Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
(2008)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Blu-ray delivers stunning video and audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
Indiana Jones' (Harrison Ford) newest adventure begins in the desert Southwest in 1957 —
the height of the Cold War. Indy and his sidekick Mac (Ray Winstone) have barely escaped a
close scrape with nefarious Soviet agents on a remote airfield. Now, Professor Jones has
returned home to Marshall College — only to find things have gone from bad to worse. His
close friend and dean of the college (Jim Broadbent) explains that Indy's recent activities
have made him the object of suspicion, and that the government has put pressure on the
university to fire him. On his way out of town, Indiana meets rebellious young Mutt (Shia
LaBeouf), who carries both a grudge and a proposition for the adventurous archaeologist: If
he'll help Mutt on a mission with deeply personal stakes, Indy could very well make one of
the most spectacular archaeological finds in history — the Crystal Skull of Akator, a
legendary object of fascination, superstition and fear.
You seem to have reached the age where life stops giving us things and starts taking them
away.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull marks the fourth installment into
one of Hollywood's most prized series of films. Met with skepticism prior to its release and
somewhat mixed
reviews thereafter, Crystal Skull nevertheless proved a worldwide hit with audiences
who yearned to see the famed archeology professor, Doctor Henry "Indiana" Jones, Jr., back in
action some 19 years after he last battled Nazis and unearthed the Holy Grail, the cup from
which Jesus drank during the Last Supper. Certainly, the skepticism was not unfounded. With
star Harrison Ford in his mid-60s and director Steven Spielberg having shown the character riding
off into the sunset at the end of The Last Crusade, both the ability of its star to
adequately reprise the role and the need for a fourth film in general proved to be legitimate
concerns. Certainly, nobody expected greatness from the film or that it would better the previous
entries into the series, particularly the first and third films. Raiders of the Lost Ark is a
seminal film in Hollywood history, perhaps the quintessential adventure movie of all time that set
the standard for the series and spawned plenty of imitations (the make-believe character "Alex
Rover" as seen in the film Nim's Island being a
recent example). In the years to follow, the lesser Temple of Doom and the highly
entertaining and regarded The Last Crusade offered viewers two additional adventures
that retained the spirit of the first film but added a bit more humor to the mix. Indeed,
Crystal Skull has quite a bit to live up to, and for the most part, the film succeeds in
placing itself well into the mythos of the series. It's certainly not up to par with the first and third
films, but despite a story that isn't quite as dynamic, well-scripted, and intriguing as those found
in the first three films, Crystal Skull holds its own and, at days end, is a worthy entry
into the series. Years from now, it will likely be held in the same regard as The Temple of
Doom, a fine, entertaining film that serves as more of an extension to the series rather than
the foundation created by the first and third films.
Indiana Jones discovers the Lost Holy Grail of Crystal Skulls in a Temple of Doom.
Pulled from the trunk of a car in 1959 Nevada, Professor Henry "Indiana" Jones, Jr. (Harrison
Ford, Blade Runner) is
forced to help a squad of Soviet troops, led by the villainous Dr. Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett, The Aviator), find a
crate deep inside the U.S. Government's warehouse of curios, antiquities, and artifacts that
remain unbeknownst to the pubic inside a massive hangar at Area 51. Dr. Jones locates the
crate containing the corpse of an alien life form, and barely escapes death after learning that his
longtime colleague, George 'Mac' McHale (Ray Winstone, The Proposition) is
working for the Communists. Under suspicion of traitorous activity from the FBI, Jones is forced
to accept an indefinite leave of absence from his professorship. When he meets a young
"greaser" by the name of Mutt (Shia LaBeouf, Transformers) who
offers Indiana evidence as to the whereabouts of a mysterious Crystal Skull, detailed in a letter
from Jones' former colleague Professor Harold 'Ox' Oxley (John Hurt, Hellboy), the pair
travel to Peru in search of the mysterious artifact, but with Spalko and the Soviets hot on their
trail.
The reason why Crystal Skull works well enough is because it remains true to the spirit
of
the series. Despite the two-decade gap between The Last Crusade and Crystal
Skull, as well as Indiana Jones' unavoidable maturing during that time, both the film and the
character fit like an old, comfortable leather jacket, because both the film and the character slip
right into familiar territory. The movie never misses
a
beat in its reproduction of the style of the previous films, including Indy's trademark mannerisms,
John Williams' familiar refrains, and various sound effects. Harrison Ford plays Indy like
the
famed whip, fedora, and leather jacket were never further from his mind than the daily wear coat
rack beside his front door. The Indy films have always been about the allure of the
lifestyle, the adventure, the daring, the harrowing situations, and the charisma of its characters.
