Indy's return is "good enough"

By PHILIP WUNTCH
Film Critic Emeritus
Even on a list of four, being second-best is no disgrace.

That's the lesson to be culled from "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." On the Indy scale, it ranks substantially below the magical "Raiders of the Lost Ark" but far above such slapdash pretenders as "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" and "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." Great, it's not. But it's more than "good enough."

Since the film arrives with a price tag of roughly $180 million and reunites the triumvirate of Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford, the first thing everyone wants to know is the irreverent but irresistible "What's wrong with it?"

For starters, the attempts at verbal humor are fairly feeble, with too many first-act "oldster" jokes. By now, most moviegoers know that Ford is 65 years old, and the screenplay's repetitive references to his vintage are gnawing. Also, the film has a perhaps inescapable "been there" air. In some ways, that's reassuring and even endearing. In other ways, it's cloying. In format, it most closely echoes "Raiders of the Lost Ark," with more than just a trace of such 1950s sci-fi thrillers as "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." The plot is both serpentine and outlandish although, in fairness, none of the previous Indy movies has been economically plotted

Yet much of the film works gracefully. The action occurs in 1957, and the mood is lovingly recreated, with Elvis' "Hound Dog" heard on the soundtrack even before Indy's familiar theme. In keeping with the Cold War, the baddies are Commies rather than Nazis. Although Spielberg and Lucas are staunch Democrats, they even allow an "I like Ike" homage in the dialog, while Shia LaBoeuf is introduced in a visual homage to another '50s icon, the leather-clad, motorcycling Marlon Brando of "The Wild One."

And in case anyone remains an infidel, Spielberg once again proves himself a terrific action coordinator. The chase scenes crackle with inspired chaos. While the jungle segments have such anticipated ingredients as quicksand, carnivorous ants and one large -- very, very large -- snake, they're choreographed with with freshness. The action vignettes frequently boast a wit that the dialogue lacks, and the entire enteprise shines with an enjoyably retro '80s style, appropriate for a franchise that was a high point of 1980s film technology.

Chief among the heavies is Cate Blanchett as ironclad Col. Irina Spalko, who wants well-worn Professor Jones to lead her to the mysterious skulls that hold the secret to mind control. It seems that Stalin was fascinated by psychic research, much akin to Hitler's preoccupation with the occult in "Raiders." Indy finds himself pursued by both the KGB and the FBI, not to mention some other-worldly alien weirdos.

Blanchett makes a dandy dominatrix, but you can't shake the suspicion that she's in this extravaganza strictly for the bucks. Some pundits foresaw failure in the casting of 22-year-old LaBeouf as Indy's wisecracking sidekick Mutt. Actually, he registers cockiness and confidence without the taint of obnoxiousness. After some initial bickering, Indy and Mutt get along great -- until they discover they're really father and son.

Which brings us to Karen Allen's return appearance as Marion Ravenwood, "Raiders of the Lost Ark"'s two-fisted heroine and, very possibly, the enduring love of Indy's life. Allen hasn't made a major feature since small roles in 2001's "In the Bedroom" and 2000's "The Perfect Storm." She still has an engaging presence and a beguiling smile even if you sense she's overcompensating for her lengthy absence.

And, of course, there's Indy himself, who Ford plays to an agreeable hilt. Both his sly attitude and physical dexterity have mellowed, but he's still convincing as an adventurer, a college prof and a somewhat roguish raconteur. He remains likable even after you realize that Indy's treatment of Marion was indeed shabby.

Ford, Allen and LaBeouf are all likable, and so is Spielberg's direction. All of which makes "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" more enjoyable than most reunions.