UPDATED REVIEW: FRIDAY NIGHT 

Well, I saw “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” on Friday.

It was a fun way to start a long holiday weekend.

Like my buddy Bryon (see his review below) who saw the movie at a midnight showing on Wednesday, I would rate the movie and “8″ on the Sandwich Scale. (See the previous post for the rating details.) 

It’s just fun to see Harrison Ford in the Indy gear again.

But the movie has its flaws. The script is a little confusing, there is a lull in the middle of the movie and as a friend who saw the movie remarked, the new and secondary characters in this movie just don’t measure up well or feel as well worn as the iconic Indiana Jones.

I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I won’t get into too much detail on what I perceive to be some basic issues with the script. That’s for another post sometime down the road.

My biggest disappointment is that I expected more from the villian in the piece played by Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett. I had heard she was supposed to be the baddie that would make Indy feel he had met his match.

Not even close.

Go back to the character of renegade archeologist Belloq, played by Paul Freeman in the first “Raiders of the Lost Ark” to find a worthy opponent for Indiana Jones. Belloq was Indy’s match. Because he was smarter than Indy.

It’s nice to see Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) again too. I just wish she drove the storyline more (again, an issue with the script.) 

The homages and nods to the earlier Indy films, even a little salute to George Lucas’ “American Graffiti” and a line right out of the Star Wars movies are entertaining. 

Ultimately, if you’re an Indiana Jones fan, you gotta see this movie. The effects, the fights and the creepy bugs (this time it’s ants!) help turn this into b-movie fun.

Enjoy it!

******

I hoped to go see “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” at a midnight showing on Wednesday night. I wanted to…but the prospect of getting only a couple hours of sleep then going to work convinced my otherwise.

Far as I’m concerned, this is the first movie in a long time that I’m really excited to see!

Fortunately, my good friend and blogging correspondent, Bryon did see stay up late/early to see it! I’m even more excited to see it as he has given it an EIGHT on the “Sandwich” scale. (If you are not familiar with this blog’s “Sandwich Scale” please see the previous post!)

I’m gonna see “Indy” this weekend. I’ll post my review then! Until then enjoy and have a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend!

My son, Ryan and I went to the Muncie midnight premiere of Indy 4. While the show wasn’t sold out, there was a packed house. I might have been the oldest person there. Ryan was quite possibly the youngest (13) in attendance. Ya, I’m a bad parent. Sue me.

On to the film-

Using the now-famous Sandwich Scale:

* If you’ve never seen an Indy film and had no idea who Henry Jones is, I give it a seven as a stand-alone movie.
* As part of the Indiana Jones series, some might give it an eight.

Portions of the movie seemed to be just going through the motions, yet there was plenty of action and some darn fine special effects. I won’t release any major spoilers, but there were nods to Sean Connery- who as I understand it- passed on the film and to Denholm Elliott who also passed…away.

It was good to see Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood Williams.
Shia LaBeuf more than handled his role as Mutt Williams, the “Rebel Without A Fedora”.

I had a few problems with Cate Blanchett’s tired Russian accent. But that’s just me.

My son and I both enjoyed the movie. It’s definitely worth a look. Especially if you’ve seen the rest of the Indy movies. We both agreed on this ranking- best to worst:
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

The best part of Indy 4?

No Kate Capshaw.

Thanks Bryon. Gotta comment or review of “Indiana Jones?” Use the “Sandwich Scale” to review it and I’ll post it.