OK for kids 11+
Fourth Indy isn't perfect, but it's fun. OK for older tweens
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Indiana Jones' fourth adventure is one of the most anticipated movies of the past 20 years, and kids will definitely want to see it. It bears the marks of classic Indy fare -- meaning lots of adventures, some of which (like a scene involving killer ants, or another involving an atomic bomb test) might be too spooky for younger kids. There's a supernatural and extra-terrestrial undercurrent and lots of punch-heavy good-guy-versus-bad-guy fights, which do have some blood (as well as plenty of weapons, including swords and guns). There's also a bit of light swearing ("s--t," "son of a bitch," etc.) and innuendo, and enemies routinely hurl unpleasant threats at each other. But it's all handed with roguish, acerbic Indy wit, which makes it -- for the most part -- all in good, popcorn movie fun.
- Families can talk about what Indiana Jones stands for. If he's a good guy, why does he break the rules? Is that OK? What separates him from the "bad" guys? Are real-life bad guys as thoroughly evil as the ones in movies? Where does Mutt fit in? What does he have in common with Indy? How are they different? Families can also discuss the ongoing appeal of the Indiana Jones series. Why is Indy so popular? Why is it so hard for other movies to duplicate the Indy formula? Do you think the franchise needed another movie? Why or why not?
The good stuff
-
Messages: Many double-crosses take place; a friend becomes disloyal, which endangers Indy; a long-buried lie is uncovered; enemies are portrayed one-dimensionally as purely evil; lots of bickering between a few of the characters (though there's lots of affection, too). Nevertheless, all of the havoc that takes place appears to be for the greater good.
What to watch for
-
Violence: Plenty of it, mostly played out in typical adventurous Indy fashion: Characters shoot at each other; there's lots of punching, kicking, and shoving; swords are pointed at enemies' throats; characters attack each other with guns and swords from moving cars in one extended scene. Minor characters are killed in various ways -- gunfire, falls, crashes, etc. One group goes out in flames when a powerful rocket ignites. A few parts may scare young kids -- especially a sequence in which a sea of killer ants engulfs victims, or an early scene in which Indy is nearly the victim of an atomic bomb test (scary images of mushroom clouds and exploding houses/mannequins). Also expect lots of skulls and mummies and other spooky-for-young-children elements.
-
Sex: Some sexual banter, but nothing lewd.
-
Language: A few uses of words like "bulls--t," "shut up," "son of a bitch," and "damn." One or two "s--t"s.
-
Consumerism: Period-accurate signage for buses, the U.S. Army, laundry soap, airlines (Pan Am).
-
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Very little. One character appears inebriated at one point, but it's just implied.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Action packed Indy returns, great story and a definite Go! by elibutton
I thought this movie was pretty good in regards to the return of Indiana Jones. It brought back some good memories from the past Indys with the stunts, action, and acheological mystique and storyline. Some parts may remind you of Back to the Future as well as National Treasure. Shia LaBeouf doesn't "overdo it" in his acting performance as he usually does which makes it a more pleasant blend between him and Harrison Ford. It was great to see Karen Allen's character back (Marion) as well, although it's been so long since the last Indiana Jones you may not be able to recall their relationship's dynamics. The scenes and sets were done in typcial Lucas / Speilberg fashion - - big, bold, and glamorous. Cate Blanchett also did a great job playing the Russian villan, a definite GO for this movie if you're fan of Indiana Jones and action movies.
3
Box Office Favorite by Daydream
I had high hopes for this movie, not only because I am a previous Indiana Jones fan, but because of the huge names put into this movie (Lucas, Spielberg, Ford, Blanchett...just to name a few). The new Indiana Jones reminded me of Disney's National Treasure having dry spells too frequently with quite a few stunts packed in all the right places. The stunts were a plus and probably the best part of the movie, but it seemed like a typical Hollywood storyline written to appeal to gradeschoolers. Although overlooked, Shia LaBeouf stole every scene he was in. My whole family went to see the opening, ages ranging from 4 to 67 and only my 8 year old cousin wasnt disappointed.
3
Five Word Review by redyeah
Aliens, why'd they have aliens?
