Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

So after the nineteen year wait it's finally here. Through numerous supposed scripts and the aging process catching up to the main star, plus Lucas' creative instincts imploding faster than a comedy Nazi's skull, here we are with Indiana Jones 4, the one with the really bad name.

Obviously this is literally just out so I'll try and avoid any spoilers in the review, but I may accidentally slip something in that's not common knowledge so be warned.

Let's start by saying that anyone worried that they were going to piss all over a legend needn't. This is not like those Star Wars prequels. Obviously after such a long wait the build up to this film has been intense, and like The Simpsons Movie before it it probably has too much to live up to thanks to not only the wait but the peerless original works. Inevitably Crystal Skull will disappoint it just depends to what extent.

For me it's the fact that we are in Temple Of Doom mode here. Slightly iffy, goofy story but great set pieces and humour. The humour isn't as broad as Doom's, probably a good thing as sequences such as the banquet were a little too much. Here instead we have knowing nods, the Ark of the Covenant, the opening Paramount "mountain", and clever use of running jokes and themes, the incorporation of Indy's fear of snakes is a cracking scene and look out for Marcus Brody helping out from beyond the grave, it's cute really.

The set pieces are what fans of the series have come to expect. The Amazon jungle chase is the standout, one that brings back memories of the chase on Endor in Jedi thanks to the setting, that incorporates a rocket launcher, a sword fight during the chase and some rather nasty ants. Sadly it also includes Shia LaBeouf's Mutt Williams, to kind of quote the Waterboys, "doing what monkeys do". It's a cringeworthy moment of supreme goofiness.

It's this goofiness that is the underlying problem with Crystal Skull. Not to ruin the story it involves Indy and co. racing against the Commies to find El Dorado and a mysterious Crystal Skull that has incredible potential for world domination. The problem lies in who made the skull. Events get a little too out there, although I am talking about a film series that involved a radio to God, a 700 year old knight and a guy who can rip your heart out but leave you still living, so for some this may not be too far a stretch. Also the attempt to show the Commies in a comic light is downright embarrassing with them Cossack dancing around a fire. Throw in the Peruvian tribal members and the usual Indy casual racism is intact.

Another problem is that some of the better cast members are wasted, specifically John Hurt and Jim Broadbent. That said Ray Winstone's decent, Cate Blanchett makes a very good baddie, although she's no Belloq, and LaBeouf continues to impress with a character that's in a lot of ways essential thanks to Ford's age. Not that he doesn't do well. By acknowledging the fact that Ford is now in his sixties by making Indy the same age was a wise move. Now he's a grizzled old cynic, not majorly removed from his younger persona, just even more world weary. And it's great to see Karen Allen back as Marion. The dialogue between Jones and Ravenwood remains as zesty as it was way back in Raiders, of course she too is now older and wiser, and yet at the same time still can't help becoming all gooey at the sight of our hero. The fact that the love interest is of similar age to the older lead has to be applauded as well.

Crystal Skull will inevitably disappoint some. Not just hardened old school fans who have waited for way too long for the fourth installment, but new viewers as well thanks to the nature of today's blockbusters. It's still quite old fashioned in its way with most of the action being of a practical nature, the lead being in his sixties, and there being quite a lot of story, good or bad, something most don't tend to bother with. But for those willing to forgive the flaws what they are left with is a very good Indiana Jones film. And a very good Indiana Jones film is a very precious thing indeed.