Indiana Jones 4

It's been damn near two decades since our favorite whip snapping, archeologist professor was seen in action. After countless script rewrites, cast negotiations and budget disputes the fourth and purportedly final "Indiana Jones" installment has finally made its way to theaters. So was it worth the wait? You bet your ass it was!

For those quick to compare "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" to predecessors including the classic "Raiders of the Lost Ark", their most likely going to be disappointed in the route the latest "Indy" entry ventures down. While it stays true to its roots, the new generation of film goers have grown up in a time where action movies have changed drastically from those released twenty years ago thus Spielberg had to make a significant choice. Present a motion picture consisting of dated techniques which would have failed miserably at the box office, or throw in some new angles in order to appeal to his new audience. Obviously, for financial reasons, the director stuck with the second option.

I actually enjoyed the film's concept which pulled a large amount of material from a popular urban myth regarding a spaceship crashing in New Mexico. Fortunately, the legend is so well known that even younger viewers have enough knowledge to understand the movie's primary focus.

Obviously technology has improved greatly over the years thus the special effects are superior next to the dated effects seen in any of the film's predecessors. Unfortunately, the actor behind the worn hat and deteriorating whip, was faced with time himself. While Harrison Ford still has heart for his work, he wasn't able to perform near as many of his own stunts as he did in the previous "Indiana Jones" flicks.

Other actors include the up and coming action star, young and aggressive, Shia LaBeouf who wasn't used nearly as much as he should have been. Coming hot off the massive success of "Transformers", we expect a little more from the actor than a few lines and a bad hairdo. On the other hand, Cate Blanchett is superb as the film's leading antagonist. Saying she's evil is an understatement. She's a product of a heartless villian with no intention of granting mercy upon her victims.

A few plot holes stick out severly and at times, several scenes are seemingly irrelevant. The action is intense, however, and the overall execution is exceptional.

Starting the summer off tremendously, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" is a solid installment in the popular franchise, but obviously doesn't compare to any of the film's predecessors merely because with a new generation of audience undoubtedly comes a new form of execution. Overall, however, its a great summer popcorn movie providing endless enjoyment from start to finish.