Movie Natters: May 21, 2008 Archive

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Movie References (Wanna play?)

Posted at 4:17 PM on May 21, 2008 by Euan Kerr (4 Comments)

The new Indiana Jones film is finally upon us and as people line up for midnight screenings tonight no doubt there will be excitement, disappointment and endless discussion of whether Harrison Ford looks old.

Well, yes he does, but it suits him, especially as he seems to have been shot in a soft focus which gives the light around him this ethereal look which makes him look vaguely saint-like. Which may be his true role if he is meant to be the Hollywood blockbuster savior this summer.

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" is a lot of Spielberg fun. On a summer evening with a packed house and a tub of popcorn it'll hit the spot.

It's a spectacle, and so don't expect it to make a whole lot of sense.

Let's face it: the charm of the Indiana Jones franchise is action-packed silliness. Lots of car chases, punch-ups, spooky archaeological sites, and if possible a combination of all three simultaneously. And of course there's the cartoon-like indestructibility on the part of Mr Jones and his all-star crew.

But here's the thing: this movie is a walking talking homage to blockbusters of the past - and not just action thrillers. It's a movie trivia goldmine. People are going to be picking up these references for weeks.

We have Shia LaBoeuf echoing Brando in "The Wild One." The crystal skull is plucked from "Alien."

I caught whiffs of "Tarzan," "The Mummy," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "ET," some "Star Wars" and at least one "Beach" movie, as well as sly references to the other Indy films. I started looking for a shark reference (this is Spielberg after all,) but didn't find it. Maybe on a later viewing.

I'd be interested to hear what other films people see in "The Crystal Skull."

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