INDIANA JONES
I think it is really sad that on the second week of showing a major new film, the cinema is only a quarter full. We get new films the weekend after they premier in the big cities, so it can't be that every one has already seen the film. A few film die-hards might make the effort to travel to Lancaster, but not that many. This film has had fantastic reviews in the press, so it was a shame to see the place so empty after such a short run; perhaps it's the cost; perhaps we are all big screen effects weary!
The film starts with a high action sequence. The 'baddies' have kidnapped Indie and shot their way onto a military base, here they expect him to find a 'certain' crate among thousands. He does of course, with wonderful camera tricks and stunts. From then on there is very little let up in pace. Gone are the quieter researching type scenes and explanations; in their place are Indie jumping about grabbing at books; instantly translating; and figuring out - 'of course, that's what it is / he meant'. I kind of missed those - remember the wonderful, tatty, old note book in the Grail quest?
Also gone is the reluctant heroine, trailing behind, squealing at all the creepy-crawlies (he does us proud with creepy-crawlies!) and losing half her clothes in the process. Instead we have a polished, steel 'baddie' with a hair cut so sharp it could slice bread, and a 'goodie' who turns out to be an old flame of Indie's and a dab hand with a jeep.
I felt that the jungle chase could have done with a bit of trimming. To see a man spread-eagled between two jeeps getting battered with thistles is funny once, yes, even twice or so - but six or seven times is milking it a bit. There were plenty of shots of the jeeps racing along side each other, each side of trees, and back beside each other - plenty of shooting, looking - shouting - skull (and people) to-ing and frow-ing: touch repetitive perhaps?
It does help a bit to know your si-fi history. The plot is hung on the incident at Roswell back in (1947?), but the references are vague and the background is left unexplained. I found that, because I know what it was about, I was able to fill in the blanks - while the references went right over my son's head until we got out and I said about it, then the penny dropped.
John Hurt really does do a wonderful job as the 'absent minded professor'. He is so delightfully vague and pathetic - he is absolutely hilarious.
All in all this is Indie back, doing what he does best: and he still does it very well. It is a really good ' Chase around trying to do the right thing and make sure the baddies get their just deserts' type film.
There was a scene right at the end when Indie's hat fell at the feet of the young lad and he picks it up. He almost puts it on, and for a second or two I thought the makers were setting up the opening to make a new series of films. Then Indie takes it away from him and puts it on. Phew - no one does Indie quite like Indie does.
