The Energon Pub

So last night, I went and saw the midnight showing of Indy 4.

And I gotta say, when the end credits rolled(Nothing after the credits FYI).

I was pretty let down.

Past here there be -Spoilers-

The story revolves around Indiana Jones trying to return an alien skull made of crystal back to some place in South America.

Now, I know the myths surrounding the actual Crystal Skulls really well, and whoever wrote the script did get the basic jist of the myths behind them correct.

However, aside from a couple of mentions of the Mitchell-Hedges Skull, which really shouldn't exist, considering that it is carved against the grain of crystal, and still perfectly intact, scientists have even taken electron microscopes to the surface to find out how it was made, and they came back with no clue as to how.

Anyway, the movie deals with the stories of Ancient Astronauts, aliens helping and teaching mankind.

So it should have been a decent movie, with a rich story rooted in mythological fact, perfect for Indiana Jones, right?

Yeah...I feel bad for saying it, because I love Indiana Jones, he got me into studying cultures and stuff when I was a kid.

This movie really was a huge disappointment.

Kinda like TMNT 3, or Pirates of the Caribbean 3.

They used all of the same jokes associated with Indy, the snakes, the "I got a bad feeling about this," aside from one or two jokes, there wasn't much in the way or originality added into this installment.

Then theres the same way Lucas @#$%ed up Episode 1, by adding in cutesy bullshit that really seemed out of place in this movie.

After getting launched on a rocket-car, Indy passes a family of Gophers/Prairie Dogs, who watch him race past. Ok, not so bad for a one off thing.

Then after surviving a nuclear explosion, his refrigerator lands in front of another prairie dog, who looks at him and then scampers off into a hole.

Maybe it's that the CGI looked really really crappy for it to ruin the whole thing of Lucas saying "Look, I made it for kids! GIVE ME MONEY!!!!!"

Then there is Mutt, who during a jungle chase scene gets caught on a vine, he sees a monkey who shares the same hair as he does. In about 2 seconds the other monkeys starting leading him towards the chase again, he gets there by going Tarzan along with the monkeys, swinging from vine to vine to get back.

Then upon retuning the monkeys attack the Russians.

While comical, it did lead Indy in a new direction from "Ok yeah, swinging from a whip, that could actually work" to "WTF, how could he do that so damned quickly, and does having the same hair actually mean monkeys will help you?" type of fake.

Then theres the effects themselves, I have no idea if they actually shot in different locations, if they did, Lucas picked some crappy locations, as every set(aside from the University set, which I think is the only actual on location set they shot on) was pretty much some foliage, then green screen.

It's like they took a couple steps backwards in modern computer effects, the backgrounds looked fake as hell, and not in the good way, more along the lines of the Speed Racer "makes me wanna vomit it looks so stupidly fake."

The biggest gripe I have with the movie, they actually showed the alien, full blown cgi alien, and a ship. Instead of hinting to something supernatural or paranormal in the other films(yeah we saw faces melt, but we were never told what actually the Ark was, what was in there to cause it), but in this they showed the whole alien and the ship he and the 12 others came in on, they showed the whole shebang, kinda ruined the whole thing.

I didn't go into it all, as I need to head off to my morning class, but, yeah, it was worth seeing, because it was Indy. But it did feel like the worst of the 4 films, the very worst. I kinda wish I had waited for it to come out on DVD and rented it.

These are pretty much my complaints as well. I mean, there were times I was cheering and having a good time, then I'm like, what's this Tarzan stuff?

And please don't get me started on that alien.

Also, it seems like they spend half a movie gawking at stuff in tombs. Ok thank you.

I'll give it a 7/10, because it's Indiana Jones and did have some genuinely exciting/funny parts...which of course exclude the prairie dogs. I kind of need to let the movie sink in a little before I render my final verdict, but it was enjoyable enough.

You are the first two that I have heard that don't like this

It's an alien thing? Weird.

Wheeljack35 wrote:You are the first two that I have heard that don't like this

I liked it. I was cheering with a lot of it. But there were some moments that were incredibly ridiculous....which I suppose is in full Indy fashion. It's just some of it wasn't as exciting, and felt a tad unnecessary.

