Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - possible spoilers now....

[Bryancd]

Hmmmm you know I still enjoyed the new film and it's great to see Indy back but i watched Raiders again earlier and i'm having to have a really good think. I can put Raiders and Crusade on at anytime. temple hmmm every now and again but when i think about Crystal Skull, you know i just don't think i would watch it all the time. In fact I think i'd put Temple ahead of it. Now i'm not back tracking my previous post because i enjoyed seeing Harrison back in the Fedora but when I am thinking about watching on DVD, out of all 4 films, it would be last. Shame.

Exactly how I feel. Last Crusade showed the world that they could make a film in the same wonderful spirit as Raiders, so what happened here?  :confused

[Meds]

Lucas got his own way.

[Bryancd]

Lucas got his own way.

You know it's funny you say that as it was the clearly Lucas inspired and influenced parts of Crystal Skull I enjoyed the most. And yet Lucas will be the fall guy for all the overbearing CGI and poor story telling due to his detractors (and fairly so) of the SW prequels.

[Meds]

Yup. he's a genius at coming up with characters and basic storylines, but boy you give the guy enough rope and he'll hang everyone. I just think he has a habit of doing way too much and loosing the basic premise of what Indiana Jones is, which is a action adventure serial done in the style of 1950's tv and comics.

[Jobydrone]

I dunno, I look at all the backlash and negative reviews this film has been generating and I just think that people have a problem letting go and enjoying themselves when it is called for.  For me there was nothing so offensive about the effects, CGI, or plot that limited my enjoyment of this movie in any way.  I didn't find the inclusion of aliens as the supernatural phenomenon in this movie any more unbelieveable or difficult to take than I did the power of God or dark magic in the other films.  My feeling is that this is a summer blockbuster, not a major piece of art or literature, and furthermore it's the fourth film in a series.  The first is and always will be the classic that is revered and remembered.  To me this one and the other two are just fun footnotes bringing back the magic and memories of the first in an unoffensive, enjoyable way.

[Geekyfanboy]

Ditto... that was absolutely well said...

I dunno, I look at all the backlash and negative reviews this film has been generating and I just think that people have a problem letting go and enjoying themselves when it is called for.  For me there was nothing so offensive about the effects, CGI, or plot that limited my enjoyment of this movie in any way.  I didn't find the inclusion of aliens as the supernatural phenomenon in this movie any more unbelieveable or difficult to take than I did the power of God or dark magic in the other films.  My feeling is that this is a summer blockbuster, not a major piece of art or literature, and furthermore it's the fourth film in a series.  The first is and always will be the classic that is revered and remembered.  To me this one and the other two are just fun footnotes bringing back the magic and memories of the first in an unoffensive, enjoyable way.

[Rico]

Yep - I agree with Joby and Kenny.  For me this movie was a lot of fun and it was great to see Indy in a new adventure.  Sure, it could of been a bit better, maybe a little tighter, etc. but that really didn't bother me as much as it seems some people.  I got such a big grin when Harrison/Indy first appears, reaches down for his hat and turns around to face the camera.  And for me, that's what really mattered. 

[Bryancd]

I couldn't disagree more. I have no problem "letting go" and just enjoying the movie, but this movie wasn't good. Period. My buddy I saw it with felt the same way. If it's not good, it's not good. I don't see why people feel compelled to accept that just because we got a fourth movie made we need to just shut up and be thankful. I'm glad you all enjoyed it but I don't think that the many that didn't are simply unwilling to let go, I think they are simply calling a spade a spade.

Besides, I have read what I consider some exceedingly generous reviews of movies around here under the guise of "it's a good popcorn flick" or "it's a good summer movie" blah, blah, blah. Sometimes movies just suck and it's ok!    :dry

[Rico]

Bryan - it's all just your, mine or another person's opinion.  I try very hard to say that it's just my viewpoint when I talk about any movie or TV show I discuss here or on the podcast.  I liked it - you didn't.  My view is just as valid as yours.  A movie, a book, a TV show, works of art, etc. are not bad or good.  It's what people think of them that defines them.

Last, this is the very reason I try very hard to see things as soon as they come out if it's something I am very interested in.  This means my view is not clouded by weeks or even months of other peoples views and comments.  Even though I'm generally pretty hard to sway and not easily influenced by others.  It's hard to really like something once other people have been trashing it.  Conversely, something universally praised and loved is hard to live up to the expectations when you finally see it.

