The Indiana Jones trilogy was one of those movie series that didn't need anything else. I've watched the original films multiple times and never felt I needed one for my own generation. The first three are timeless. I've heard plenty of rumors about this newest installment and not a single one was pleasant. From alien encounters to Spielberg lying that he wouldn't use CGI and it turning out to be a CGI employee's wet dream. But either way, it wasn't one of those films I was going to miss out on. The mystique of Indy could never die down for me. He is one of my top 5 favorite movie characters of all time. So, on to the movie.

The most important question I and most viewers had going in was, "Will the 4th keep me interested in an old man with a whip?" My answer? A resounding yes! The classic Indy style of smart-ass comments and quick, witty humor is there. The supporting cast, which, looking back, is almost entirely the reason we loved the movies overall, is as good as ever. From the crazy Oxley always doing something hilarious in the background to Shia LaBeouf's phenomenal performance, it never really missed a beat. A few times, Spielberg and Co. had me scratching my head at absurdities. But even then, I couldn't help but look back at past Indy movies and think how over-the-top they've all been. Hearts being ripped from living person's chests. Spirits which only kill those who look at them. Eternal life. It's always crazy. But then again (WARNING — SPOILER AHEAD), surviving a nuclear blast by hiding in a fridge is absolutely preposterous. Beyond that, being fired through the air, flipping around at hundreds of miles per hour, with no support in a metal box and walking away with one scratch on the face is more Superman than Dr. Jones. Moving on...

                                                   

There were plenty of little things that kept me smiling. From the continuity of Mutt Williams' (LaBeouf) facial hair as it grows according to his inability to shave all the way to the characters from older movies following over into the fourth. But the one thing I really wanted to pay attention to was Indiana's potential changing of the guard. It seems too obvious for Shia LaBeouf to carry on the role made famous by Harrison Ford. He has the right age, career stability, acting ability, and slick humor. When the big secret was revealed (WARNING — HUGE SPOILER AHEAD) of Mutt Williams' real name being Henry Jones III, the journey truly began. It's no secret that Ford is getting just a bit old. Although he can still seem to perform the stunts he needs to, the torch must be handed down. And the movie's final scene was one of my favorite movie moments in the last 20 years. It said everything a true Indy fan wanted to know. Shia will take over, but not yet. Ford and LaBeouf work extremely well together and each scene with the two in it was fun to watch.

I found it easy to ignore the absurd plot involving aliens because the movie was more of a timepiece than anything. Similar to Forrest Gump, we follow Indy as he experiences most, if not all of the time period's major issues. The FBI's stranglehold on American pop culture by using Communism to control the country. Young people's urge to hold rallies against Communism. The hatred between high school "gangs" like jocks and greasers. The alien/Area 51 controversies. The nuclear bomb testing. It is all gold and it is all there. Spielberg finds a way to incorporate it all in an extremely deep plot.

                                                       

Cate Blanchett provides a surprisingly memorable performance as Colonel Doctor Irina Spalko. As the Russian psychic specialist, she seems to fit right in with the traditional Indiana Jones villains. The typical anti-American type that is easy to hate. She is highly intelligent and shows a wide array of abilities from sword fighting to mind control. Ray Winstone is always a good on-screen presences and shows no signs of wearing down here as the triple, no quadruple, no double, oh who cares agent. And of course, the return of Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood is as important as any character in the film. Her role clearly allows up to 2 or 3 more movies now. She didn't do much, but kept that same fire she explored in he earlier films.

Overall, I expected some good things from the fourth film, but it still surpassed my thoughts. It was much better than I thought it would be. As long as you can suspend your reality and disbelief for a few hours and enjoy the action and humor that goes with every Indiana Jones flick, you simply cannot be disappointed. I'm ready for number five. Please clear your schedule Shia.

  out of 5 trophies