Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: A *Mouthful* of Entertaining Hokum

Yes, I know.

It’s very late on a Wednesday night …

Which usually means I’m not telling you about a movie me and some friends have seen.

But, after last nights excitement … ?

To be frank, me and Movie Night Adrian decided to do it tonight.

Watch a MOVIE before you start getting any funny ideas … !

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Hang on, two seconds …

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There we go, I’ve just put Radio Four on: at least that means I can listen to the midnight News bulletin, the Book Of the Week, and the shipping forecast.

Which can be amazingly soothing, this time of night …

Where was I … ?

Movie Night … !

THAT’S where I was … !

Like I’ve said, me, Movie Night Adrian and whoever else can get over usually get together of a Tuesday to catch a film.

But last bight was a touch busy.

Actually, as a rider to that, I’m going to thank Councillor Chilvers, at this point, for giving the relevant post a mention on her site: I think it’s managed to push my hit counter through the roof!!

(No, the HIT COUNTER … ! At the bottom of the page … ? Oy, VEH!)

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

As I was saying, Adrian and me — after having a busy night, last night — got together at my place to catch a movie.

The one, tonight … ?

Was the 2008, Steven Spielberg directed, Harrison Ford film, Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Crystal Skull.

Which — much like The DaVinci Code we saw, a year and a half ago — is entertaining hokum.

But unlike The DaVinci Code, Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Crystal Skull is supposed to be like that.

After all, the opening scenes sees Indy — played, as always, by Harrison Ford — captured by a squad of Soviet soldiers led by Dr Irina Spalko — Cate Blanchett — being forced to dig up a mysterious crate from a warehouse in Area 51.

And, as Dr Spalko explains, its contents — or part of them — could prove pivotal for the USSR.

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Now, I think I’ve already told you this is hokum.

It is that.

And I’ve already said it’s entertaining.

Very much so, in fact.

After all, this is co-written by George Lucas, directed by the mæstro that is Steven Spielberg. And, of course, stars Harrison Ford in the lead rôle.

One that was practically written for him!

Which I think makes it a touch more fun.

And reminds us exactly what sort of debt the Lara Croft movies, the National Treasure franchise and every other wannabee that followed in the wake of Raiders of the Lost Ark owe to a certain archæologist.