Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Director: Steven Spielberg
Writers: David Koepp (Screenplay), George Lucas (Story & Characters), Jeff Nathanson (Story) and Phillip Kaufman (Characters)
Genre: Action, Adventure
Release Date: May 22, 2008
Rating: Good
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I'm not going to give a review that gives away the movie, spoils the end or reveals any surprises that are in store. That is part of the whole movie experience. But I will give an over all take on the movie and what my personal opinion is on the plot and how I felt at the end of it all.

Set in 1957, the beloved Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones is back but older and looses his job at Marshall College when the FBI has suspicions of his recent involvement in a robbery by the Soviets of a military base that houses ancient artifacts. 19 years have passed since him and his father had set out to find the Holy Grail in 1938 and now his search is for something that is out of this world when he is approached by a greaser kid, Mutt, that wants help finding his mother and lost friend. Just loosing his job and given the chance to possibly find the legendary Crystal Skull of Akator, Jones and Mutt head to Peru to begin the adventure.

As a fan of the paranormal, strange, mysterious and past Indiana Jones movies I was very curious as to how this particular movie would use the Crystal Skull legends as it's plot. I have to say I was somewhat disappointed. The Crystal Skulls are a very interesting topic and I honestly didn't expect for it to be taken in the direction it was. In the movie the Crystal Skull is suppose to be an actual skull from an alien being. For me, I was hoping that it would have taken the story in the direction that would seem very possible. I know some theories believe the skulls are from beings not of earth but I don't think this was fitting for an Indiana Jones movie.

Now, what is one of the biggest trade marks of Indiana Jones? The whip! I think it was used 2 times, maybe 3, during the entire 123 minutes. Maybe age and arthritis made it to where he wasn't as accurate.

Even though the movie was enjoyable and fun, I was overall disappointed to be honest. It's worth watching mainly due to the fact it's a long awaited movie in one of the most famous seris and all of film making. Just don't expect to leave feeling you are part of history. It just wasn't that great.

Review by Jeremiah Greer