Who would have thought that, nineteen years after Indiana Jones rode off into the sunset with his good friends and father, the man with the hat would be back? Even in the sequel-obsessed Hollywood days we live in, I never expected to see Dr. Jones returning for another adventure, and had turned my adventure sights to competing second-bests like The Mummy and National Treasure.
We probably should have seen Kingdom of the Crystal Skull coming. After all, Lucas’s original deal with Paramount was for five Indiana Jones movies, not three. Of course, that means his recent comments on following this picture up with another one should probably be taken somewhat seriously. If nothing else, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull proves Lucas is a man of his word.
The origins of Indiana Jones have been somewhat muddled over the decades. Some say Lucas created the character as part of a desire to create his own James Bond type character – the hero who endures every challenge and gets the girl in the end. Others say it was his interest in the old serials of the ‘40s and ‘50s that inspired the series. As usual, Lucas isn’t exactly helping that debate, having given different answers over the past few decades as to how the character came about.
Regardless of the reasons for his creation, Indy became the definitive name for action/adventure almost instantly. With George Lucas and Steven Spielberg driving the film, two of the biggest names in entertainment, how could it miss? More than the names, however, were the set pieces. A well filled with slithering, venomous snakes. A giant boulder chasing the hero downhill. Nazis after a religious artifact of unspeakable power. And at the center of it all: Indiana Jones. The hero was destined for great things before his theme song even began to play.
The franchise suffered a bit of a misstep with the second film, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which took a darker turn that was partially responsible for the advent of the PG-13 rating. Some say the darker demeanor of the film was due to Lucas and Spielberg’s personal lives, facing divorces and personal crises. Personally I think they lost focus on the character, evident as this is the one movie that has Indy driven by “fortune and glory” through a lot of the film. A simple look at the other two movies, which has Indy in search of artifacts to protect them (“They belong in a museum”) reveals Temple’s shortcomings.
Thankfully, Spielberg himself recognized where the franchise had gone wrong and decided to make a third film, “to apologize for the second one.” Gone was the whiny less-empowered female figure and the less capable sidekick. Instead we got a family dynamic between father and son that fleshed out Indiana Jones’s character and gave the franchise a closing note worth ending on. Or so we thought, since obviously Indy’s story isn’t quite over yet.
This weekend Indiana Jones is back, adventure is back, and you'll be back at the theater to see it. To get your head right with Henry's whip crack, we present our guide to everything you'll need to get the most out of your Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull experience.
Movie Review - Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Anybody who’s any kind of an Indiana Jones fan will fun in this final chance to see Harrison back in the hat, but it’s hard not to wonder if we might not have been happier in the long run with Indiana Jones as a mythical figure somewhere off in the distance, never aging, never changing… read the rest
Is Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull OK For Kid?
Ed helps parents decide whether they should ignore the PG-13 and take their pre-teens.
DVD Review - Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Part of what has solidified Raiders status as a classic film is the numerous memorable moments the film carries, leading the picture to be spoofed and parodied quite often. Who can forget Indy’s marketplace battle with the overzealous swordsman, the brawny battle with the German mechanic, and, of course, the abuse Indy takes chasing a simple truck… read the rest
DVD Review - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
"Every element is exaggerated, with the humor broadened into 1941 style mechanized slapstick, and the character of Indiana Jones marginalized. Where the brilliant Raiders was an adventure film aimed at the child at heart, Temple of Doom is really designed for the kiddie market itself in the same reductionary way Lucas designed Return of the Jedi and every film since..."read the rest
DVD Review - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
"Since Indy is sometimes referred to as Spielberg and Lucas’s answer to James Bond, it makes sense to have the original James Bond portray his father. Sean Connery brings a delightful sternness to the role, walking a fine line between a fondness for his cinematic son, and remaining detached from emotional attachments..."read the rest
Hail the Aging Hero
Indiana Jones isn’t the first hero to transcend the age barrier. He’s not even the first one to do so in 2008 – a year that has already featured John Rambo returning to the screen for the first time in twenty years, compared to Indy’s nineteen. John McClane and Rocky Balboa are other recent contenders for the aging hero awards. So with the company Indy is keeping, why are we making such a big deal over age?
Lucas has already started making his apologies, stating in interviews with Steven Spielberg that everyone is bound to be disappointed because the expectations surrounding the film are so high…
Discuss – Indiana Jones Movie Forum Thread
Talk Indiana Jones with other Blenders before and after you see the movie.
Video - Trailers And Clips From Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Get a sneak peek at Indy’s new adventure
Images - Stills And Posters From Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
See images of Agent Spalko looking intimidating, Mutt driving a bike, and Indy cracking that whip!
Bowling For Box Office – Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Pit your foretelling abilities against those of other Blenders by trying to guess how much money this Kingdom can hold.
Favorite Indiana Jones Moments
Do you prefer the melting faces of Raiders or the father/son dynamic of Last Crusade? Voice your opinion on our forums.
Indiana Jones Goes LEGO
Details on the upcoming LEGO Indiana Jones video game.
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Schindler’s List
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Duel
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Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
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Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
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Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
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The Star Wars Trilogy
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THX-1138
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National Treasure: Book of Secrets
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The Mummy Returns
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Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life
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Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
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