A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

I viewed Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull for the first time this evening and at the conclusion was wondering why it received a somewhat "soft" reception from critics as well as filmgoers.

I forget who said it, possibly Roger Ebert, but the phrase "You can only see a film for the first time once" came to mind. And this may have been the problem. I'm occasionally a bit jealous of someone who loves film having that initial experience seeing Lawrence in a quality 70mm presentation on a huge screen, or "Vertigo," or The Godfather films.

There are so many references, many quite sweet, (in what other film could you possibly have a shot in which a speeding vehicle in a large warehouse bumps into a packing case, breaking it open -- just enough to reveal a bit of the Ark of the Covenant briefly to the camera) to the three preceding films, that some people may have reacted unkindly because in some ways they've been here before.

My take in simple. I was prepared to get on the tram, went for the Indy 4 ride -- and loved every moment of it.

What I was thinking as I was watching the film was how beautifully it was produced -- the cinematography, the art direction, the effects -- all of which shows precisely what you can achieve with the top technical people in every field of production and post, and the dollars to accomplish what was necessary -- in this case apparently just south of 200 million.

As far as the Blu-ray disc is concerned, there is only great news.

As a digital intermediate, the film has been magnificently down-rezzed to HD, and the resultant Blu-ray disc is as crisp and clean as any modern film can be.

Everything here is perfect including the Dolby TrueHD audio.

I have yet to get to the second disc, filled to overflowing with a cornucopia of special features, but will get there first chance.

You're in for one huge home video treat!

Highly Recommended.

RAH

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

Nice review Robert. Maybe this one will work better at home? My 2nd viewing improved somewhat at the theater....glad to see the Blu-ray is top notch.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

Thanks Robert. Defiantly looking forward to this one! My favorite film of the summer. But then I like big goofy adventure movies.

Doug

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

Boom! Too bad the rest of the series isn't with it. Personally I'd order them 1, 3/4 (tie) then 2, so its as least certainly better than one of the other three and maybe better than 2 of them =) Glad to hear the BD is as good as we can hope for!

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

I found Indy KotCS much more enjoyable on my 2nd viewing, on a plane of all places.

I used the release of KotCS this summer as an opportunity to introduce my two children to Indy, the 3 proceeding films and the Young Indy Chronicles.

I have to say that KotCS is no better or worse than any of the other films in the Indy series, they all have their strengths and weaknesses. It would be a harsh judgement to see flaws in KotCS and overlook those in the other films.

It is an enjoyable ride, and in hindsight the Crystal Skull is no worse a mcguffin then used in the other films, and entirely appropriate to a cold war setting.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

Can't wait to get my copies

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu

That's what I'm hoping. One of the problems I had were the special effects looked too digital so maybe they'll play better on a smaller screen.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu

I don't know. With the clarity of Blu-Ray I'm afraid they might stand out a little more.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

I saw Skull twice. First viewing was digital. Second viewing was film. I think the film helped out the fx. Very curious to see it now on my setup.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu

Interesting that you say that, because most of the effects in this film were done with miniatures rather than digital models.

Doug

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

All those monkeys and gophers weren't miniatures, they were CGI and very bad CGI at that. Also, the jungle chase had a lot of very noticeable digital effects.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu

I agree with Robert. This is a beautiful film. In my fourth viewing at the theater I just sat there to admire the shots, the compositions etc. I hope many people enjoy it more in full HD glory. I´m sure I will. Can´t wait.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

I predict a fan edit excising all monkeys and gophers.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

Not a bad idea.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

+1

same here Doug,

Marek

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

Should be getting mine early this Thurs. Cannot wait to see it again for the 6th time.

Film improves greatly on repeat viewings as a lot to take in initially especially the culture shock of seeing Indy in the 50s.

Still going to be the worldwide 2nd or 3rd biggest movie in 2008 which is a good measure of how popular Indy still is.

Lucas is currently in development on story ideas for #5 so we may even get 1 final adventure yet!!

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

Thanks for the review, Robert. Very much looking forward to picking this up.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

Most of the jungle chase is real Hawaiian locations with the exception of the cliff sequence.

I didn't really notice the monkeys looking fake, the gopher slightly but not enough to bother me.

Doug

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

I hope so. Crystal Skull really wetted my appetite for more Indy films.

Doug

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

For the record: we have removed Thivanka R. Perera from this forum, because of a totally uncalled for tasteless attack on film critic Roger Ebert (removed).

We're not tolerating "jokes" about someone's serious illness.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

I only saw Skull in the theater once with friends, but as soon as I walked out I wanted to get the missus to see it with me so I could get that 2nd viewing in ASAP! Unfortunately, it never happened, but that's ok because she just bought me a PS3 and I can't wait to get this on blu-ray!

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

You might want to read this. Back around the time the film came out there were before and after pics of the jungle but I can't find them now.

I liked the gopher.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

I thought most of the jungle chase seemed CGI. Thanks for confirming it, Brett.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

I would really like to pick up all four Indiana Jones films in Blu-Ray in a single package. Does anyone know if Paramount intends on releasing them in the near future? I, too, enjoyed the newest installment but don't want to get a single BD and have to pick it up again when the inevitable boxed set is released.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

I have no inside knowledge but I would guess it'll be a while since Lucasfilm own them (not Paramount) and they generally hold on to their catalog titles until there's alot of players sold. And whenever the rest of the Indy movies come out, I think there will be individual releases and a 4 movie set because they'll know that people won't want to rebuy the fourth movie again.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

Well, I wouldn't be surprised to see a boxset in the next year if past practices are any indication. Lucasfilm seems to enjoy re-releasing things, IMO. Just look at the never-ending Star Wars releases.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

My guess is Lucas wants the Blu-ray owner install base to be bigger before releasing the originals. I still think these are at least two to three years away and maybe longer. It took six years for the DVDs to arrive. If it's true a fifth Indy is coming, they may not be out until then.

Of course, all just a guess.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

Yeah, but not a bad guess.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

But the bulk of those are just repackagings of the same disc. There's been one distinct release of the prequels and two releases of the original trilogy and those are some of the most succesful movies ever made. American Pie and Halloween 4 have had more releases than Star Wars.

Re: A few words about...™ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - in Blu-ray

Very true. However, with Indy, they've already done two seperate boxsets for the first 3 films. What's to stop them from a 4th which would include the 4th film? Yes, I concede it's not the same exact practice as what has been done with SW, but it's still lame.