I just need to absorb the movie for a bit.

Agreed, they pushed it just passed too ridiculous.


Think about it, lets say that for Indy and the Lost Ark, after opening the Ark and the nazi face melting, Jesus shows up and says "Yo, sup Indy? Thanks for getting the Ark, heres a cookie." Instead of showing the Ark get slapped in A-51.

That would be pushing it past the Indy formula of giving that there is something supernatural about (insert artifact here), and flat out saying "hey yeah, Jesus exists, don't open the ark, he'll melt your face, then T-bag your corpse before you respawn"

This is what they did for Crystal Skull, instead of leaving you wondering about the actual mythoi behind the crystal skulls, so afterwards you go around checking out articles about it online. Or leave you questioning if there was something paranormal/supernatural/extraterrestrial behind the skulls, they flat out tell you.

They just say "the crystal skulls are alien skulls, heres their ship, they travel through dimensions.

No wondering about it, nothing left to the imagination.

I mean it wouldn't have taken much, all they really would have had to do is cut out the ship being seen in it's full glory, and the skeletons combining into a living alien to make it work.

But they failed, they just flat out handed everything on a platter, no puzzles to really solve(John Hurt's character was like a Strategy Guide for the movie), nothing left to the imagination they flat out tell you it's an alien, because apparently we're too stupid to come to that conclusion on our own.

I dunno, I had very high hopes for the movie. I agree with MB2, I cheered, clapped, hooted and hollered along with everyone else when it first showed Indy, and when the credits rolled.

But that was only because it was an Indiana Jones film. As a stand-alone script, they failed miserably at it.

And honestly, ask yourself(not to any one person), if it wasn't Indiana Jones, would it have had the same effect on you, been as good?

Well I will see it this weekend and I think Moses had more to do with the Ark then Jesus being it was 1500 BC.

Senor Hugo wrote:
I mean it wouldn't have taken much, all they really would have had to do is cut out the ship being seen in it's full glory, and the skeletons combining into a living alien to make it work.

Exactly.

I think it was a stretch to make the whole thing be about aliens but I like the movie enough I could have dealt with it. Those two things you mentioned killed it.

Overall, I'm glad they made another one and I'm sure I'll see it again and buy it the day its released on dvd, but it doesn't compare with the other movies. This one is fan-wank, but we all need that sometimes.

I think your being way too critical, almost like you wanted to not like the flick.

The argument about exposing the aliens and explaining who and what they are full out as being a mistake and taking away the mysticism, ummm, isn't that what went down in Last Crusade as well? There was nothing left to the imagination. Not even just what happened between Jones Sr and Elsa. If they really wanted to spoil it, they would have had indy go with them on their inter-dimensional joyride.

As for everything else, well of course it's ridiculous. It's indiana Jones for crying out loud, it's supposed to be absolutely frickin bonkers and over the top. It's supposed to have those scenes where you go "okay indy, now you are so totally F###ed". Then he somehow gets out of those situations alive and you're just sitting there laughing your ass off at the absurdity of it all. Thats been the series selling point since day one. Even the cool chase scene through the jungle was nuts. One could ask; "who the hell builds parallel roads in a Jungle?" Then you either make "tsk" noises throughout the scene, or you shut up, stop asking questions, and enjoy the ride.

As for me, I loved it. Loved all of it. Loved the cheesiness of it, loved the action scenes, loved the return of Marion Darkholme, loved the whole effed up family dynamic of the Jones clan, and just thought that this really did feel like a worthy sequel to the Indiana Jones Saga.

I'm surprised they never complained about the 700 year old Grail Knight who sat there all that time in that little room

Well I never said that I did like that bit about the Last Crusade. I enjoyed the story with how the Templars ended up protecting the Grail until new Templars would come to take over.

But aside from that small bit at the end of Crusade, the story was pure Indiana Jones.

I honestly tried to love this movie, if I wanted to not like it, I wouldn't have ended up planning to see the midnight showing with 12 other of my friends.

