Popcorn and Pen

The fourth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” is both a mix of delight and disgust.

The characters remain true to who they always were and a few new ones are intriguing, but then the plot takes an unexpected and unwanted twist from “Indiana Jones” to “Star Wars” – thanks a lot George Lucas.

“Indiana Jones 4” comes 19 years after “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and 27 years after the original, “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Die hard fans of Jones will take delight in the numerous jokes and references from the three previous films, as well as the return of Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood from “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

At the beginning of the current installment, an older Jones (Harrison Ford) illustrates just how young Indy actually still is when he escapes the grasps of Soviet Union soldiers – and a nuclear bomb (if you can believe how he survived that than maybe the plot isn’t too unbelievable for you).

FBI and KGB agents are after Dr. Jones, who plans to flee the country after losing his teaching position. In the mist of his departure, an unlucky ally comes to his aid, Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf). Atop of his Harley Davidson motorcycle, Mutt and Indy travel the streets and buildings of Jones’ college trying to lose KGB agents.

Mutt, who is the son of Marion Ravenwood, informs Indy that their mutual friend Professor Oxley (John Hurt) and Mutt’s mother have been kidnapped by the Russians. All the information he has is a letter from Oxley in Mayan pictograph.

Oxley has discovered the Crystal Skull, which is said to provide great power to those that return it to its hidden palace. Indy and Mutt set off for South America for another archeological adventure, followed by the Soviet Union army led by Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett).

One of the major benefits of the fourth Indiana Jones film is the cast. Despite the years, Ford is still the same ‘ol Indy – fierce, comical and relentless. LaBeouf is a welcome addition. While he plays a sidekick role to Jones, he never gets annoying or loses himself – honestly, he fits in perfectly next to his “old man.”

Blanchett’s character gets more screen time than any other villain previously. While it slows the movie down, she’s able to make the audience really dislike her character and cheer quietly inside when watching her demise. But most importantly, the chemistry between Jones, Marion and Mutt works. The Mutt-Indy relationship in the films is reminiscent of the Jr./Sr. (Harrison Ford/ Sean Connery) relationship in “The Last Crusade” – although it doesn’t reach the same dazzling heights, it still delivers in more ways then most anticipated.

The sets are all really Spielbergesque, ranging from rainforests and huge temples, to ancient graves or a 1950s college campus. On the other hand, Steven Speilberg’s uses of special effects were dazzling at times and not during others. It seemed like some scenes were added just to show audience members, “Hey, look at what I can do.”

The chase scenes were action-packed, the stunts were spectacular, the dialogue was humorous for the most part and the music was classic John Williams.

But the true downside to the film was the plot. Without going into detail or divulging any spoilers, I will say that during the movie I said to myself, “Man, they’ve lost me,” and it wasn’t because I couldn’t follow along, I just couldn’t believe where they were taking me.

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” a Paramount Pictures release, is rated PG-13 for adventure violence and scary images. Running time: 124 min.