2
I really wish they gave more more than 1k characters to write on this one! by redfueldelux
I along with many other fans have eagerly awaiting Indy's return for 19 long years! Honestly, this should have happened 10 years ago.But apparently Lucas was busy writing stellar dialogue for Jar Jar Binks.You would think that with such a long wait,this would rival if not surpass the previous 3.Right?Wrong!!The first 3 movies were all epic in scope,shot on location-And the stunts,while outrageous at times,were for the most part plausible as they used old-school stuntwork.However as with the current trend in todays movies,Kingdom follows suite with 90% green screen locale& sets,and totally unrealistic digitized action scenes.Even the animals were CG.I just rolled my eyes when Shiloe started swinging through the trees with digital monkeys.I at no time felt they were in the jungles of South America.As for the story,while aliens are always cool,it does not fit with Indy at all.I can understand Connery's refusal.I really wanted to like this one,but was hugely disappointed! 2 out of 5 DJJ
3
It is an alright movie, but not Indy by blufire1rmc
As an Indiana Jones fan who never had the opportunity to see one of the movies in theaters, I was cautiously optimistic for the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. George Lucas has of late been really disappointing (i.e. all of the recent Star Wars), relying on CGI to make movies instead of good writing/directing. However, I figured with Spielberg around to keep him in check, Lucas might be able to reclaim his stake in making good movies. I have to say after seeing the movie, I am very disappointed. Lucas snuck in his CGI, or course, and I can forgive that. However, much of the movie is so ridiculous it takes you out of the experience. The Indiana Jones series has always used the supernatural and sometimes absurd as plot devices, but this was too much. The movie is worth seeing just for Harrison Ford returning to the role, but this is no Indiana Jones movie in my book.
1
Quite possibly one of the worst movies I've ever seen... by jweisser
In fact, this cinematic disaster is so bad that I actually invested the time to sign up here as a member of the Fandango community because I feel so compelled to save somebody from seeing this travesty...I would almost rather play Uno or spend $4 dollars a gallon on gasoline and drive around for a couple hours listening to Yanni then see this garbage. You've got to be kdding me with the horrific story line, boring co-stars (LaBeouf...god you're a tool), and terribly disastrous special effects if you want to even call them that. I get what Lucas and Spielberg attempted to do here...sell out by appeasing this younger generation with the completely over-the-top digitalized special effects that everyone else seems to do. Tell me this...sorry SPOILER ALERT if anyone actually cares..was the inclusion of the aliens actually in line with the real myth behind the crystal skulls or was it more of a mocking metaphor to alienate their own fan base...I think the latter.
2
Embarassing by royhobbs
Ok, maybe I went into this film expecting too much, but there wasn't one thing that was beliveable or that even made sense. It felt like the script was written by a 5th grader. I hope I don't ruin it for anyone, but I knew that the movie was going the wrong direction when the bad guys couldn't hit Indi with multiple machine guns from 15 feet away. From there, Indi survives a nuclear blast from ground zero by hiding in a refrigerator, that gets blown a mile away; then Indi hops out of the fridge, dusts himself off and casually watches the mushroom cloud rise like it's the fourth of July. Seriously? ...and it never got better.
Half the time I didn't know if I was watching Pirates of the Carribean, National Treasure, Congo, X Files, or about ten other movies that they stole ideas from. The only difference is those other movies made sense. Speilberg is my all time favorite but this will go down as his worst ever, and maybe the worst of the year. He should be embarassed and ashamed.
5
It's An Indy Film! But how does it stack up against the classics? by NICKDOLL
Crystal Skull is most definitely a true blue Indiana Jones film. That being said, it is the worst of the Indiana Jones films. Not that that is all bad. I'd still take Crystal Skull over any modern action film (Spider-Man, Pirates, Casino Royale, and Iron Man included).
Anyone and everyone should see Crystal Skull, Indy fan or not, as it is the best movie is a long, long time.
Still, when stacked up against the classics, it does fall short (just barely).
SPOILERS:
The Good:
Great actions scenes. The opening at Area 5 is great as is the motorcycle chase and the graveyard fight. Good characters and Macguffin. Looks like an 80s film, is witty, really, almost classic Jones.
The Bad:
2nd half losses me a little bit. Mutt is a little worrisome and the scene with the monkeys is awful. Too much CGI in River Boat scene and often times dialog is too on the nose. Didn't really care for the ending either (riding into sunset is better).
2
WTF? by NONAMEBOY321
it was great to see all of the old characters on screen again, however the plot line was rediculous. it doesnt have all of the old stuff that makes the original trilogy so great. Too many computer effects, too little old school cheesy stunts. If you watch this one before all of the others, the others will be GODLY. SO-S0
MK
Whoever wrote this film was smoking crack at the time. Im sorry, i dont mean to be mean but WTF! you litterly took the good name of Indiana Jones and SLAUGHTERED IT! Why must you take a perfectly good idea and ruin it? I will take Lucas's and Speilberg's mothers out on a nice seafood dinner and NEVER call them again! Give me a chizzle and some sandstone and ill engrave a better script then they have in 20 minutes. OH-NO!
2
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull by just_ed
I expected more, did not compare to the older ones... with the technology, it should have been better