Imagine you're on a rollercoaster. It starts out slow with a few gentle jolts, before gradually picking up speed...and more speed....and more speed until suddenly you're being hurtled around and losing all sense of time before screeching to a halt. This is the best metaphor I can come up with to describe the latest Indiana Jones film which, I'm glad to say, does not suck, and it only feels a little bit creaky. It's flaws are more obvious that those of its predecessors'; some dialogue is a bit stiff, and at times the film takes a page out of the National Treasure handbook by having characters solve riddles in a matter of seconds. However, even after all these years, Harrison Ford's still got the role nailed, and the sets, like every Indy film, are glorious and intriguing. Said sets are complimented by the surprisingly beautiful cinematography (courtesy of Diving Bell and the Butterfly DP Januz Kaminiski). What's likely to cause the most debate, however, are the special effects. They aren't bad, but at certain points (most notably the finale), some may find them to be a bit too much; others will simply have problems with the film's climax (which obviously, I won't reveal). Cate Blanchett does a good job with her character, even if she is a bit one-note, and it's great to see Karen Allen back as well, though I do wish Hollywood would stop trying to cram Shia Labeouf down my throat. Whatever quibbles there may be, however, this is a nearly non-stop roller coaster ride of a film that's worth a look for any Indiana Jones fan. While I'm certain that it will always be known as "the other Indy movie", the kingdom of crystal skull is certainly worth entering.
Grade: B+
Current Nominations: Best Picture(#3), Best Director - Steven Spielberg(#3), Best Actor - Harrison Ford(#4), Best Supporting Actress - Cate Blanchett(#3), Best Editing(#3), Best Original Screenplay(#3), Best Cinematography(#1 WINNER), Best Art Direction(#1 WINNER), Best Original Score - John Williams (#2), Best Visual Effects(#2), Best Sound Editing (#2), Best Sound Mixing(#1 WINNER)
Number of 2008 films seen: 8
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