Like I said, I'm a huge Indy fan, and I went in expecting great things, the same awesome feeling I got when watching the other films.

But while Crystal Skulls did have those parts that gave the feeling. It was a let down.

Not as bad as some films, like Speed Racer, but more along the lines of, like I stated earlier, TMNT 3 or Pirates 3.

Have you getting the new figures?

Wheeljack35 wrote:Have you getting the new figures?

No, I rarely buy action figures anymore. Money better spent elsewhere(or on gas, damn gas.)

I hear that

I have to say that I have no urge to see it again right away like I did with Iron Man (which I saw an undisclosed number of times), but I might get it on DVD.

And yeah, if it weren't Indy, it might has well have been National Treasure. It's all about Indy. And I must say that the action was pretty nifty. High marks on the action.

Well I just saw it and I'm sorry but I must disagree with the hatred for it. I LOVED it! It was fantastic summer fui with great action, great acting, great direction, celver and solid script, amazing visuals, I could go on and on an in the end I'd have to say it well worth the price and that I'd give it a 9/10.

Well now, I guess I'm, yet again, in the unpopular romp( internet wise) aww well I'm used to it.

While I have to say that I enjoyed it for the most part, because frankly I did, I do have to agree with quite a bit of what Senor Hugo said. A lot of it really felt like it should be some other franchise of its own, as opposed to Indiana Jones at times.

Also, there were many scenes where Star Wars Prequel George Lucas' hand showed through. However, I liked that there were just as many where Stephen Spielberg's slapped his and said "NO. Bad Georgie."

I must say, if I were to pick one thing that stood out as really drawing me out of the experience...it would be that damned crystal skull. I'm sorry, but that prop looked more like a Plastic skull. Full of Candy Wrappers. In a way, that fits with the sort of 1940's serial sort of feel, but I really just found it distracting.

Liked Cate Blanchette as a sympathetic bad-guy, though.

Moonbase2 wrote:I have to say that I have no urge to see it again right away like I did with Iron Man (which I saw an undisclosed number of times), but I might get it on DVD.

And yeah, if it weren't Indy, it might has well have been National Treasure. It's all about Indy. And I must say that the action was pretty nifty. High marks on the action.

I'll wait for Ironman to hit cable

I have heard the story about the Crystal Skulls and some think it might be alien related because they don't think ancients could of made these

Plus as I said the grail knight at the end of Last Crusade

The Ark with the spirits coming out

Why not aliens we do know we are not alone

I didn't really have high hopes for this movie, yet I still managed to walk away with a "meh, i've seen it" attitude.

It was fun, and enjoyable, but Ford was clearly showing his age (or Indy's age, whichever way you want to look at it) and it just lacked something that the other three had, and I can't quite put my finger on it.

I just got back from seeing the film, and I must say I did enjoy it! I love the fact that they finally show "the room" in area-51...and the neet little peek at the things inside of said room.

I like the overall feel of the movie, there were alot of more traditional stunts done, which pleased me. I loved the car chases!

I must say that I liked this film much much more than Temple of Doom, but I never liked Temple of Doom very much anyhow(it's always been my least favorite).

That being said, there are a few things that I take issue with:

1)We know it's the 50's...but do you really expect me to believe that hiding in a lead refrigerator will save me from an atomic bomb?

2)Tarzan.... Surely there's a better way for Mutt to catch back up with the group than to do the Tarzan

3) "Jonsey"

Other than that...I loved it! I would happily watch another two movies.

Great film loved everything about it. Liked the little nods to past Indiana Jones films. I would give it a 4/4

Wayyy too critical. I saw it last night, I cheered, etc. Thought some parts were fake, yadda yadda. Sure the plot was spoiled, but guys, It's probably the last Indy ever. They can't leave a cliff-hanger with aliens watching Indy at the end, It's the last one probably. Two Unnamed characters are married, Some distant character learns he has a son. Give Lucas some slack. I thought it was great.

