This seemed like the right thread to post my review, so here goes. Don't worry, there are no spoilers.
Yes, this is the movie we all hoped for. Yes, everything you were hoping for happens and everything you were kinda afraid about happens as well,
but turns out to be pretty spectacular and handled in the right fashion. The movie kicks off great, fully illustrating how young Indy actually still is.
After it's intro, the movie takes a step back, we learn a bit more about the things that happened in the 20 years that passed. But as soon as Indy
meets Mutt Williams, it kicks off again and the rollercoaster isn't going to end till the very last frame.
From start to finish it breaths Indy. They took the movie from it's 30's era and placed it into the 50's, which works just fine. There are some hilarious
scenes involving greasers and just to get this out there: Shia did just fine. He's taking a side right next to Indy and he handles himself
pretty well. He never gets annoying, he never loses himself, he's just really cool the way he is and fits perfectly next to the 'old' man.
The rest of the cast is great aswell, you can tell Cate is having a great time with her russian accent, Karen Allen had to be one of the highlights
of the movie (especially when they meet <3), Ray Winstone is a funny addition, but neither he nor John Hurt really get a chance to shine. Still,
the movie makes good use of it's characters. Probably most importantly, the chemistry between Indiana, Marion and Mutt works. The Mutt-Indy
relationship in the movie reminds me of the Jr./Sr. relationship in The Last Crusade and although it doesn't reach the same dazzling heights,
it delivers in more ways then I could imagine.
The setpieces are all really Spielbergesque, ranging from rainforests and huge temples, to ancient graves or the university Indy teaches.
The movie takes you across the world, going back and forth. Story-wise, they didn't play it as safe as I thought they would. You might expect a
typical Indy story, and it is, but still, it reaches further then the previous movies did. Indy IV takes complete advantage of it's 'fantasy' edge and
for some might go a bit too far now and then. Still, you know you're watching Indiana Jones, so it should be the last thing to worry about. I
heard some complaints about the movie's ending, but I thought it was .. great. Fitting. And spectacular.
Others complained about the use of special-effects. Spielberg himself said after Cannes that they tried to use CGI only when really neccessary.
I think they did, you can tell there's a lot of CGI around, but it never takes the upper hand or distracts. So, no worries here.
The chases are fantastic, the dialogues funny, the characters worthy, the music once again breathtaking (I love how the skull has it's own score),
the stunts stunning and most importantly, Harrison Ford is as Indy as he ever was. If you never liked a single thing about the trilogy, this one
won't make you a believer, however, if you're looking for a magnificent time, it's not going to get much better then this. And well, if you're a fan
... just don't worry . The movie hints towards a follow-up that might take a different direction, but for all I care, if it's this good, go ahead
and do it while you still can.
Classic.