Revisiting 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'

It seems like it was only last week that I was walking out of the six o'clock showing of Indiana Jones' long awaited fourth adventure. In reality it was almost five months ago; May 22nd [My birthday]. That evening, as I got into my car, I was in a bit of a melancholy mood. I guess seeing the return of one of the real significant icons of my youth combined with turning thirty four just made me pensive. Naturally I wrote a review for this blog, and the first draft was much different than the one I ultimately posted. It was full of big themes and deep thoughts [or at least as deep as I'm capable of]. I ended up giving the movie a very mixed review, and a 6.5/10 rating

http://overgrownboyscout.blogspot.com/2008/05/indiana-jones-kingdom-of-crystal-skull.html.

As the months passed, I debated; did I rate the film too high based on nostalgia and my love for the character or were my expectations too high and thus the film underrated. Having now re-watched it, I can say that it's the former. It's not without it's moments, but they're undone by a bad script, a plodding pace and too much cheap computer wizardry.

So what went wrong? I don't have the desire to beat up on Lucas and Spielberg anymore [especially after what 'South Park' did to them] so instead I'll tell you what I would've done differently. And yeah, I know it's easy to Monday morning quarterback. This is a friendly critique from someone who has loved this character for 27 years.

HOW DO YOU FIX INDY? JUST ADD A LITTLE 'KHAN'

While I was re-watching 'KOTCS', it hit me that it was very similar in it's basic dynamics to 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan'. In that movie, an aging James Kirk has given up a life of adventure for life behind a desk because that's what society has told him he should do. Of course he's miserable. In the midst of this mid life crisis, he's called into back action. Before long he meets his old flame, Carol Marcus. She was the love of his life, but he chose duty and adventure instead. He is also introduced to a young man, later revealed to be his son. Kirk sees the life he could have had. Now he feels old and alone. Add into the mix an enemy from his past and the death of a close friend and you have all the depth and pathos needed for a stirring story.

In my opinion, 'WOK' should've served as the template for 'KOTCS'. While the latter dealt with those issues, it did so superficially. Yes Mutt makes a few jokes about Indy's age, and Indy and Stanforth talk about "reaching a point where life stops giving you things and starts taking them away" but it's all fluff. What should've been the driving force of the story [along with the relationship with his son and Marion] are nothing more than gags.

With that said, here's what I would've done. The object or "McGuffin" is less important to me here than the story around it; much like the Holy Grail was in 'The Last Crusade'. I didn't mind the Crystal Skulls and in fact I think they could've been a great McGuffin. They just needed a better script and story around them.

So, without further ado...

-- Begin with the obligatory opening prologue/action sequence. Here Indy finds himself outmatched by a much younger rival. Someone who reminds him of his younger self, only without the ethics [think Belloq, but more handy with his fists]. The younger man takes the prize and Indy limps home, defeated.

-- When he arrives, he finds that his dear friend Marcus Brody has died. Coupled with his recent defeat, Indy begins to feel his best days are behind him.

-- A young man approaches Indy after Brody's funeral. The young stranger tries to entice Indy to aid him find [insert McGuffin here]. Indy tells the kid he's not interested. The kid then drops the bombshell. I'm your son and Marion has been captured by those seeking the McGuffin.

-- Indy agrees to help the kid and they set off. The two are as different as they can be. The younger man is more like the grandfather he never knew. Studious. Serious. Thoughtful. The two clash. Indy continues to doubt himself and soon they realize that they are in a race against Indy's younger rival with the Soviets in tow.

-- Indy and his son find and rescue Marion in the middle of the second act. This allows more time for them to reconcile their feelings in an adult fashion rather than through painfully bad quips in the middle of action sequences.

-- In the end, Indy must confront his doubts and in the process re-discovers his mojo, earns the love and respect of his son and rides off into the sunset with his girl.

THE END?

There have been rumblings recently that Lucas is in "think mode" for 'Indy V'. If it happens [and in despite all I've said, I hope it does] much of what I've proposed is useless. The only theme that is still relevant is aging and being bested by a younger rival. It's still a strong starting point in my opinion. Regardless of what they do, I'll be there with my popcorn and hoping for the best.