tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post5534262108095150088..comments2024-03-29T04:57:26.162-04:00Comments on John Kenneth Muir's Reflections on Cult Movies and Classic TV: CULT MOVIE REVIEW: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls (2008)John Kenneth Muirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-48936654840428290972012-02-21T12:18:33.672-05:002012-02-21T12:18:33.672-05:00I have to say that I could not disagree with the r...I have to say that I could not disagree with the review more. I'm not a purist and yes, I know that this franchise is not based on realism, but omg! you might as well as given IJ a cape and a blue and red suit and called it a day. <br />Of course Spielberg is a technical master of the craft, noone is disputing that, but this is by far, FAR the worst installment of the franchise. Like comparing Godfather 3 to Godfather 2, G3 looked good, and Coppola knew the material better than anyone, but it was wrong, all wrong, and worst still..... completely unnecessary. Same here, this film was made at least 10 years too late. My suspension of disbelief was challenged by seeing a man, supposedly now in his 60's, mid 60's, in the action sequences he was in. Speaking of action sequences, they were technically sound, you expect that of a Spielberg directed film, but this movie was just...flat.<br /><br />If I recall, at the time of release, 'Temple of Doom' was lambasted as a dark and cynical film, child slavery and whatnot.<br /><br />It is hard to believe that JKW could watch 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' and still think that this film "fit like a glove". Impossible to believe actually. This was an unbelievable cartoon of a film. And yes, it now ranks in the top 25, Spielberg and Indiana Jones and Lucasfilms, really? is that so surprising? That's like putting Jordan, Bird, and Magic Johnson on a team and being surprised that they won a championship. Name recognition alone can account for 250 million. <br />Dark Knight in the next theater? I should have gone.Trenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00419980258148279356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-36851738198314508072010-08-19T20:53:45.781-04:002010-08-19T20:53:45.781-04:00Excellent read! You back your opinion up with conv...Excellent read! You back your opinion up with convincing and coherent arguments. This film was met with disproportional cynicism. I only disagree with the last part - IMO, the film is one of the greatest cinematic adventures I've ever experienced!Gustavohttp://mulhollandcinelog.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-80311032246053323192008-08-12T09:22:00.000-04:002008-08-12T09:22:00.000-04:00I think Indiana Jones was a fine movie, lots of cl...I think Indiana Jones was a fine movie, lots of classic and funny quotes but with the usual quirks of CGI gophers and Nuclear fridgesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-19476428005579745432008-08-09T18:27:00.000-04:002008-08-09T18:27:00.000-04:00Oh, yes, the Temple of Doom raft stunt and the tri...Oh, yes, the Temple of Doom raft stunt and the triple waterfalls are indeed ridiculous! No argument between us there... :)<BR/><BR/>I also agree that Crystal Skull fits in just fine with the rest of the series. Those who say it doesn't are, as you suggested, not paying attention.<BR/><BR/>Until next time!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-18666644504376212042008-08-09T14:25:00.000-04:002008-08-09T14:25:00.000-04:00Jason:Thanks for the point of clarification on Ind...Jason:<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the point of clarification on Indy's submarine jaunt in Raiders. Perhaps it didn't submerge at all on the trip. In which case, I shouldn't have used it as an example...<BR/><BR/>But I stand entirely by my comment on the raft in Temple of Doom, and it being no more ridiculous than surviving three waterfalls! :)<BR/><BR/>I do think you have a good argument to make about Raiders being a bit more "grounded" than the sequels. I just don't see Crystal Skulls being overtly out-of-step with the franchise in those terms. (Which some people do, I guess.)<BR/><BR/>Thanks for commenting!<BR/>JKMJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-68697890739316131602008-08-09T14:18:00.000-04:002008-08-09T14:18:00.000-04:00General agreement with all your points -- I loved ...General agreement with all your points -- I loved <I>Crystal Skull</I> myself and was luke-warm at best for the dour <I>Dark Knight</I> -- although the fridge scene went just a little too far for my tastes. (I hadn't considered the "duck and cover" angle, though -- viewed in that context, it's far less objectionable.)<BR/><BR/>However, I have one tiny nit to pick, regarding your comment about Indy holding his breath for hours aboard a submerged Nazi sub in <I>Raiders</I>. That's a misconception that I hear a lot, but in fact we never actually <I>see</I> the sub submerge or surface in that sequence, and indeed the diesel-powered submarines of that era spent a lot of time running on the surface. They only submerged (and switched onto precious battery power) when they were attacking or hiding from attackers. For a simple point-to-point transit in the Mediterranean, it's perfectly realistic to assume the sub wouldn't have submerged at all.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I maintain that the first film in the Indy series is more or less realistic (at least as realistic as any other action movie), and that the more over-the-top stunts didn't come along until the sequels... but that's just my opinion, I guess.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com