By: debbie lynn elias
It has long been said that all good things come to those who wait. Well, we’ve waited 19 years for Harrison Ford to don his fedora and crack his whip and let me tell you, Ford and company more than prove that INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL was well worth any wait!! Not skipping a beat, Harrison Ford is still the same dazzling, cocky, witty, sexy, athletic, archeologic adventurer that we all came to love some 27 years ago. And although now fighting Russians instead of Nazis, Ford proves time and time again, that like a fine wine, things do improve with age and he is no exception. As wardrobers for the film will attest, Ford is truly ageless, still fitting into Indy’s digs from his last adventure 19 years ago with nary a need for needle and thread for tailoring.
The story, kept under wraps until the films’ release, thanks to better security than the Pentagon or Homeland Security can provide, is as fanciful and fun as its predecessors. The time is 1957. Hitler is dead. The Cold War is in full swing. But the hottest topic of conversation is the USA’s own, Area 51 (which means don’t be surprised if we see E.T. phoning home.) After an “explosive” encounter between himself, his partner Mac McHale, and Russian scientist Irina Spalko in Area 51 in Roswell, New Mexico (hmmm, how did the Russians get into Area 51?), in his usual everyman-style, Dr. Jones easily settles back into his part-time vocation in academia teaching archeology at Marshall College. What were they doing in Area 51, you ask? Seems the Soviets are interested in obtaining Dr. Jones’ help in locating a mysterious object allegedly housed in Area 51. And despite their best efforts to rein him in and aid them, our boy Indy is anything but obliging to “the enemy.”
But, never one for the quiet life, when approached by Marlon Brando/James Dean “Wild One” biker wannabe Mutt Williams, Jones jumps at the chance to become involved in yet another quest. Actually, a couple. One, the search for the crystal skull allegedly stolen from the Mayan “City of Gold”, El Dorado, in Peru and which legend holds that whomever retrieves and returns to skull to the City will himself have untold power and riches. Which explains why Irina Spalko is also searching for the skull; and wanted Indy’s help, but now will do whatever necessary to grab the skull before Indy. But, as if having to ward off Spalko in this race against time isn’t enough, Indiana and Mutt also have to rescue the kidnaped Marion Ravenwood, who you may recall was Indiana’s old flame (and for who it seems the flame still burns hot) and who happens to be Mutt’s mother. Also needing their rescue is Indy’s colleague, Professor Oxley.
As to be expected, in typical Indy fashion, there are chases, explosions and action-packed adventures galore all neatly tied together with a familial undertone and epilogue (which I will not divulge) that I will only say will be a delight to all. (In other words, stay through the credits.)
There is no one on the planet who could ever play Indiana Jones but for Harrison Ford. Although 19 years older, he is still irresistible, rakishly handsome, as agile and athletic as ever and still doing the majority of his own stunts. For any of you that think Ford just looks this good for this film, think again. I can personally vouch for the fact that he always looks this good. And for those of you that think he’s too old for the role, puh-lease! The man doesn’t have a creaky bone in his body (or at least none that I have heard even when standing or sitting next to him at a local restaurant) and moves with the same gait and speed as a young Indy or Han Solo. Indicative of Ford’s physique and ability, on watching the earlier Indy films and comparing them to CRYSTAL SKULL, even Steven Spielberg had to comment that he couldn’t tell the difference in Ford’s form and style from that of 26 years ago to the present! Ford slips into that fedora with the ease of an old friend and cracks that whip as handily as ever. His comedic timing is impeccable, wit as dry as ever; his chemistry with Karen Allen undeniable and rapport with Shia LaBeouf is snappy, entertaining, comfortable and believable. Which gives rise to what many already suspect about LaBeouf – if there was ever a film to hand over the reins of action adventure superstar to the next generation, this is the one. And while I don’t think Ford is ready to hang up his hat just yet (there is still the possibility of the originally conceived 5th installment), it’s nice to know there is an heir apparent to Ford’s throne.
