Reviewed by Max Foizey.

Release Date: May 23, 2008
Directed By: Steven Spielberg
Starring:Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Shia LaBeouf
Rating: PG-13

Stephen Spielberg, George Lucas, and Harrison Ford should be very proud of themselves - they pulled it off. They brought Indiana Jones back after almost twenty years, and his latest adventure is a success in every way. "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" has plenty of nods to the earlier films, but it stands on its own as a fast, fun globe trotting epic, complete with man-eating ants, new friends and an old flame. And man-eating ants. Because that's awesome.

"Awesome" is probably the best adjective to sum up all four Indy films. Lucas and Spielberg based the original films off of 1930's serials, right down to the red line on the map charting Indy's airplane travels to faraway lands. These were pulp stories full of religious artifacts, Nazi bad guys, and impossible odds for the hero to overcome.

I'm a big fan of the sleek, dark "Temple of Doom," which I find to be the pulpiest of the films, although I recently revisited "The Last Crusade" and enjoyed it much more than I was prepared to. Yes, it's the most humorous of the films, but that's not such a bad thing. Of course, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is hands down the best adventure film ever made. Nothing since has come very close to it, although "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl" had the same amount of fun, discovery, action, and scares.

Having recently re-watched the Indy trilogy of films I was struck at how utterly implausible they all are, how amazingly unbelievable. When I was a kid I thought nothing of Indy being hurt by a voodoo doll or someone staying alive after having their heart ripped out (both scenarios from "The Temple of Doom") or spirits from the Ark of the Covenant melting faces ("Raiders," of course) or even a 700 year old knight presenting Indy with the Cup of Christ (as was the case in "The Last Crusade.")

Watching the films as an adult, I had to remind myself that part of the charm of Dr. Jones is the larger-than-life world he lives in, a world where one can jump out of a crashing airplane in an inflatable raft and land on a snow-covered mountain with no real bodily harm. You'd do well to keep that in mind while watching "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

Set twenty years after "The Last Crusade," we find Indy in the 1950's. The first half of the film firmly sets us in the 50's, with nods to early rock n' roll, nuclear testing sites, and McCarthyism. Credit George Lucas with inspiring the incredible "American Graffiti" opening of the movie, before Indy is introduced. It's pure teenage rebellion on screen.

Indy's quest this time out involves finding a kidnapped colleague, Professor 'Ox' Oxley (John Hurt, really playing up the madness), and the mysterious Crystal Skull he was after. He's got to find this artifact and his pal before those nasty soviets, who attempt to block his every step. Indy is on this quest at the behest of a young ruffian named Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf) whose mother has also been kidnapped by those nasty russkies.

My biggest worry going into the film was the casting of LaBeouf, an actor who has never impressed me. I was wrong to worry, and must give him credit - Shia's character is one of my favorite things about this movie. He nails it. Mutt's got the jacket, the switchblade, and most important the bent comb for his greasy hair. Mutt's "Wild One" introduction will bring a smile to any film fan's face.

Karen Allen returns as Dr. Jones' true love Marion Ravenwood, and proves she's still a spitfire. Her first moments on screen feel perfect, and although I wish she had more screen time, she makes the ending soar. My only nitpick is Indy's sidekick Mac (Ray Winstone), who flaps his jaws a lot but never amounts to much.

Cate Blanchett cements herself as my favorite working actress with her role as the already-iconic Russian telepath Irina Spalko. She's having a devilishly fun time working in the Indy universe, and her fate is a sight to behold. (As is her haircut.) Spalko's back-of-the-jeep-in-the-jungle sword fight is one of the best action set pieces in ANY of the Indy films.

The origin of the Crystal Skulls is not hard to figure out (just look at them), and I'm sure some audience members will find the last fifteen minutes simply 'too out there.' But keep in mind this film is set in the 1950s. I feel it fits the pulp nature of the franchise perfectly, and my only complaint is we see everything a bit too clearly...I would have liked more left to my imagination. (I blame Spielberg for that decision, he loves himself some aliens.)

The rumor mill says Shia may take over the Indy franchise, and I'm all for it. I'll be first in line to see him don the fedora. But of course he won't be the REAL Indy. That's Harrison. For Ford, Indiana Jones is his most enduring character, even more so than Han Solo. (Sorry, Chewie.)

I once read a great piece detailing how Indy always failed up; that is to say he constantly got things wrong and was in over his head, allowing audiences to identify with an affable hero who didn't have all the answers, may not even achieve his goal, but would always save the day. After seeing his latest adventure, I say 'Welcome back, Dr. Jones.' We missed you.

Ready for a new kind of radio? Check out the award winning Max On Movies, every Saturday from 2-4pm on 97.1 FM Talk. You'll hear breaking news about upcoming films, reviews of the latest theatrical and DVD releases, and interviews with your favorite actors, directors, and writers. Max On Movies was awarded a Certificate of Merit in the Special Program category from the Missouri Broadcasters Association in 2007. A member of the Saint Louis Gateway Film Critics Association, Max has written about film for various print and Web media, and appeared as guest critic on nationally syndicated radio shows. Max wrote this review while listening to "Highway Companion" because he thinks Henry Jones Jr would probably be a Tom Petty fan. E-mail Max at mfoizey@stl.emmis.com