Roy Hart
If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.
jackdennos
The frustrating part about Indiana Jones 4 is that it feels like it was written by someone who created a genius trifecta of revolutionary action classics that changed the course of film history, and then completely forgot what made people like them when it came time to do the next film. Was this written by George Lucas? Oh, it was (real surprise). He is credited as coming up with the story, and, yeah, the basic framework of the script really is the worst part. The original film was inspired by 30's adventure serials, and although it doesn't parody or satire them, it creates a world in which the events of the story can be taken with a grain of salt, so to speak. This world was successfully recreated in two masterful sequels, but the fourth movie had no idea how to do so. It results in an overly emotional and sentimental movie that occasionally devolves into self deprecation, making jokes about Harrison Ford's age. And the idea to base it off of 50's sci-fis while still retaining the 1930's action edge makes no sense. I mean, what? However, Spielberg, the other half of the duo of series creators, absolutely knows what he is doing. I imagine Lucas as Spielberg's drunk friend who makes dumb choices, and then Spielberg half-reluctantly supports him. If George is going to come up with a stupid story line, Steven is going to direct the sh*t out of it. He creates a visually appealing, tonally satisfying (even though the script tries not to be) experience, filled with fun performances, great dialogue and spectacular action. Janusz Kaminski is the perfect cinematographer for an action movie like this, because he is great at pulling off one of Spielberg's signatures: really long takes that seamlessly move from focal point to focal point without the use of cuts. The camera kind of floats around and is almost always moving, reminiscent of many Robert Zemeckis movies. The action is always striking, even the oft-panned fencing duel between Shia LaBoeuf and Cate Blanchett. I actually like that scene, and I think it would have totally fit in one of the originals. Another thing that I like about Kingdom that most don't is Shia himself. He gives a very natural and funny performance. I don't even have an "except" or "but" to counter that statement with. I just think he is great, and probably gives the best performance in the movie. I like his character a lot, actually, and his interactions with Indy, who is once again pure gold. The characters are all well developed, but the only one I can't stand is Mac. He is the most utterly confusing character I have ever bared witness to. He is revealed to be working for the Russians, and is a secondary villain for well over half the movie. Suddenly, after a short encounter with Jones, where he pathetically begs him for sympathy, he is allowed into their vehicle and completes the journey back on their side. What the heck? There is pretty much no reason for this to happen, and then he turns evil again at the end! He is then sucked into a vortex and Indy tries to save him (I don't know why), to which he says "I'm gonna be alright." What? No you're f*cking not! He then flies into the vortex, screaming, and dies. This is one of the most baffling characters in film history. He doesn't have an arc, he has more of a loop-de-loop. While on the topic of baffling, awful things in Kingdom, I should touch on the monkey sequence and the nuketown sequence. They are both completely pointless to the story, they both defy all logic, and one of them (the monkey one) is absolutely awful looking. I'm really ragging on this movie, but I don't hate it, not at all. I would actually recommend it, at least for Spielberg. There's a couple bad scenes, as well as a somewhat confusing story line. They don't ruin this extremely well directed, acted and put-together movie, although they certainly don't help.
mike48128
Like others, many years ago I would have said that it was a weak entry in the series. Now it's run to death on cable and it is best viewed uncut without a million "breaks" in it. The first half is o.k. and I especially like the Atomic Test in Area 51 (where it actually occurred) as Indy goes flying off in a "lead-lined" fridge! Please note that the mysterious warehouse of top-secret artifacts is there also. Shia LaBeouf showed great promise here as "Indy Jr.". Karen Allen still has it and she is a great co-star after so many years. There is much intentional similarity here to the other 3 films. I especially like the totally impossible "3 waterfall drop" in what appears to be a recycled amphibious "Duck". I rode in one of these many years ago in Wisconsin. They are not really as nimble, fast or seaworthy as they are in this movie! The last 50 minutes are spellbinding and like all "Indy" films, totally outrageously implausible. The villain dies a terrible death, as she "melts away" after absorbing too much alien energy and knowledge. Somewhat similar to the Nazi "Rabbi" in Raiders. The reason my rating has improved is due to the fact that this film is still hard-to-top and I am still a big fan of Harrison Ford.
eccentrically_introverte
Though these thoughts are nothing relating to this laugh of a film. I fully attribute this movie to be so damn boring that it caused me to have and existential realization I am a lesbian and that the guy I was with was absolutely of zero interest to me and the thought of the whole date movie moves were making me nervous. Thankfully he didn't so much as even want to hold hands, let alone kiss like the idiot teens we were so clichély do. I also think it was boring enough to let everyone have their minds wander and have realizations like I did. I sure know the guy I was with did, he's gay now too. So thanks to the absolute absurdity and mind-numbing moments of my life this movie took away I can say I at least came out with a new understanding of myself. That I'm gay and this movie sucks more than my ex now. Good day.
