ArchivesWelcome Back 'Indy'!By Marcos Bernal-SalasThursday, May 22, 2008Welcome to summer. It seems that finally not only the weather is warmer but the blockbuster season is getting better by the second. ‘Iron-Man’ opened to unbelievable great reviews and the audience keeps on loving the superhero. But now, Indy is back. The most anticipated film ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ has arrived. And it is pack with all the elements that make going to the movies a fun event. The latest ‘Indy’ adventure is a sweet treat for the whole family and undoubtedly to become the number one movie this holiday weekend. The story begins with Indiana Jones in the Southwestern dessert in 1957 running amidst – better yet captured – by an unfriendly Soviet army. Of course, setting the vintage Americana against the height of the Cold War is a smart way to get the plot going. Spielberg and company are without a doubt the best magicians to create the fantastic world around Indy Jones. And that initial step and opening frame sets out the time factor as well – not of the period – but the fact that a lot of time has passed since the last Indiana Jones adventure. Good old Dr. Jones is indeed old this time around and though his wit is sharp, the filmmakers make it known that he is no longer the ultimate and rebel young stud playing hero. And that is a commendable risk that works throughout the film. After escaping the Southwest episode Indy (Harrison Ford) returns to his scholastic teachings as Professor Jones at Marshall College but only to find himself drawn out to adventure by a young man, Mutt (Shia LaBeouf). How can the intrepid archeologist say no to adventure? Especially when this mission involves some deeply and personal stakes and the mythical Crystal Skull of Akator – which has until now been nothing but a fascinating legend. From then on, Jones and Mutt set out to the corners of Peru following what is known to be legend that suddenly becomes true and takes Indy back to some old friends and love. Of course, he is not the only one after the Crystal Skull – enter Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett) a deadly force and scientist that hungers for knowledge and power. All the characters and elements of the story are a classic ‘Indiana Jones’ film carefully crafted for great entertainment. ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ is indeed an entertainment film. There’s nothing bad with the film – per se –besides one has to consider that this is the type of film that one loves to escape to in the middle of the week. There’s no deep message, there is no hiding meaning, no agenda – or even a hint of a sequel – other than the filmmakers walking down memory lane and dishing out one of film’s most beloved character. After all who out there doesn’t love Indiana Jones – the savvy professor with a sense of adventure. The only thing I wish that the story didn’t have was what I’m going to call an ‘X-file’ twist on it – I won’t reveal it here either – but it saddened my fun just a little bit. Other than that, the latest ‘Indiana Jones’ is the greatest adventure of the bunch yet. And my second favorite film for the summer blockbuster season this year.  
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