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List Price: $19.99 | | Label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Salesrank: 933
Released: October 14, 2008 |
| Our Price: $8.10 |
| Used Price: $1.96 |
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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 (Single Disc):
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 (Single Disc) Reviews:
the final chapter for Indiana Jones? . . . 
2009-12-25 - Indiana Jones and his dad Henry, rode off into the sunset in Indiana Jones and Last Crusade, back in 1989. As more time past, it appeared that we had perhaps seen the last of the intrepid archeologist. And that might have been the case, if not for Harrison Ford's interest in doing a fourth Indy adventure. Ford's persistence provided the impetus to bring Steven Spielberg, and George Lucas, together again after eighteen years, to produce Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull (2008).
The result is another rip roaring adventure, full of danger, excitement, and fun, that while featuring more CGI, remains true to the grand tradition of Indiana Jones. The film features a reunion with Jones's true love, Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), and should this be the final chapter, nicely closes the circle on the epic Indiana Jones saga.
Set in 1957, the story begins in the Nevada desert, where Indy is a prisoner of Soviets disguised as American soldiers, engaged in a raid on a government facility, where classified material is stored. The group led by Colonel Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett), and aided by Indy's friend Mac Michale (Ray Winstone), is after remains of an interdimensional being recovered from Roswell. Indy escapes on a rocket driven sled, and then manages to survive a nuclear blast, bringing the preamble to a close.
After being suspended from teaching, Indy is approached by Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf), who informs him that old friend, Harold Oxley (John Hurt), has discovered a crystal skull in Peru. After another tussle with the Russians, Indy and Mutt are off to Peru. While clambering in a crypt, they discover a hidden crystal skull. The pair are captured by the Soviets and reunited with Marion, who is revealed to be Mutt's mother, followed by the revelation that Mutt is Indy's son. Exposed to the power of the skull, Indy deciphers some clues provided by Oxley, which indicate the location of the legendary city of Akator. On the way there, Indy and his group make a bid to escape. The film makes the jump into complete fantasy, with a wild and outrageous chase through the jungle, an encounter with fire ants, culminated with plunging over three sets of waterfalls.
The entrance to Akator lies in a hidden cave behind a waterfall. Indy and his band set about returning the crystal skull to its rightful place. Miraculously, Spalko and her troops have somehow navigated the three falls, and are trailing just behind. The skull is from an extra-terrestrial, and restoring the skull results in a cataclysmic event, the opening of a portal to another dimension. Spalko becomes part of the cosmos, and her command is sucked into the vortex. Returning home, Indiana and Marion are married. Time will tell, if the story ends here.
One of the true movie stars of this generation, Harrison Ford may be approaching the later stages of a distinguished career, but at 66, he is still one hell of an action hero! While the intensity may have been tailored to lessen the physical difficulty, there are few at his age that would be up to the task. The man is simply an inspiration. Karen Allen has aged gracefully, and does a fine job in a physically demanding role. This film brings the Indiana Jones saga full circle, and sets up the Mutt character as a possible successor. The Indy-Marion romance may not be a cinematic classic, but this film certainly elevates its stature.
Master filmmakers, Spielberg and Lucas, reacquainted themselves with the earlier films, and Crystal Skull successfully recaptures the same spirit, with a modern look. Although use of current technology and techniques is evident, use of CGI was mostly judicious, and not terribly overdone, except for the finale. With John Williams again providing the music, the film also has the same wonderful swashbucking feel. Fans of the film should look at either of the 2 disc versions, special edition or blu-ray, which both have tons of extras. Partially inspired by early movie serials, one of the most popular movie characters of the last 30 years, it can be said that 'If adventure has a name, it must be Indiana Jones'.
Older, smarter, a bit-slower, but still Indiana Jones 
2009-12-24 - 5 of 5 stars for the action-adventure movie Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Really nice to have Indiana Jones back after two decades. Older, smarter and a bit slower, but, still the Indy we all know and love. The movie opens with the Russians (oh, we're in the 1950's now) trying to break-into Area 51 to recover an artifact. They've brought Jones as a hostage and to find the artifact in the storage warehouse. From there, we're on a typical Indie quest. I can tell you that there is a Crystal Skull (or two) involved. We do see the return of Marian (Karen Allen) as Indie's lost girlfriend. There are other surprises in this movie.
Expertly crafted and on par with all three previous Indie movies.Richly photographed, great sets, great action and fun chases. I have added this movie to my list of favorites and highly recommend it! This is a two bag-of-popcorn feature movie! Let's hope for more adventures in the future.
