Summer of '08: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull

Who is your mother, again?

Welcome back to Summer of ‘08!

Early summer cinema can be quiet. Although the summer always kicks off with some tentpole films, those blockbusters have few challengers and the stock-piling doesn’t start until summer is in full swing. This is one of the last weeks we’re talking about only one movie, but it’s a big one.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull (2008)

Set during the Cold War, the Soviets—led by sword-wielding Irina Spalko—are in search of a crystal skull which has supernatural powers related to a mystical Lost City of Gold. Indy is coerced to head to Peru at the behest of a young man whose friend—and Indy's colleague—Professor Oxley has been captured for his knowledge of the skull's whereabouts.

May 22, 2008

Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Ray Winstone, Shia LaBeouf, John Hurt cinematography by Janusz Kamiński
music by John Williams
screenplay by David Koepp, George Lucas, Jeff Nathanson
produced by Frank Marshall
directed by Steven Spielberg

This entire series would not exist without Spielberg, the man behind the concept of the summer movie. Jaws led the way, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., and Jurassic Park soon followed. I even wrote about another Indiana Jones entry, The Last Crusade, for last year's Summer of '89 series.

Therefore, it brings me no pleasure to report that Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull isn't very good. It's probably not as bad as you remember, and it's easily not as bad as the 2008 reception would lead you to believe, but it's definitely lesser Spielberg.