Dr. Jones and his 1950's life crisis

Reviewing "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" in here may not be an interesting topic as literally millions of reviews and critics are available out there. Whether this is up to what fans of the franchise or general audience had hoped for, it is up to them to decide. In any case, there I was, finally watching the latest sequel in a cinema, as if it should have belonged to (which is an interesting reminder about the fact that I watched temple of the doom, while I was in UK for a trip, visiting my uncle and auntie, that was 1985!!).

Excited by the first shot, that is, the pre-1995 Paramount logo, my feeling toward this latest version was the fact that it raised a lot of questions about how Jones' character can survive as our time progressed. Here we are, in the latest instalment, where a beginning of new era - post WWII period, had looked to post more threats to Dr. Jones than any of his enemies, or snakes for that matter. His character belongs to mythical jungles, pyramid with mummy all over, and ancient artifacts which he was more familiar and how to deal with. That's why when he tried to survive from this nuclear explosion at the start of the film, it looks almost like a surreal situation (I certainly don't think Spielberg/Lucas had come to think of this). This "new" world where technology had become something probably as hard for Dr. Jones and audiences to adjust for. Hence, the story tried hard to bring him back to he belonged, with some rather obscured reasons. Only this time, he is facing another challenge, his protege, or his son, Mutt (by new Spielberg favourite son, Shia LaBeouf). Jones had been reminded how young, and more importantly, how heroic he was. Not only that, but the fact this young kid also seems to adapt this world much better than he does. Indeed, I was so afraid that Mutt would be another "Jar Jar Bink" character, which Lucas introduced at his rather disappointing Star Wars saga. Without praising the role of mutt in the film, one have to say that Mutt at least give some fresh breeze to this film (after all, watching 3 old men and one matured lady running around wasn't exactly entertaining, or more so, exciting). It almost like as if Jones are more willing (and fittingly) to move to the fatherly figures, once held by Sean Connery in the last episode.

The other thing sorrowfully missed, or rather not cover enough in the film, is the relationship between Jones and his long lost lover, Marion. The dialogue was probably the funniest in the film and doesn't feel awkward. The tension between the two characters could be have been explored much more (rather than those riddles which means almost nothing to the audience). This is probably the classic odd couple relationship (Hollywood style) in which the screenplay should make the most of it. Other side characters are so one dimension that they are merely doing the part as villain or double agents.

This change of time/atmosphere was also being echoed once again towards the end of film, where extra-terrestrial became the subject of what Jones and the gangs are looking for. The final discovery of UFO had overwhelmed Jones to say the least. It is not a battle of wits or guts anymore for Dr. Jones. It is a battle of science and technology vs. ancient myth and history, and certainly Dr. Jones had now been in the wrong side. The treasure the world is looking for now is no longer money or gold, but knowledge and information (which was so unsubtly mentioned through out the movie, so much so that it can become a educational video). Not sure if Dr. Jones can whip his way through this kind of new adventure.

It also raise further questions about resurrecting action hero from the 80's, do they really have a place in this modern world, where wits or guts are probably enough to save us? Rocky, Rambo, John McCain, Indiana Jones, Batman, Superman....this list just goes on and on. The only thing that these hero can save, is the box office for the Hollywood studio.