Review of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) by Wade T — 13 Apr 2013

First of all, I will be revealing several plot twists from the film. If you don't want the story spoiled, don't read this review. Second of all, there will be many critics and many people who will pan the film, calling it a non-sense, over the top adventure film.

Don't listen to them. SEE THIS MOVIE.

I find it quite funny that critics will be easily ready to mark the film as a goofy adventure flick. It's so much more than that. You have eyes, you have ears: Use them. 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' is a brilliant study on 1950s culture and paranoia, the Cold War, Communism, and the thirst for knowledge. The film is a perfect emulation of 1950s filmmaking; full of goofy action, greasers and preps, and sci-fi philosophy. The true heart of this movie, however, is the relationship between Indiana Jones, played magnificently by the great Harrison Ford, and Irina Spalko, played ingeniously by the gorgeous femme fatale, Cate Blanchette. This relationship is the symbolic visualization of The Cold War. The Cold War was, indeed, a war of knowledge. It was about technological advancements, and space intelligence. Irina wants to gain ultimate knowledge and use it for selfish, patriotic purposes. Indy wants to discover the knowledge, simply to uncover the truth, and better himself. Then, we introduce some sidekicks: Mac sees knowledge as a casualty. Even though he has the knowledge that Communism is destroying human life, he joins the Reds and betrays his friends, because "they pay." Mutt Williams (Shia LeBeof), doesn't see the point in attaining more education. He'd be happy with a second rate job, doing something he already knows how to do. Indeed, Indy agrees with him saying, "If you want to be a good archeologist, you've got to get out of the library." However, when certain relationships are revealed, Indy demeaningly says to Mutt, "You're going back to finish school!".

By the end of the film, it turns out that El Derado is not a city of gold, but a city of knowledge. Knowledge is the ultimate treasure. Knowledge of the inter-dimensions, knowledge of basic human living, even knowledge of family ties. Irina Spalko, however, gains too much knowledge and isn't able to contain it. Symbolically, her eyes burst into flames as she screams the words, "I want . . . to know!".

Please, do not be turned off to the idea of alien philosophy in Indiana Jones. It fits in nicely with the series. The Crystal Skulls are ancient Mayan artifacts, just as the Ark of the Covenant is an ancient Jewish artifact. The ending to the film is over-the-top. As it SHOULD be. You're forgetting the extremely goofy (yet, symbolic) ending to Raiders of the Lost Ark, where electricity is destroyed by Jewish souls who use it to zap the Nazi's and melt off the faces of the three bad guys.

If you liked Raiders of the Lost Ark, you will like this film. It is fun, goofy, adventurous, and full of scary and grotesque creepy crawlies. I should also mention the fantastic return of Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood. But, like Raiders, this film is very symbolic, and is quite a shining gem in the world of modern cinema. You have eyes, you have ears: use them.