My wife and I saw it last night and liked it a lot. I think people dissing Indy/Ford's age are being silly, I expected a lot less physical action out of his character then we got, and even though Ford is now in his 60's he certainly didn't come across as "old."

There was great character interaction throughout the story and the effects didn't dissapoint.

The only thing I thought was slightly weak was the end scene where the skulls merge, I was thinking they could have done that a bit better. Not sure how, but wasn't quite the payoff I was hoping for.

UI'm not a big fan of the aliens but you have to remember there was always fantasy elements in these movies, plus you're talking about Mr. E.T. and Mr. Star Wars being involved.

I saw the movie earlier today and overall I loved it. There were a few parts I disliked such as the Tarzan like scene with Mutt on the vines, but overall I thought it was good. I liked all the little references to the old movies like the Ark, Jones calling his son Junior, Jones saying "This is intolerable". When Jones called Mutt junior I was expecting him to say "Don't call me Junior" as Jones said to his father in the Last Crusade. I was sad to see that Henry Jones Sr had died six years before the movie takes place, I wish I knew what he had died of, it added to the story I think and gave us that great scene of Indy staring at Brody's and Henry Jones Sr.'s picture.

I really liked the interaction between Marion and Indy, especially when they are in the sand and Indy finds out Mutt is his kid. I especially liked how they were in that dangerous situation and he starts explaining it to Mutt, and how once Mutt finds out Indy tells him he's finishing school.
I liked how they put authenticity by hiring real Russians to play the Russian Soldiers where most people would just have people who weren't Russians, as well as Indy becoming suspected of being a communist from his story, and all the other bits and pieces.
I think my biggest Disappointment with the movie wasn't something in the movie, but the media coverage of it. After Cannes it seemed like the media was giving away stuff. One article I read the day after Cannes practically tells you Mutt is Indy's son by saying that there was a relationship between them while acting like they were trying to keep you guessing, and they gave away the nuclear test scene. After that I just stayed away from news on that so the rest of it wouldn't be spoiled for me.

There would have been a lot more alien stuff in the movie from what I read it would have involved alien invaders, but Ford and Spielberg were not interested in the unsubtle depiction of alien invaders in the draft done by the guy who did Last Crusade's writer, and that Ford disliked it so much he told Lucas "No way am I being in a Steve Spielberg movie like that". I didn't mind the alien stuff as they at least tried to ground it with history and the real crystal skulls.
I hope they don't go with George Lucas' idea of having Indiana Jones relegated to a supporting role, like Sean Connery as Henry Jones Sr in Last Crusade, if they make an Indiana Jones V with Mutt as the lead. I just can't see how they can call it an Indiana Jones movie if he isn't the lead. I'm a fan of Lucas' work, especially Star Wars, but some of his ideas I know aren't the best, and I'm glad Spielberg and Ford have been there to keep him from making another mistake he would probably come to regret and disown.
I hope they'll do another Indiana Jones movie, but I'd just be happy with what we got for movies. Until then I still have the books to read, and I'm hoping to get the Novelization soon. I would have gotten it by now but it's close to $20 for it.

It all could have been a lot worse though. The alien could have been Jar Jar Binks.

I absolutely loved this movie. This is the Indy movie I've waited for almost my entire life for. It will probably be my favorite movie of the summer.

I seriously love the first 15 minutes of the movie inside the warehouse. You immediately knew that they nailed Indy.

Spoilers a hoy!:
It's a bummer that I knew the nuclear blast thing, I think that was from Frank Darabount's script and someone posted a review on.

Obscure reference: In the beginning of Raiders, there's a weird Star Wars-esque lizard sound. So it was cool to hear it in this movie. And some Wilhem Screams to be found!

I seriously cheered when I saw the ark.

This movie reminds me of that Family Guy clip of Harrison Ford running around screaming at people, "I WANT MY FAMILY BACK."

I like Marion in the movie... I just wished she punched Indy in the face for old times' sake.

Even though I always imagine Indy as a pimp, I thought it was a touching moment when Indy says that he always loved her and that no woman was like her.

I'll definitely see this again.