Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the
Crystal Skull

(M) Harrison Ford, Shia Labeouf, Karen Allen, Cate Blanchette

Growing up two films shaped my love of cinema, Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark .

Both films were rollicking adventures that transport to locales you only daydream about, so the anticipation of a fourth instalment with the man in the fedora hat has been palpable.

And the wait (19 years) has been worth it. Even though Indiana Jones rode off into the sunset signalling an end to his adventures in 1989, Harrison Ford, Steven Speilberg and George Lucas have been trying to find a way to bring the character back with a story befitting his introduction to a whole new era of fans — so he’s back in the all-new Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Nineteen years have passed for Indy too, with the film opening in 1957, at the heart of the Cold War, the threat of McCarthyism and the development of the Atom Bomb.

Indy and his sidekick Mac (Ray Winstone) have just barely escaped a close scrape with Soviet agents on a remote airfield.

On returning to college, the Dean (Jim Broadbent) informs Indy that his latest exploits have attracted the unwanted attention of the CIA and that he has to fire him. On his way out of town, Indiana meets the rebellious Mutt (Shia LaBeouf), who has a proposition for him: his dear friend has disappeared on the trail of the famed Crystal Skull of Akator, a legendary object of fascination, superstition and fear.

As Indy sets out on an adventure too good to pass up, they realise they are not alone on their quest and are being followed by Soviets led by Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchette), who believe the Crystal Skull could help them dominate the world if they could unlock its secrets.

To reveal any more of the plotline would spoil this rollicking, nostalgic adventure full of surprises from previous films and some set pieces and stunts that will give you goose bumps.

Spielberg and Lucas have gone to great lengths to make the film feel as if it follows directly from the third film. The look and feel of the film take you right back to Indy’s classic adventures, but the age gap is fodder for lots of in-jokes and reunions with old friends. The film even opens with the old Paramount studios logo that was used in the 80s, when the first trilogy was made.

All involved in the cast are excellent, with special mention of Blanchette’s performance — her icy villain is the best the films have had.

Indiana Jones has become synonymous with Harrison Ford and vice versa; as soon as he puts on that worn fedora you know your in for a ride with limitless adventure and imagination, spending a welcome two hours with cinema’s timeless action-adventure hero.

Adrian Drayton