As
such, the films are more fantasy- than reality-based. They deal in the incredible, the
mythological, the spiritual, and the supernatural, and none of them are meant to be taken all
that
seriously. They are escapist entertainment, and while some films in the series definitely work
better
than others, the themes remain constant. They are about steadfastness and courage in the face
of evil ("I'm not
leaving here without the stones"), standing up for your beliefs ("That [cross] belongs in a
museum!"), and looking for answers both externally and within your soul ("Don't look at it. Shut
your
eyes, Marion. Don't look at it, no matter what happens"). Crystal Skull continues the
legacy by incorporating all of the trademark themes and styles of the previous films while crafting
a new adventure that both stylistically and emotionally captures the feel of the first three films all
the while creating a separate identity for itself, introducing new characters, and returning some
old
favorites. The passage of time is handled gracefully and, perhaps more importantly, the object of
interest and the enemies at the center of the adventure fit in perfectly with the time period
presented in the film and real-world lore, one of the major keys to the success of the first three
films.
The film is not perfect, however, but its strengths as described above outweigh the negatives
presented throughout the film. Cate Blanchett's Dr. Spalko is easily the weakest villain in the
series. Poorly developed, far from menacing, and completely uninteresting, the character serves
as nothing more than a springboard from which the movie dives into its primary plot line. It's
generally accepted by longtime fans of the first three films that the presence of ruthless,
despicable Nazis in the first and third films served as the ultimate antagonists. Nothing against
Mola Ram, but Nazi sympathizers Belloq and Walter Donavan, along with other Nazi villains --
Toht, Elsa Schneider, and even the Führer himself (in the best scene the series has to offer)
make for excellent antagonists in the series. In the late 1950s, the Nazi party, as Jones knew it,
was dead and gone. The filmmakers valiantly attempted to make the menacing Russian Bear --
the Red Soviets -- the
film's primary villains. A fine idea in principal, and a logical step forward to be sure, but the
lead villain simply leaves much to be desired, especially when compared to her antagonist
counterparts from previous films. The
special effects seen throughout are also questionable, particularly during the film's jungle action
sequence. As stated by the filmmakers, however, the goal was to create a film that is a modern
take on 1950s B movies. Through the plot line and in part through the special effects, they
succeed in creating a throwback feel to much of the film, though with the aid modern techniques.
Nevertheless, considering the scope of the effects -- particularly the jungle sequence -- viewers
should not be overly disappointed.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull marks the first of Steven Spielberg's
Indiana films to arrive on Blu-ray high definition, and the series' debut on the high
definition format is a visual sensation. Featuring standout color reproduction, fine attention to
detail, and depth, the film never offers a dull visual moment. From the bright courtyards of
Marshall
College to the dark, cavernous chambers the adventurers find themselves in later in the film, the
image never falters in reproducing excellent results for every frame. The film often features a
yellow-gold color palette; overhead lighting often places above character's heads and objects a
distinctive sheen. Likewise, many sets feature a strong yellow or golden color scheme. Indiana's
home
features
golden curtains and similarly-colored walls that offer a warm, inviting feel, and the effect is
emphasized by light pouring in through the windows. The tables at Arnie's Diner are of a similar
color,
and much of what we see in the desert nuclear test facility's 1950s neighborhood mockup also
sports a similar look and feel. Flesh tones sometimes take a turn toward this shade as well, and
they range from normal to golden to red, though the effect seems more a result of lighting and
makeup rather than being any fault of the transfer; Cate Blanchett's character, Dr. Spalko,
almost always appears ghostly white, while Ray
Winstone's character, Mac, generally appears beat red. As noted above, detail and depth are
tremendous. This transfer offers quite a bit of pop, and viewers will appreciate the strong clarity
and definition. The hazy interior of the Area 51 warehouse holds up very well, and adds to the
wonderful depth of the image that is noted throughout, again ranging from the brightest
exteriors to the most dimly lit, nighttime and interior sets. Indy's home features striking detail
across the image; the trinkets and treasures and 1950s design are sharp and lush, and the scene
is a treasure trove of fine detail for viewers to absorb. Detail is strong across the board; close-ups
of actors, particularly of Harrison Ford, reveal every age line, gray facial hair, and the famous chin
scar. Inanimate objects, such as a piece of paper revealing clues about the whereabouts of the
Crystal Skull, or the walls inside Ox's former asylum room inside a Peruvian church, offer
eye-catching imagery. Black levels are excellent with no apparent crushing. Indiana Jones
and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull offers viewers wonderful imagery that revels in the fine
attention to detail the filmmakers incorporated into the picture, and it comes to remarkably vivid
life on this Blu-ray disc.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull adventures onto Blu-ray with an
exciting Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. This mix is neither needlessly over-the-top nor
pitiful; it never features unnecessarily powerful, foundation-shaking bass or overly loud effects at
reference volume. It finds a happy
medium, one that lets the music and effects loose when necessary through a balanced, focused
soundtrack.
