In the Aftermath of Indy 4
As all five of you have noticed, I’m sure, I have not yet gotten around to posting on Crystal Skull. I’m still compiling my thoughts, but there’s no getting around the fact that it was a significant disappointment. Having seen it twice now, it goes down easier on the second viewing, though I’m still relatively certain it ranks as the worst of the four. (Suffice to say I was in a state of mild spiritual crisis for about twelve hours after my first viewing on Wednesday night.)
Though both Spielberg and John Williams – who can usually be counted on to deliver a great musical score in almost any circumstance – feel like they’re phoning it in on this one, the script does seem to be the central problem. There are subplot ideas that go nowhere (McCarthyism, the atomic age, Spalko’s psychic powers), confused characterizations (the sitcom mother version of Marion Ravenwood), poorly paced action sequences (the jungle chase), extraneous characters (Mac and Oxley), and a central hero who does stunningly little to drive the narrative forward. Which is to say that the writing of the film shows all the classic signs of too-many-cooks-in-the-kitchen syndrome. Obviously, all I know is what I read about, but given the amount of writers and drafts this thing apparently went through, it’s no surprise that it came out a mess of ideas, some good and some not, with no single narrative vision to get everything to cohere. It also seems fair to lay blame for this at the feet of George Lucas, whose stubbornness and intransigence apparently forced most of the rewrites. I would give up my first born at this point for a chance to read that draft by Frank Darabont.
It should be said that the first act is very good, and promises a much better film than is ultimately delivered. The motorcyle to car and back to motorcycle switcheroo moment in the chase through the university campus is classic Indiana Jones – entirely worthy of what has come before. The alien mythos apparently bothered some, but I didn’t mind at all. I also dug the special effects extravaganza at the finale, but again it sounds like the science fiction elements would have gone over the top had Lucas gotten his way. I will give the man credit for the crystal skull idea, which is indeed the best macguffin to bless the series since the Ark in Raiders. A shame they couldn’t do more with it.
UPDATE:
I concur that the second viewing helps you past the “shock” of some of the bizarre moments of the film. You all know what I speak of (nuclear blast, swinging on a vince, the alien comes to life).
The second viewing of the film reaffirmed my initial reaction. Fun, but silly. And if you didn’t want a silly Indiana Jones movie, it seems you are awfully pissed off. I’ve heard words like “Betrayed”, “travesty” and “numbness” from others. Jeez guys just enjoy the ride. I think the film would have been hammered had it been a serious action movie starring a 65 year old. Silly seemed like a logical step.
But your points are very true: Indy himself does not throw much in moving the film forward. Marion’s return was greeted with applause, but she does nothing except smile and tell Indy he’s a deadbeat Dad essentially (maybe Spielberg could explore that concept MORE in his films, if he hasn’t already). The villain is too cartoonish to be intimidating.
Hopscotch said this on May 29, 2008 at 5:24 pm |
And Ezra Klein obviously never saw Transformers.
Hopscotch said this on May 29, 2008 at 5:48 pm |