• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

'Indiana Jones' Wields Enough Snap to Satisfy

Posted on: Monday, 19 May 2008, 06:00 CDT

By Claudia Puig

It has been nearly two decades, and Indiana Jones is a bit more grizzled. But his witty banter is still decidedly intact.

In Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (** 1/2 out of four), he uses his wits and still-considerable brawn to fend off an atomic bomb, ruthless KGB agents, roiling rapids, flesh-eating insects and angry Peruvian natives. And he tangles again with his most hated nemesis: the snake.

Right about the time the natives get restless, however, so do we. But the excitement picks back up and, overall, it's pleasantly nostalgic to see Harrison Ford as Jones again.

Ford seems to have taken the 19 years since the third Jones in smooth stride. He remains dashing in his weathered fedora, and he can still snap a bullwhip with finesse. Still, much fun is had, particularly by Shia LaBeouf's character, with Jones' having grown a bit long in the tooth.

Teaming Ford with Transformers' LaBeouf and reuniting him with Karen Allen were inspired choices. Less so is Cate Blanchett, who's over-the-top as an evil Russian scientist with the thickest accent since Bullwinkle's Natasha.

The stunts and special effects are spectacular, as one would expect from director Steven Spielberg. A motorcycle chase across the grounds of an Ivy League college is a treat, and Jones tosses off some of his best lines.

But while it's an intentionally far-fetched saga, there are especially implausible moments -- even for Indiana Jones. Characters suddenly stand still, for instance, so special effects can happen around them.

It was 1938 when we last saw archaeology professor Jones, just before World War II. Now it's 1957, the Cold War is on, the world seems on the brink of nuclear annihilation, and Communists are being hunted down.

Though previous installments focused on the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail, this time it's a crystal skull that is significant historically and cosmically. Sounds overheated, and it is. Ridiculous exchanges don't help. When LaBeouf asks if some creatures are from outer space, he is told: "Not outer space. But the space between spaces." Huh?

But even with the ponderous dialogue, it's hard not to have fun on this adventure, and it's good to see that Indy, though slightly weary, still has the goods. (Rated PG-13 for adventure violence and scary images. Running time: 2 hours, 4 minutes. Opens late Wednesday in many cities, Thursday nationwide.)

The following fields overflowed:

OBJECT = d_indyreview19 D01_CANNES_19.JPG19 D01_CATE_CANNES_19.JPG19 d01_indiana_19.jpg19 (c) Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

Source: USA TODAY

More News in this Category