Action sequences are immersive but not monumentally loud, complete but not overdone. The
track
always seems to be at just the right volume with nothing going overboard for the sake of
pumping
out extraneous sounds. Bass is here in abundance, but it is always tight and precise; a waterfall
sequence in chapter 13 is as good as it gets. The bass is strong and realistic, but not superfluous
or pumped up for greater effect. Small
details, such as the rumbling of a motorcycle's engine, or the cries of a warning klaxon that
signal the
immanent explosion of a nuclear weapon, are never overbearing
but play perfectly with the soundtrack. The subsequent blast itself is impressive, with powerful
and clean lows and nice imagining, as the ultimate in manmade destructive power tosses objects
to and fro.
Likewise, the film's first action sequence in the Area 51 warehouse where discrete effects are
found
aplenty and gunfire is heard coming from all around the soundstage is as exciting sonically as it is
visually. The film's other action sequences, the climax included, simply excel. The track often
creates a fine atmosphere of subtle environmental
nuances, much like what we hear in chapter 6 as Indy and Mutt begin their search for the Crystal
Skull in Peru. A subtle breeze blows around the soundstage, leaves rustle about, and music
melds into the back. The effects are what we expect from good surround use: atmospherics,
subtleties, and the like, create a seamless environment. Unfortunately, the same cannot be
said of a diner scene earlier in the film featuring the first conversation between Mutt and Indy.
The sound design doesn't create such a robust, realistic atmosphere. Background ambience is
dim at best, and the sound doesn't match the bustling visuals we see in the background.
Nevertheless, listeners will often find themselves enthralled at the precision of the soundtrack.
Dialogue is undoubtedly strong and robust, clean and precise with nary a hiccup as it flows
through the center channel. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull's
lossless soundtrack ranks as one of the finest available on Blu-ray, and if for nothing else, hearing
John Williams' always entertaining score in full lossless glory is reason enough to add
this disc to your Blu-ray collection.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull whips up a plethora of bonus
features
spread over two discs. Disc one, sans a commentary track, begins with Indiana Jones
Timelines. Here, users may view Production, History, and Story timelines. Scrolling to a spot
on the timeline, viewers will note a picture and a caption, and selecting "enter" on any place in
the
timeline will bring up additional information for that block. Viewers will also note that
interconnected blocks from various timelines will be connected with the famous Indy red
traveling line. The Return of a Legend (1080i, 17:34) is a nice piece that begins with
Steven Spielberg discussing the fans' and Harrison Ford's desire to make a fourth Indy
film,
and George Lucas' further pushing the famed director to make a fourth installment. The
discussions range from Ford's age, the alien plot of the film that recalls the classic B movies of the
1950s, the challenges of the scriptwriting, the importance of incorporating real legends and
history into the film, and the long search for the right title. Better than your average making-of
piece,
The Return of a Legend is well worth watching. Next up is Pre-Production
(1080i, 11:44). This piece shows Spielberg's involvement with the storyboards and animatics,
the costumes, Shia LaBeouf's preparation for the role, and more. Concluding the features on disc
one are two theatrical trailers for the film (1080p, 1:52 and 1:55).