You may recall how impressed I was with LaBeouf in “Transformers” and how he has matured not only as a person but in his performance over the years. His work there is nothing compared to his turn as Mutt Williams. Accepting the role without ever reading the part, LaBeouf clearly has his career plan well mapped as he transitions from Disney kid fame to adult action hero. Embodying the character thanks to encouragement from Steven Spielberg in the form of well-placed notes in his script and 3 “must see films” for character imagery (including “The Wild One”), LaBeouf not only bulked up for the part, but displays a maturity and impertinent cockiness that more than holds its own against Harrison Ford. Equally as strong as his physical appearance and performance (he also did the majority of his own stunts) is his delivery and timing, not to mention camaraderie with Ford. Likeable to a fault, LaBeouf more than lives up to the Indiana Jones legacy.
A welcome returning character is Indy’s first love, Marion Ravenwood, and joyfully, Karen Allen reprises the role. Not missing a beat, she and Ford still have spice and sizzle and the same fiery repartee we enjoyed some 26 years ago.
Another newcomer to the franchise is Cate Blanchett who adds some comic book camp as the sultry yet cold-as-ice Russian scientist, Irina Spalko. I had a chance to talk to Blanchett earlier this year at the Spirit Awards and while she was mum on the film’s particulars, she did divulge that this film “was the most fun I have had on a film.” She is devilishly delicious.
Well known around town for years is the difficulty of finding the right script in order to make this film happen. I was privy to some details of some of the earlier works in progress by several writers, some of which, as an Indy fan, would have been a great disappoint to me had Spielberg and Lucas gone that route. Luckily for us, fate smiled on the talented David Koepp. Mixing the elements of a Cold War setting with the adventuress nature of the Peruvian jungle, aliens, Area 51 and the mythical crystal skulls, with snappy, often self-deprecating dialogue (listen for homages to another famous Ford character for real enjoyment) laced with a loving familial undertone, Koepp keeps the energy and anticipation high. But that high energy turns into exhilaration when director Steven Spielberg steps behind the camera.
Intent on retaining the original look and feel of the original films, Spielberg is high on actual stunts and physical performance rather than CGI. However, thanks to the technological advancements of the past 19 years, the production values are exceedingly high. Using the patented Indy technique of making each sequence progressively more thrilling than the last, Spielberg doesn’t disappoint and provides one jaw-dropping, heart pounding thrill after another. With a broad canvas of mid and tight shots, smartly edited by Michael Kahn, Spielberg brings a riveting – and fun – intensity to the screen. Celebrating the franchise, look for nostalgic references of Henry Jones, Marcus Brody, Willie, the Ark of the Covenant and, of course, snakes.
As much as I admire the work of cinematographer Douglas Slocombe who worked on the three prior Indy films, I am overjoyed that longtime Spielberg collaborator Janusz Kaminski was brought on board in light of Slocombe’s retirement. Compromising his own look and style in order to keep with the photography and comic book stylings of the previous films, Kaminski not only had to watch the three earlier films, but he and Spielberg, who have worked together on every Spielberg film since “Schindler’s List”, had to go back to Spielberg’s roots to capture and convey the true essence of Indiana Jones. I doubt if the end result would have been as glorious were it in the hands of anyone other than Kaminski.
With an unfettered, throw caution to the wind, giddy joy and death defying exhilaration and even alien mysticism, Spielberg and partner George Lucas, bring the magic of the 30’s and 40’3 popcorn serial larger than life E-ticket ride, back to the movies with INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL. And as if that’s not enough, I had a chance several weeks ago to ask Harrison Ford if there was one reason to go see CRYSTAL SKULL, what would it be. Without missing a beat, in true Indy fashion, with that devilish grin and raised eyebrows and slight chuckle, he had a very simple answer, “Me, of course!” Of course, indeed!
Indiana Jones – Harrison Ford
Mutt Williams – Shia LaBeouf
Marion Ravenwood – Karen Allen
Irina Spalko – Cate Blanchett
Directed by Steven Spielberg. Written by David Koepp based on a story by George Lucas and Jeff Nathanson. Rated Pg-13. (124 min)
