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Would you see a fifth Indiana Jones movie?
Shia LaBeouf has told the BBC that “Steven [Spielberg] just said that he cracked the story on it before I left and I think they’re gearing that up.”
Now, for the record, I don’t consider Mr. LaBeouf a fountain of accurate information. For now, this news falls into the “Believe it, When I See It” file. But let’s just say for the sake of argument it is true. After all, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull DID make $787 million worldwide.
Are you interested in a fifth movie?
Now, I know it’s a popular sport to kick Crystal Skull around. I can HEAR eyes rolling at Shia’s “news.” Still, I call foul on that game. Sure, the movie has some pretty significant flaws. The ending especially lacked excitement, for instance. But it’s my considered opinion (explained more thoroughly here) that people are entirely too hard on Indy IV. It’s not THAT much sillier than the prior Indiana Jones movies, which I think people tend to view through the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia.
You may argue I see Crystal Skull through rose-colored glasses myself, but that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. That being the case, I’m cautiously optimistic about a fifth Indiana Jones movie. I resisted the prospect of a fourth one too, but eventually, my resistance crumpled like a smart-aleck swordsman felled by a single bullet.
What do you think? Would you see Indiana Jones and the Whatever of the Wherever?
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Coming Attractions
Comments
By Kim
June 18, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this
I agree Allie - the beef I had with the new movie wasn’t the lack of realism or even the plot really - it was that lack of characterization which is really a script failure. I believe that the actors were capable of generating that chemistry - the script just didn’t give them anything to work with. Where was the snappy dialogue, the conflict, the tension? And Karen’s time on screen felt too brief to me to get much of anything going - I definitely wanted to see more of her. I mean geez - she pops back into Indy’s life after all of this time - with their SON - and it felt like that entire plot point was rushed over when THAT was the part that I was far more interested in!By Allie D.
June 18, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this
I remember enjoying Indy IV the first time I saw it. I think it was because I was DETERMINED to like it, because I love the series so much. I refused to watch it with a critical eye. I got the nostalgia, the silliness. I didn’t expect realism. That’s never been the point of Indy movies, and I think Harrison Ford did a wonderful job. And I rather liked the alien stuff as well as Shia’s character. That being said, the film failed on repeat viewing. I saw it a second time a couple weeks later, and once there were no more surprises in the plot, I was forced to pay more attention to the clunky script. The film simply had no heart to it, and its attempts to have one felt hollow and by-the-numbers. The chemistry Harrison Ford once had with Karen Allen in Raiders was gone. It reminded me, frankly, of a Star Wars prequel. Will I see a fifth one? That depends. How much influence will George Lucas have over the script? Because if he so much as breathes on it with his long-depleted movie mojo breath, the movie will not fare very well for it. I want to see the version of the script that Frank Darabont wrote for the last movie that Lucas supposedly scrapped.By Brother Phil
June 17, 2009 4:26 PM | Link to this
I might see it after I finally get around to seeing the fourth Indiana Jones movie. The last franchise installment was too heavily panned and sort of gave me pause about investing my relatively rare entertainment dollars on the venture.By ron
June 17, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this
no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no. they about ruined it last time. the first movie is the only true classic in the bunch. second one was pretty bad, too, as i recall (i’ve never wanted to see it again, anyway), and the third was a retread with a few bright spots. no no no no.By Mick
June 17, 2009 1:32 PM | Link to this
I think people expected too much out of Crystal Skull, which was still better than Temple of Doom. Annoying acting on the Jar Jar level in that one. I’d gladly see a fifth installment.By Leon Harrison
June 17, 2009 1:18 PM | Link to this
If done right, this film franchise can be kept alive, with Harrison Ford fading away with smaller parts and finally cameos, like ya know.By ME
June 17, 2009 1:14 PM | Link to this
I too would see a 5th. Only if Harrison is in it! Don’t care about Shia. Enjoy the dynamic of a son there though. I’m with you Kim. I don’t know why people thought Ford who is now 67 years old would be the same. I think he did great and he still is the sexiest man his age.By Zack
June 17, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this
Agreed, although IV is still not as good as Raiders or Last Crusade. (It’s eons better than Temple of Doom, I’d say.) I’d definitely see a fifth one and hope for the best. However, I’d hope this would be an opportunity for the studio to release the first three on Blu-ray.By Barry
June 17, 2009 12:53 PM | Link to this
Will I see it? yes sure I will. Will I cry if it doesn’t get made? No way. I guess one thing is for sure if they reduce Harrison Ford’s role any in favor of more Shia it could be a deal breaker for me.By Kim
June 17, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this
Absolutely I would see a 5th one! I agree that #4 got a bum rap - especially for what it was with a star that couldn’t be what he was 20 years ago! I scratch my head when folks talk about the 4th being too “unbelievable” - cos of course EVERYONE knows that swirling, filmy angels of death will MELT anyone around if the Ark is opened - but ONLY if they have their eyes open. But aliens? Come ON! (assuming the sarcasm is easily detected here). They are fantasy/comic book style adventure films - who even cares if they are believable? I see Indy as a more human super hero kind of character - kind of like a McGyver with some steroids & maybe a pinch of radio-activity thrown in. :) And I found Shia’s performance to be great fun and I am interested in seeing more of him too. My only hope is that they put a bit more into the characterizations next time around, because that is what really made the earlier movies work so well. I am fascinated with Indy as a dad and want to see more of that dynamic.