Indy Returns With a Bang
2009-12-24 - This flick is helped immensely by diminished expectations. Going into it I felt this was going be a cynical effort seeing that the series promised to conclude twenty years ago with "The Last Crusade". I was ready to tag the movie "Geritol Jones". That said, messrs. Lucas, Spielberg, and Ford have revisited the series and have delivered a wholly satisfying entry. While not as fast paced as "Raiders of the Lost Ark" it has slowed down rhythms probably in deference to Harrison Ford's age. Though not as quick with the whip as he once was Ford floats by on his familiar charisma. It was great to see Karen Allen back as Marion Ravenwood, the only femme fatale worthy of Indy. Allen doesn't seem to have aged in thirty years. Cate Blanchett is deliciously villainous as a Russian baddy recalling Beloque from "Raiders". Great closing shot that suggests the direction the series may or may not go. Only sin is it doesn't reach the heights of the original but in the spirit of the season I'm giving it the full five star treatment.
No Phantom Menace
2009-12-13 - I hoped and prayed that this film would never happen. In three sunny adventures Indiana Jones was timeless and ageless. He concluded them by riding off into the sunset and into our imaginations. The thought of a saggy, graying Indy played by a wearier, more gravelly Harrison Ford turned my stomach. And I hated, hated, hated this film in the theater because at first glance it was pretty much everything I anticipated. I didn't want to see a weary Indy talking about dead Sean Connery and dead Marcus Brody, but suddenly there it was up on the screen.
Taking it in on the smaller screen, some of those weaknesses have become strengths, and the sins of Crystal Skull are no greater than those of its predecessors. Is escaping from a nuclear blast in a lead-lined fridge really that much more of a stretch than free-falling from a plane on an inflated life raft? Is Mutt's moment of vine swinging (a pulp moment in a series full of them) any worse than Ford's faux Scottish accent scene in Last Crusade? As for the aforementioned Connery, the film pays his character a quick, noble tribute. The spirit of Denholm Elliott is alive and well in a new addition, Jim Broadbent.
Other new additions are very welcome. Ray Winstone has great chemistry (and dialogue) with Ford, and his character Mack is a welcome addition to the Indiana Jones universe. Spielberg's brief love of flavor-of-the-month Shia LaBoeuf may or may not be a thing of the past now, but LaBoeuf is actually Crystal Skull's trump card. He keeps the energy going, and is less bland and stunt-cast than floppy-haired River Phoenix was. I don't necessarily want Ford passing him the torch, but he supports him just fine.
George Lucas' latter-day tone deafness, exhibited in the Star Wars prequels, is thankfully kept to a minimum. Spielberg first shows deviation from previous formula in the zippy CGI-assisted camera moves of the opening car chase -- a holdover from War Of The Worlds -- but this actually adds to the old Indy energy. How turned off you are by the big jungle chase/sword fight later on will depend on your tolerance for blue screen and obvious, blurry CGI. Still, the previous films were not immune to distracting matte paintings and ropey effects, even the hallowed Raiders Of The Lost Ark.
The most comforting ingredients are all there. Those ridiculously exaggerated punch sounds. An alternately cartoony and poignant John Williams score. A real romantic sense of time and place, of history. A diverse cast of accomplished actors enjoying themselves in pulp mode. A Harrison Ford we can root for, wry and sly and imperiled and iconic -- where has he been all this time?
Indy is still great, but not as before. 
2009-12-11 - For so long the public wished for a another installment in the Indiana Jones (including me) and it has finally arrived! Was it worth the wait? Some might say so, but not me. Although the film is still watchable. Indy's back and he may be older but he still has it! The film takes place in 1957 and this time Soviets are the bad guys instead of the Nazis.
The movie suffers from some very "out-there" writing, I have the greatest respect for George Lucas but the lack of realism in this film saddens me. Indy survives a nuclear blast by hiding in a fridge! A FRIDGE! Including aliens (or dimensional beings) doesn't bother me, but the way they play out does. The film suffers from too much CGI, a trait Steven Spielberg and George Lucas has unfortunately become associated with.
The 2-Disc Special Edition is for fans only, as the film is only worth a rental. The first disc contains the special feature on a tribute to Indy as well as a feature on the pre-production of the film. The second disc contains a production diary and a pre-visualization feature. In the end the single-disc version is the one worth getting, or just renting it.
