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List Price: $39.99 | | Label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Salesrank: 5272
Released: October 14, 2008 |
| Our Price: $6.78 |
| Used Price: $6.40 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 10/14/2008 Run time: 122 minutes Rating: Pg13
Description of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Two-Disc Special Edition):
Nearly 20 years after riding his last Crusade, Harrison Ford makes a welcome return as archaeologist/relic hunter Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, an action-packed fourth installment that's, in a nutshell, less memorable than the first three but great nostalgia for fans of the series. Producer George Lucas and screenwriter David Koepp (War of the Worlds) set the film during the cold war, as the Soviets--replacing Nazis as Indy's villains of choice and led by a sword-wielding Cate Blanchett with black bob and sunglasses--are in pursuit of a crystal skull, which has mystical powers related to a city of gold. After escaping from them in a spectacular opening action sequence, Indy is coerced to head to Peru at the behest of a young greaser (Shia LaBeouf) whose friend--and Indy's colleague--Professor Oxley (John Hurt) has been captured for his knowledge of the skull's whereabouts. Whatever secrets the skull holds are tertiary; its reveal is the weakest part of the movie, as the CGI effects that inevitably accompany it feel jarring next to the boulder-rolling world of Indy audiences knew and loved. There's plenty of comedy, delightful stunts--ants play a deadly role here--and the return of Raiders love interest Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood, once shrill but now softened, giving her ex-love bemused glances and eye-rolls as he huffs his way to save the day. Which brings us to Ford: bullwhip still in hand, he's a little creakier, a lot grayer, but still twice the action hero of anyone in film today. With all the anticipation and hype leading up to the film's release, perhaps no reunion is sweeter than that of Ford with the role that fits him as snugly as that fedora hat. --Ellen A. Kim
Stills from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Click for larger image)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Two-Disc Special Edition) Reviews:
Indiana Jones - The Original Action Hero 
2009-11-23 - I',ll make this short. Down with the naysayers and movie snobs spouting bad reviews. The first 3 Indiana Jones movies paved the way for many action movies. Indy started it all! So maybe the Crystal Skull was lacking in areas but as a whole this collection is an action/adventure classic not to be missed. It's everything action movies should be.
Jeff Ainscough - Denver CO USA
Indiana Jones Part Four of the Series: on DVD. 
2009-11-23 - Absurd can best describe some of the over the top action sequences. Even the construction of some of these scenes, seemed to be lacking in detail, as far as continuity is concerned. Plus, Harrison Ford is noticably older, and so is Karen Allen, who was missing in the last two films. The point being, maybe they should not have waited this long to put out another film.
The Return Of The Great Adventure
2009-11-20 - I don't know why people complain about his one but it must be the even numbered Indiana Jones movies that nobody likes (very similar to how fans and others respond to the odd numbered Star Treks). This was a great adventure from start to finish and I couldn't have enjoyed it better. Ford steps back into the role seamlessly. Though a little older, he still handles the action scenes just like he did back in the 80s. The Russians are now the villains of the picture and Cate Blanchett plays Spalko brilliantly, bringing Lotte Lenya's Rosa Klebb from James Bond to mind (right down to the bob hairstyle). And it was enjoyable to have a female villain (Elsa from The Last Crusade doesn't really count in my opinion as she just didn't scream "evil" to me) and, other than Mola Ram from Temple, the only villain to get into the fights. And she was a step up from Donovan, who also just didn't seem villainous enough. Shia Labeouf I could've done without. I didn't like him in Transformers and I don't like him in this. Action doesn't seem to suit him and I didn't like the fact that Lucas/Spielberg made him Indy's son, which I was hoping throughout the film that he wasn't but I was disappointed. Karen Allen makes a welcome return and I enjoyed the bickering that she and Ford did. The rest of the supporting cast is also well played. The references to Connery, Elliot and other people/artifacts from the previous films were enjoyable (especially the Ark). I didn't mind the aliens at the end as it was set in the 50s and the sci-fi tone fit in well enough (Indy locking himself in the fridge was also something that didn't bother me). I don't why people think that its implausible/impossible for aliens to make an apperance, I mean the character did go up against a guy who could take your heart out and still live so extra-terrestrials aren't that far-fetched. Action sequences are excellent but everything just seems to be CG now and I blame Lucas for that. And finally, this will be the last time (for now anyway) that I have to praise (well I guess I don't have to but he's so good) John Williams, who brings in excellent new material while working in some of the old themes as well.
almost as bad as the holocaust 
2009-10-24 - People condemn Lucas for this atrocity, but Spielberg can also be condemned. His nostalgia got the better of him, so we have three (THREE) references to Marcus Brody and one to Indy's dad, along with a very unnecessary Marion Ravenwood return and the predictable Indy jokes about getting old. This was their chance to do something new with Indy. Lucas and Spiel blew it, serving us a feast of rotten tidbits we'd eaten too many times before: the evil bad guy, the car chases, the big huge guy indy has to fight at some point, the ancient relic that hold ancient powers.
How can two legends of film armed with hundreds of millions of dollars, a legion of crew members, one of America's most beloved characters and nineteen years in which to do it accomplish what will go down as one of Hollywood's most embarrassing films?
An open mind will yield positive results 
2009-10-03 - I went into this movie worrying about several things: First, will it be as bad as the detractors are saying? Is it still an Indy movie? Will Shia LaBeouf take Willie's spot as the most annoying sidekick in the Indy series?
Thankfully, I found that I really enjoyed Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It's no Raiders or Last Crusade, but why would anyone want the same movie all over again? No, Crystal Skull is a different breed of Indy film. As the great Bob Dylan sings, "the times they are a changin'" and that idea fits here well. Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg work well together making Indy's age a factor in the movie, but not one that takes all of the attention. Shia LaBeouf is more tolerable as the tenacious Mutt than his character in Transformers, and Cate Blanchett and Karen Allen provide solid performances.
The story is not as clogged and confusing as the film's detractors are saying; in fact, it's rather easy to follow. It's pretty entertaining and makes the 2 hours plus seem a lot less, a sign of good storytelling since no part of Crystal Skull really felt slow or dragging. The whole alien/Soviet concept is not as unbelievable as one might think; in fact, it works rather well and breathes new life into the franchise. Sure, it's a bit different than the usual crusty tomb full of treasure or shrines to strange gods, but that's what is so appealing about this movie; it takes Indy in a new direction while not straying from the pulp lifeblood that flows through the series' veins.
Disregard all the hatred toward this film, go see it and form your own opinion. If you want Raiders 2, then just watch Raiders. The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is a NEW Indy movie, therefore it's not going to be the same as the original three. On that note, if this had been a carbon copy of Raiders, there would be a bunch of people complaining that Lucas and Spielberg are too afraid to move the franchise forward or some nonsense. Go see it with an open mind and expect a new Indiana Jones, not a rehash, and you shouldn't be disappointed.
