Massive spoiler alert! Don’t read this if you haven’t seen the movie.

Sidekick Factor: A

Ok I have to admit that Shia did a fine job here. Believable enough, and has charm of his own , as well as bringing in his own “thing” (he doesn’t need a hat!), without taking away the spotlight. He is comical but not bumbly, a wisecracker but not whiny. The fact that he can’t stand his own name as well is just brilliant. I said “there’d better be a good explanation why he’s called Mutt” earlier on and the movie delivered!

Other Supporting Characters: B-

I thought that Marion’s role was far too small, at least compared to what she was in the original Raiders. Too much focus on Shia I guess. Cate Blanchett as Irina was decent, but she didn’t really shine. I guess like some other more established actors *ahem*Sam Jackson*ahem*, she just wanted to have some fun. Ray Winstone’s character… I didn’t like him at all. I even had to look up his name again and found out it was “Mac” which you would think would be easy to remember! He didn’t add much.

Creepy Crawlies: B+

I thought that the creepy crawlies were well-used in this film. The bit with the snake was of course to remind us all about Indy’s only fear, and the army ants reminded us that they can do more than creep and crawl!

Chase Scenes: B+

The motorbike chase through campus was pure entertainment, and the main action scene through the Amazon was in the finest Indy tradition. My only complaint would be Mutt’s tarzan sequence was just too slapstick. And what the heck with all the cute animal cameos?

Plotline: C

Indiana Jones plots have always been way out there, but there were two plot points in particular that just broke the suspension of disbelief. WHAT THE F** WAS IT WITH THE NUCLEAR BOMB? Even a 7-year-old would know that no, hiding inside a few inches of lead will in fact not save you from a nuclear explosion. It’s a good thing that we don’t watch an Indy flick for a groundbreaking storyline.

And seriously, the ending? A portal to another dimension? A spaceship flies off to space? Hey Steven, this is Indy 4, not E.T. 2. Whats the sci-fi doing in my Indy movie?

References to the originals: B+

I just knew that we would catch a glimpse of the Ark sooner or later the moment they entered that warehouse! Indy’s reminiscing over photos of his dad and Marcus was also poignant (tidbit: Denholm Elliot, who played Marcus, passed away in 1992 ). Any reference to Temple of Doom is conspicuously missing though.

Globetrotting: B

Let’s see - we had the Nevada desert, a college campus, Peru, the Amazon jungle, and finally El Dorado. No better or worse than the previous films I’d say. I liked how they finally fleshed out Indy’s workplace a bit, but the latter part of the film didn’t hold much awe for me. And was it just me or was the lighting in the Nevada scenes a little fake?

Love Scenes: -

Well no love scenes, but no rating either since Indy got too old for love scenes hitched. Marion looks ok.

Indiana Jones: A

Harrison Ford can still definitely pull off Indy. I heard he refused to dye his hair for the role to become “a better looking 65-year-old”. He looks as fit as ever, and apparently still did most of his own stunts. After all, Indiana Jones has never been about slick martial arts fights or acrobatics. It’s more about his brazenness, tenacity, and oodles of luck. And that signature scowl.

VERDICT: B

How does Crystal Skull match up with its towering predecessors? If I had to rank all four, it would be Last Crusade, Raiders, Crystal Skull, then Temple of Doom. Ford proves that it’s OK for Indy to be old, and together with Shia carries the film. There’s plenty of the Indiana Jones spirit in the film, but an idiotic plot lets it down.

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