quote:

Originally posted by fuldog:
This trailer is supposed to be playing in some US cities before Indy, anyone seen it? Looks quite interesting.

Yeah, I saw that trailer. Not sure whether I'd go see the movie, though the movie looks like it's well done.

(spoilers)

UberDog, your review nails it. I admire you for finding honesty when it's hip to be reflexively abrasive and cynical (the blogger's pandemic). Anyone can destroy.

To those fakers who say, INDY DOESN'T GET BEATEN TO PULP LIKE HE DID BEFORE. You try living through Boomsburg, then a rocket sled. Then iron fisted Russians.

To those who whine, ZOMFG PALEOCONTACT SO UNBELIEVABLE. You try making a jewel amplify the sun's light and emit noise; you try taking out a man's heart while he's alive, without surgery; you try pouring water on a bullet wound to heal it.

To those who pretend THE EFFECTS WERE OVERDONE, rewatch the end of Raiders.

The movie sparkled like crystal. Anyone else smile at the 80's Paramount logo?

So, those natives lie around all day (& night) hiding behind breakaway tunnel walls in the jungle waiting for *someone* to wander by?

How did the conquistador get in to get the crystal skull, and get out, putting the "obelisk" back, with all that sand?

Sorry, this one seemed to lack all sense of wonder and amazement for me. I loved the first three.

I'm sorry it let you down. At least you've got The Dark Knight coming.

And in 2009, "the return of the king", James Cameron.

quote:

So, those natives lie around all day (& night) hiding behind breakaway tunnel walls in the jungle waiting for *someone* to wander by?

How did the conquistador get in to get the crystal skull, and get out, putting the "obelisk" back, with all that sand?

First of all, the Mayans were all killed when the colonization of America was happening by the Spanish, so it made no sense to have magical protectors (where as in last crusade it did because the crusader orders still exist even in today's society)

The sand bit is an excelent point, not to mention that there is water under it, so the sand would have turned to mud anyway. (not to mention that mud would have made more sense since they weren't near any sand rather wet lands and tropical forests :P)

Dunno perhaps they figured people like us that scrutinize films to ever last detail don't exist any more. Now I could have enjoyed the film but it lost me at the point where Kate Blancet started using Vulcan Mind Melds on people .

OH and yeah Dark Knight ftw! Cristian Bale is my fav actor because he manages to play Jerks so well hahaha Batman was suppose to be a cocky bastard IMO.

The Conquistadors did defeat and subjugate many indigenous peoples -- most, though, even despite horrific slaughters (Uruguay's Churrua and Chana) were not "all killed". (In Indy 4, there are no "Maya" anyway).

Many Inca-descended tribes, like the Amahuaca, Matses, etc., still flourish in Peru. And their presence in "Indiana Jones" is not without precedent -- remember the opening of Raiders?

As for the apparent mystery of Orellana's prior visit: plunderers seldom use the front door. True, the gilded chamber seemed unviolated -- with the numinous powers exhibited by the "crystal", however, this isn't necessarily surprising. As well, whether 16th Century Spaniards had seen the place or not, we've already noted a protective tribe. Five hundred years is ample time to reset elaborate portals.

Back to THE DARK KNIGHT, I'm excited at Bruce's "transitional" skyscraper apartment. The production designers (Crowley, mostly) are drawing from the best, the Vulgate of "classical modernism". I made this comparison chart as an example:

looks a bit cramped not bad, I don't think the grunge quite works though. White vs Brown isn't a good mix. I like the reference image though. Cristian Bale belongs in a contemporary style for some reason, maybe its american psycho and equilibrium rubbing off on me but I can't see him in anything outside of that. And when he walks around the grunge he looks cleaner than everyone else which is what really works for his characters (which is why he's such an awesome Neutral actor to choose since he can do both bad guy and good guy). Relating that to the scenery is important as you've got to make use of your character's and actor's assets in relation to the world they are involved in. I found his performance in Reign of Fire to be a bit lower hence why I can't help but feel he belongs outside of the grunge.

-- now back to indy

The point you made is very valid and true and would have made plenty of sense had they pointed that out. (For instance Indy could have said something when they saw that "grave diggers will be shot sign") its those minor details that I wish were in the film - as I do wish with previous films such as Raiders and Temple of Doom (Last Crusade however explained itself quite well due to the rich history involved with the story).

Reminder that some of the people viewing the film haven't had the luxury of studying every minor detail of history so they will most likely need it pointed out if they are to figure out what is going on. But then I guess Lucas figured people just wanted the action and none of the story (again this was lacking from the star wars prequels - except Episode 1 because IMO that had neither )

This post has gone for too long already Good night.

I came to the film having deliberately avoided all spoilers and all internet sites (apart from the Lego one) and having only seen the trailer. I also came to it with an open mind, and hopefully, the mind of a 13 year old, as I went into Raiders 27 years ago. I've learned my lessons of going in to action-adventure movies aimed at 12 year olds as an adult with the Star Wars prequels.

So, to me, it was great, brilliant, pure Indy from beginning to end. The only bit I found slightly over the top was Shia LeBeouf swinging through the trees, the rest was just classic Saturday morning cinema.

A couple of people I know who've seen it complained about the "sci-fi" aspect, but I can't see any difference between that and the Ark of The Covenant or The Holy Grail, except that the people who didn't like the "sci-fi" story are more familiar with those religious legends than the crystal skull myths, Nazca lines and Von Daniken.