A quote I always love to use in these situations is by Harlan Ellison.  He always loves to say, "Everyone is entitled to their informed opinion."  An important difference from the typical quotation.  In other words, everyone as long as you are informed (or have seen a movie) is entitled to their own viewpoint and opinion.

[billybob476]

I agree with you completely Rico. I haven't gotten around to seeing it which is why I've been staying out of the conversation. Hopefully I'll get around to it soon!

[Bryancd]

No, that's all cool, I just think to assume that someone doesn't like something because of other peoples views or that they can't let go or it's the fourth movie, ect. is presumptuous. Personally I think it's ok to not like a movie not because you have some deep seeded predisposition against it but just because it's just plain not good in the viewers opinion.
I'm really responding to what Jorby said.

[Meds]

Well I saw film the day it came out and I gave my opinions as soon a  I saw it, which i think are generally still the same, good film, not Raiders, Rubbish ending (first ending with the damn ship, not final ending that was cool). I agree with Rico, but i so agree with Bryan. It's a good film and Harrison is fab, but would you (out of choice) put it on before Raiders? before Crusade?, before Temple? Thats what is important in a Indy fan kind of way. Seriously, now you have seen it and the hype weather created here or on other media networks has now died down can you seriously put The Crystal Skull in the category of I'll throw a film on for something to watch. You know i don't think i can. I love Indy films, and i did enjoy the new film but when i ask this question, i really am stuck.

[Omra]

I tried to go and watch the movie with an open mind and no preconceptions.  And as such I enjoyed the film, it was fun and entertaining.  But it did not feel like an Indy movie...

I am sure some of it had to do with the SF theme of the movie, that seemed very out of place for an Indy movie.  Which has traditionally been metaphysical in nature.  And God knows there are still plenty of legends and treasures to be found out there, so why the need to go SF is beyond me.

But what bugged me the most was something I could not put my finger on until days latter.  It was the lack of location shots, one of the things I always loved about an Indy movie was the exotic locals.  The cultures and their music and foods and art.  Everything in this movie seemed shot on a soundstage.  I think the digital look of the movie may have had a lot to do with it, too much digital work will pull the audience back a bit from the sense of realism, and danger that was another Indy trademark.

Bottom line though, it was still fun.  And in the end that is what matters most to me, was I entertained?  Yes.  Did I laugh?  Yes.  Thank you George and Steve.

[Bryancd]

I tried to go and watch the movie with an open mind and no preconceptions.  And as such I enjoyed the film, it was fun and entertaining.  But it did not feel like an Indy movie...

I am sure some of it had to do with the SF theme of the movie, that seemed very out of place for an Indy movie.  Which has traditionally been metaphysical in nature.  And God knows there are still plenty of legends and treasures to be found out there, so why the need to go SF is beyond me.

But what bugged me the most was something I could not put my finger on until days latter.  It was the lack of location shots, one of the things I always loved about an Indy movie was the exotic locals.  The cultures and their music and foods and art.  Everything in this movie seemed shot on a soundstage.  I think the digital look of the movie may have had a lot to do with it, too much digital work will pull the audience back a bit from the sense of realism, and danger that was another Indy trademark.

Bottom line though, it was still fun.  And in the end that is what matters most to me, was I entertained?  Yes.  Did I laugh?  Yes.  Thank you George and Steve.

See, I appreciate that. A fair and balanced view. If anyone actually read what I wrote, I REALLY enjoyed the first 25% of this movie and I explained why. I wasn't pre-judging it at all, I was having fun until the film began to fail for me. I for one much more appreciate a review of a movie which highlights it's positives and negatives, especially when there is such a mixed opinion about it. I'm not disappointed I saw it, I just wish it had been so much more and I think they missed a great opportunity.

[Omra]

If what I have been hearing is true they are preparing to hand the whip off to Shiloh, when that happens it will be a whole new ballgame.

The day it becomes  'The Adventures of Mutt' or whatever they will be calling it, I think people will be more accepting of a new style and look.  Because they will no longer be comparing it to the older movies but accepting it as something NEW!  And different!