by Kenneth Andrews

Created on: August 06, 2008   Last Updated: December 31, 2010

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - it sounds like a computer game, doesn't it? Which is odd, as the many computer games based on Harrison Ford's iconic archaeologist have tended to have fairly sensible titles not too far removed from the original trilogy of films. When rumours of a fourth Indy film began to bubble (pretty much as soon as The Last Crusade came out on video in the early 90s), there was even an official statement that the story would NOT be based on the plot to the classic Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis. Which is a shame, as that's still brilliant.

But Indy 4 eventually arrived, with a greyer, craggier Harrison Ford still swashing his best buckle, and Shia Leboeuf as a James Dean wannabe sidekick (who is still less annoying than Short Round). Leboeuf was presumably cast to take on the action scenes in the event of Ford being too decrepit to throw a punch, but the fact is that Indiana Jones remains a totally plausible action hero within the context of these films.

Set in the 1950s, in an America paralysed by paranoia about Communist infiltration, Dr Henry Jones is pursued by a group of Soviet soldiers desperate for his knowledge of a highly-magnetised artefact, the eponymous Crystal Skull. In due course, Indy breaks out his whip and fedora for an expedition to Darkest Peru (where Paddington Bear comes from), to rescue an old friend and 'Mutt's' mother. Cate Blanchett is in constant and slightly unconvincing pursuit as a psychic Russian swordswoman. Crystal Skulls are heavily involved.

The cast is rounded out by several distinguished gentlemen: Ray Winstone, Jim Broadbent and John Hurt all get to do what they do best, and if Winstone's character is a bit superfluous, you don't really mind because he's basically so fab. Just when you think the cast can't get any more amazing, Alan Dale (Neighbours, Lost, Ugly Betty, Torchwood, West Wing, Spamalot) pops in for a chat. It's a bit of a roll-call for brilliant older male character actors.

But really it's all about the man with the whip having another adventure. And in an era of updates, remakes, re-imaginings and parodies, it's brilliant to be able to say that this is simply a fourth Indiana Jones movie. Unlike Terminator 3, in which every other line was a reference back to the previous [good] films or a joke about Arnie knocking on a bit, Spielberg and Lucas seek to continue the story of this universe in the style of the original trilogy. There are nods, there are in-jokes,

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