 'Indy'ness. Especially since at a point it wasnt him doing the things anymore but that other guy. :p
The magnetism of non-Magnetic objects to the crystal skull. Why??
Could have done without the "Tarzan" scene, lol.
I thought the 'wall natives' were kinda neat that they popped up but then was like, "Do they just sit in there waiting for someone to come??" ha ha
Yeah, there is an ending, but wedding aside, it felt like there wasnt a definite ending to the actaul story arch. Yes the "aliens" treasured knowledge and built roads and aquaducts but why were they here originally? What was their deal?
IDK.
As a big Indy fan the movie was okay. But didnt hold up to the old ones. Like you said, the whole Action Vs. Adventure thing definitely came into affect.

BUT - I LOVED that they brought back the 'thwack' sounds of punches and kicks like in the old films. YAY for CLASSIC sound effects!
The Diner scene was great and Shiah played his role fantastically and I was happy to see Karen Allen back!
Was sad when they said Marcus and 'Dad' died.