Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

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You are in luck. I actually have both the time and a functional computer to write a blog review of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

It's been nearly 20 years since Harrison Ford was galloping on horseback in search of the Holy Grail in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Ford, now 65 years old, has dusted off his fedora for a brand new adventure - this time in search of a hidden, and some say imaginary, village.

Despite his age, a subject that is a running joke throughout the film, Ford definitely retains his magic as the titular character. The wit from the original trilogy remains, and in some cases is even better.

Joining Ford through this voyage is up and coming actor Shia LaBeouf. as Mutt Williams. I have enjoyed Shia since his run on the Disney show Even Stevens. And thanks to my joy of the creative process of movie making - I was able to witness Shia on the show Project Greenlight and subsequent movie, Battle of Shaker Heights. Since then he has really come alive, with hit movies like Transformers and Disturbia.

I felt that the addition of LaBeouf was very welcome. He did hold some chemistry with Ford and the future of the Indiana Jones franchise could be in his hands.

Karen Allen, who played Marion Ravenwood in Raiders of the Lost Arc, returns as Mutt's mother in this movie.

I will not dispose any of the secrets of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, but if you have been a fan of Indiana Jones in the past, then you should enjoy this movie. Like I said the humor definitely returns and the action is pretty much non-stop.

I wasn't sure if Cate Blanchett would be able to handle the job of being the villain of the film, but she certainly holds her own.

And if you are looking for the token animal attack (ie. rats, snakes, spiders), you don't have to worry - there is definitely something that attacks.

This film does have some unbelievable aspects to it. Certain things that are just pretty hard to believe. For instance, in two of the previous films Indiana goes after actual items - the Arc of the Covenant and the Holy Grail. In Temple of Doom and Crystal Skull the subject of the film is most likely fictional. Also, one of the parts of the action sequence is pretty hard to believe - but, this is a movie and it was fun to watch.

I would put this chapter pretty close to the originals. I wouldn't say it is the best of the bunch, but it certainly holds its own. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone, especially those who enjoy action. An easy 5/5 grade from me.