The Russians are Coming

Or, in Praise of the Summer Blockbuster! Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

I'm not much of a blockbuster movie type, but occasionally I do see them, and am rewarded for putting my movie snobbery aside for a few hours.

I was especially rewarded very much with the latest Indy movie - I've always adored him. This movie has everything - Roswell, NM; 1949 Fords; Kodak Brownie box cameras, a wonderful trip back in time. And imagine our poor Indy the subject of a McCarthy-era investigation! :(

Cate Blanchett was fabulous, and who is this Shia LeBoeuf and what is all the buzz about? I had asked myself. Well, I found out. If it weren't enough that Shia, as Mutt, comes riding in on a Harley a la Marlon Brando in The Wild One with 50's ducktail hairstyle, he plays his character with a great just under-the-surface simmer at first that you'll love. And you will find a use for somel of those things ya learned in school that you thought you'd never need in the real world! ;)

And as we know, a summer blockbuster should entertain and not preach, but I couldn't help but notice a few nods to and some social commentary, which I loved: a woodchipper/saw vehicle cutting a huge swaths through the rain forests, troops coming through and killing indigenous peoples in their way, bomb testing in NM with only mannequins living in the homes in the area. Even a nod to Darwinism when the rain forest monkeys show Mutt how to swing through the trees, recognizing him as one of their "fellows" primates. Too cute! :) In fact, the natural world lends a hand on few occasions when Indy gets himself into a tight spot. Yeah!

And Harrison Ford's still got it! Creative ideas, clever scenes, and great special effects that don't dominate the film. Great summer fun.