If you're looking for historical accuracy and continuity, or you want a story you can deconstruct, I suggest that Indiana Jones is not for you. If you're looking for adventure and fun that an 8 year old can enjoy as much as an 80 year old then you can't beat Indiana Jones. I plan to go see it again once the fuss has died down and the cinemas are less busy.

quote:

Originally posted by Metro Dynamics:
(spoilers)

UberDog, your review nails it. I admire you for finding honesty when it's hip to be reflexively abrasive and cynical (the blogger's pandemic). Anyone can destroy.

To those fakers who say, INDY DOESN'T GET BEATEN TO PULP LIKE HE DID BEFORE. You try living through Boomsburg, then a rocket sled. Then iron fisted Russians.

To those who whine, ZOMFG PALEOCONTACT SO UNBELIEVABLE. You try making a jewel amplify the sun's light and emit noise; you try taking out a man's heart while he's alive, without surgery; you try pouring water on a bullet wound to heal it.

To those who pretend THE EFFECTS WERE OVERDONE, rewatch the end of Raiders.

The movie sparkled like crystal. Anyone else smile at the 80's Paramount logo?

That logo was great. And that Russian gives him a fair ass-kicking.

quote:

The movie sparkled like crystal. Anyone else smile at the 80's Paramount logo?

that was the *best* touch... loved it.
i took my sisters to see this, we saw Raiders together a few months ago and they loved it. they're 13 and 12, so i went in, as Krad did, with the mindset of an early-teen.
and loved it, from beginning to end! my only quibble would be the Shia-swinging-like-a-monkey scene. other than that, pure superhappy suave adventure Mayan/Incan/alien fun time.

Krad, Uber, green --

I wish I could see it again with you all!

I haven't been as captivated since . . . I don't know when! I saw it at the SF Bay Area's "big theater" of choice, San Jose's Century 21 (blissfully non-bisected, unlike the other two), and the packed house was delightfully responsive. I can't remember the last time I've reacted so frequently at a movie.

For me, not only was the "scifi" element perfectly suited to Spielberg's streamlined, atomic 1950's, I actually found it more palatable than the original gods-empowered conceits. (I hope Hasbro makes a temple "Sportmodel" toy . . .)

And, unlike certain IMDb crybabies, I'm extremely happy the movie was NOT "Last Crusade II".

UberCanis, were you at all inspired to make "Indy 5" notes? I think I might have an insanely good "MacGuffin", as it's popular to say nowadays.

The only other thing I missed? I thought, just at the point you see the shadow of Indy put his hat on, that they could have used a full blown title sequence with the music. It may have slowed the film down a little, but you really can't beat the Indiana Jones theme for setting the tone for an action adventure.

quote:

Originally posted by Metro Dynamics:
Krad, Uber, green --

I wish I could see it again with you all!

I haven't been as captivated since . . . I don't know when! I saw it at the SF Bay Area's "big theater" of choice, San Jose's Century 21 (blissfully non-bisected, unlike the other two), and the packed house was delightfully responsive. I can't remember the last time I've reacted so frequently at a movie.

For me, not only was the "scifi" element perfectly suited to Spielberg's streamlined, atomic 1950's, I actually found it more palatable than the original gods-empowered conceits. (I hope Hasbro makes a temple "Sportmodel" toy . . .)

And, unlike certain IMDb crybabies, I'm extremely happy the movie was NOT "Last Crusade II".

UberCanis, were you at all inspired to make "Indy 5" notes? I think I might have an insanely good "MacGuffin", as it's popular to say nowadays.

I was actually think about what would make for a good fifth film yesterday.

Lucas has intimated he wants to "hand over the fedora" which of course is a bad, bad idea, but still...

quote:

Originally posted by UberDog:

quote:

Originally posted by Metro Dynamics:
Krad, Uber, green --

I wish I could see it again with you all!

I haven't been as captivated since . . . I don't know when! I saw it at the SF Bay Area's "big theater" of choice, San Jose's Century 21 (blissfully non-bisected, unlike the other two), and the packed house was delightfully responsive. I can't remember the last time I've reacted so frequently at a movie.

For me, not only was the "scifi" element perfectly suited to Spielberg's streamlined, atomic 1950's, I actually found it more palatable than the original gods-empowered conceits. (I hope Hasbro makes a temple "Sportmodel" toy . . .)

And, unlike certain IMDb crybabies, I'm extremely happy the movie was NOT "Last Crusade II".

UberCanis, were you at all inspired to make "Indy 5" notes? I think I might have an insanely good "MacGuffin", as it's popular to say nowadays.

I was actually think about what would make for a good fifth film yesterday.

Lucas has intimated he wants to "hand over the fedora" which of course is a bad, bad idea, but still...

The man has to hand it over. He's old. And it isn't necessarily a bad idea. It is, rather, a wide open prospect as capable of delivering greatness as futility.

Once upon a time there could be no other Bond than Sean. (Although I hate Bond flicks, still, the principle applies.)

Worked for Darren Stephens too. Would never have worked for Samantha though.

Great Review!

Must go again!

PS, should these developments bear out, the Ptolemaic "Sema" is not exclusive to Cleopatra. It is also the resting place of her ancestor, Alexander the Great!

I'm again feeling the "KV-63" electricity. (I hope the Alexandrian discovery has a better outcome!)

UberDog, I'll e-mail you my Indy 5 adumbrations, what few I've penned.

Please do.

At some point maybe he should go in search of Graham Hancock.

Or Leonard Nimoy.

With his sidekick, Erich von Sitchin.

PS, email sent.

They will seek the Chariot of the Gods, led by the lost and almost forgotten diaries of Thor Heyerdahl.