Disc two features the real meat-and-potatoes of the set. The features begin with Production
Diary: Making 'Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (1080i, 1:20:52). This six-part feature
examines the process of making the film from the first day of work to the film's wrap. Shooting
under the pseudonym Genre, we become privy to the toast opening the production
process, shooting in Santa Fe, New Mexico with its iconic, Western-like landscape, the first day of
shooting, Indy's unexpected introduction, the casting of the film's lead villain, and shooting the
film's exciting nuclear explosion sequence, all in the first segment, Shooting Begins: New
Mexico (14:27). Back to School: New Haven, Connecticut (10:23) examines the
filming of the scenes at Yale, the themes of the scenes, the wardrobe and make-up worn by
background characters, creating the motorcycle chase sequence, and more. Welcome to the
Jungle: Hilo, Hawaii (6:32) takes an all-too brief look at the perils, pitfalls, and benefits of
shooting various segments of the film in this beautiful location. On-Set Action (27:30)
examines the soundstage shooting -- spread across four different studios. The piece begins by
looking at the large action sequence that opens the film inside the warehouse, and then delves
into the advancements in the safety devices employed by the actors and how various scenes
were setup and shot. Viewers will also note sequences looking at Indy's home, including the
similarities and differences between the set now and as seen in previous films. As the piece
moves along, it examines Mutt's look, the filming of the diner fight scene, some of the later
action sequences, Harrison Ford's improvisations, shooting the Russian military camp sequence,
and plenty more. Exploring Akator (14:34) focuses on this location that plays a pivotal
role in the film's climax. Finally, Wrapping Up! (7:26) examines the shooting of the
film's final scenes.
Moving along, Warrior Makeup (1080i, 5:34) is a brief piece that looks at the difficult
process of applying the detailed makeup and prosthetics to the actors. The Crystal Skulls
(1080i, 10:10) offers viewers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the real-world archaeological
history of these objects, the creation of the props, and their place in the film. Iconic
Props examines
some of the props seen in the film, ranging from swords to the Ark of the Covenant. The
Effects of Indy (1080i, 22:42) is one of the better pieces in the set. Beginning with ILM's
Paul Huston recounting his works on the previous Indy films, he takes us through the
evolution of the special effects then and now. The feature delves into the development and
execution of various effects shots throughout the film and proves to be most fascinating.
Beginning with the
computer work in the film's magnetic opening sequence, we see the miniatures used in the film,
creating the horde of ants seen in a key sequence, and the making of the film's climax.
Adventures in Post-Production (1080i, 12:44) goes into the process of editing on film
(unusual by today's standards), finalizing the film's sound design and making it fit in with the
audible style of the previous films, and creating the score with John Williams. Closing: Team
Indy (1080i, 3:41) shows us all of the people who worked on the film through video snippets
captured during the filmmaking process. Pre-Visualization Sequences is a collection of
three sequences from the film -- Area 51 Escape (1080i, 3:51), Jungle Chase
(1080i, 5:47), and Ants Attack (1080i, 4:29) in three-dimensional computer animated
sequences. Finally, a series of five galleries consisting of conceptual art and photos from the set
are included.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is a fine addition to the Indy
series of films. Though not the best the series has to offer, the film is admirable in its faithfulness
to the rip-roaring adventure theme of the previous films, its clear depiction of good versus evil, and
its ever-present humor even in the face of the most difficult of odds. Rekindling and recapturing the
spirit of the first three films, star Harrison Ford and director Steven Spielberg carry the project on
broad shoulders, and despite a few missteps, they manage to entertain audiences, pay homage to
longtime fans of the franchise through tremendous attention to detail, and wrap up a few loose
ends while unraveling some new ones that are greeted with cautious optimism from this
longstanding fan of the franchise. Finally, a
piece of this storied franchise is available on high definition Blu-ray, and the results are most
impressive. Paramount delivers near reference quality audio and video while simultaneously
packing this two-disc set full of extra material, presented in high definition to boot. Indiana
Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull comes highly recommended!
Later this year, Paramount Home Media Distribution will bring The Complete Indiana Jones Collection to Blu-ray. Director Steven Spielberg's beloved adventure series stars Harrison Ford (Blade Runner) as the title character, a globe-trotting archaeologist whose ...
As a franchise, Indiana Jones is one of the most successful ever brought to the silver screen, so it was of little surprise that Paramount decided to green-light another installment in the popular series. Almost 20 years after he went on his "Last Crusade", Harrison ...
Paramount Home Entertainment has announced that they will bring 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' to Blu-ray on October 14th, day-and-date with the DVD release. Video for this two-disc set will be presented as 1080p AVC accompanied by a THX-certified ...
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