ROTTEN TOMATOES: Tomatometer Watch: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Looking Good!

Tomatometer Watch: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Looking Good!

Worried about the mixed buzz? Early reviews mostly allay those fears.

by Tim Ryan | May 18, 2008

The early reviews of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull are in, and it looks like Indy and the gang still have a bit of the old magic. Skull, which reunites the team of director Steven Spielberg, producer George Lucas, and star Harrison Ford after a 19-year layoff, drew applause at its Cannes premiere, as well as solid -- if not spectacular -- notices from the critics.

Given that the first three installments are among the seminal film-going experiences of a generation, it's not completely surprising that The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is currently being pegged as a cut below Raiders of the Lost Ark (95 percent), The Temple of Doom (87 percent), or The Last Crusade (90 percent). But fear not, Indy disciples: at 74 percent on the Tomatometer, it appears that the early negative buzz was overstated. And if it stays on course, Crystal Skull will join the same Certified Fresh ranks as its predecessors.

Richard Corliss of Time Magazine writes that "Crystal Skull delivers smart, robust, familiar entertainment." Variety's Todd McCarthy says, "Director Steven Spielberg and star Harrison Ford have no trouble getting back into the groove with a story and style very much in keeping with what has made the series so perennially popular." And Roger Ebert writes, "No Indy adventure can match Raiders of the Lost Ark But if Crystal Skull... had come first in the series, who knows how much fresher it might have seemed?"

However, not all the pundits are sold. Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune argues Skull "is so nervous about falling into the quicksands of camp it forgets to deliver a good time." The Hollywood Reporter's Kirk Honeycutt calls it charmless, writing that "the actors are asked to do little more than look reasonably alert. This proves to be Indiana Jones' greatest challenge."

RT's Cannes correspondent Joe Utichi, while not overwhelmed, found enough to like: "You get the impression that Spielberg and Lucas did their best to take on board the lessons of the Star Wars prequels, and you are left in no doubt that everyone involved desperately wanted preserve the quality of the franchise."

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull hits theaters Thursday, May 22. Check out RT's features on Spielberg here, Lucas here, and Ford here.

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Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

(1-20 of 20 posts) | Reply

look_how_he's_standin writes:
on May 18 2008 07:42 PM

Ah, i knew Indy would prevail in the end.

(Reply to this)

bat-fink writes:
on May 18 2008 07:42 PM

Excellent news! I still yet need to see it, but I was a little worried there. The fact that some if not most critics enjoyed it is a great sign, not that I care what critics think. But always say that if one person enjoys a movie then there is something to like. Even Phantom Menace is a great film! YES IT IS! It has major major flaws! YES! But I can see beyond those and while they grate, There is some excellent movie making going on around it. And it is still an epic movie.

As for Indy, I just watched Last Crusade, which i love but it is my least favorite. And despite its many flaws it is still great. Running around in a sewer filled with petrol with a burning torch that is dripping flames into the petrol is terrible! But what the hell! Its Indy, Its fun, and its adventure at its best!

Raiders is unbeatable IMO, mainly because its the most adult and mature with not too much slapstick. But If Skull can be at least on a par with its sequels then I'm sold. Doom was awsome too, if not ruined by Kate Capshaws screaming.

I wonder what the hidden Star Wars symbol will be in Skull (aka- Dooms Club Obi Wan, and raiders R2 & 3p0 picture.)

Also, I'm curious as to what creepy crawlies star in this one. Weve had snakes, bugs,spiders,and rats. Maybe Vampire Bats? looking forward to finding out.

wether I end up loving or hating Skull, I wanna say thanks to Lucas and Spielberg for bringing back one of my childhood icons. And if its great, i would welcome more.

And to all the nay-sayers.... YAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!

(Reply to this)

oyguvaltshappy writes:
on May 18 2008 07:42 PM

i'm glad it turned out well. It's getting a similar grade to what I'm guessing the other sequels would've gotten if released today, so my anticipation has risen a lot from where it was when those early negative reviews came in.

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jokerboy1991 writes:
on May 18 2008 07:45 PM

Great! I knew it would be great!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope all those people who said it would suck are proven wrong. I cant wait til wednesday night!!

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jokerboy1991 writes:
on May 18 2008 07:51 PM

Yeah but in Michael Phillips article he even says Indy was never that great of a character.

(Reply to this)

sunsaz writes:
on May 18 2008 07:56 PM

The pessimists are usually quicker (and louder) to speak than the others. The real verdict will be in once all the critics see it.

(Reply to this)

bat-fink writes:
on May 18 2008 08:00 PM

In reply to this comment (#1740217)
Nope^^^ The real verdict will in once we see it! If we like it, thats all that matters. I dont care what someone else thinks.

I have a good feeling about this.

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arendr writes:
on May 18 2008 08:43 PM

There seem to be people who are freaking out because this movie is rumored to have a sci-fi b-movie slant. To them, I say the rest of the series takes its cues from equally cheesy genres. Temple of Doom is supposed to be like a horror film (and it's an underrated Indy flick, I think). 50s b-movies seem like a natural progression.

It seems to me that most of the negative reviews so far have been criticizing it for what the first 3 were chock full of: ridiculous stunts that are so well choreographed that you just have to laugh and cheesy humor. These are what makes Indy, well Indy. I can't wait.

(Reply to this)

bat-fink writes:
on May 18 2008 08:51 PM

^^^ good call! At first i thought Aliens was silly, then i remembered that Raiders had what was essencially "GOD IN A BOX" Doom had "VOODOO" And crusade had a 7 Hundred year old knight living in a room full of cups with no food.

But they were all fantastic!

SKULL, sounds the most interesting to me, it goes into AREA 51, territory which during the 1950s was THE subject matter of the time. Also, SKULL has Aztek temples, which is the most Indiana Jonesy place you could think of, even though aside from the beginning of raiders it was only shown briefly.

This film also looks like it will please both fans of the films AND the games too.

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count_of_monte_cristo writes:
on May 18 2008 09:25 PM

i CANNOT WAITTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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cacklebunny writes:
on May 18 2008 09:29 PM

The more negative reviews come from people who have allowed their distorted memories to put the previous three Indy films on a pedestal no further sequel could ever reach.

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RottenRob writes:
on May 18 2008 10:16 PM

Was this movie filmed under bright fluourescent lights? Every picture and trailer I see just looks weird.

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smi1ey writes:
on May 18 2008 10:33 PM

In reply to this comment (#1740278)
very great point, arendr!

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Basilides in Alexandria writes:
on May 18 2008 11:22 PM

I'll have to wait and see. I don't trust Spielberg or Lucas these days, but I have faith in them...

(Reply to this)

Beleraphon writes:
on May 19 2008 04:04 AM

Is Michael Phillips from Chicago Tribune joking? How was Indiana Jones never a memorable movie character? How is this guy a top critic? Honestly. What utter nonsense.

In any case, I'm happy to see a large majority of positive reviews coming in. I hope we all enjoy it ourselves.

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dannyboy3030 writes:
on May 19 2008 06:34 AM

Indiana is one of my favourite characters/people of all time. When my guidance counselor sat me down and asked me what I wanted to be after graduation, I said "Indiana Jones." He said "Do you mean an archeologist?" To which I replied "No. I want to be Indiana Jones" These movies mean a lot to an entire generation of people. The expectations are high, as are my hopes. As for Michael Phillips; "You call him Dr. Jones!" =)

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tomwaitsjr writes:
on May 19 2008 12:20 PM

Whoever says Indiana Jones is not a memorable movie character is an idiot that knows nothing of culture. There is an industry of Indiana Jones characters, people dressing like him on halloween, people buying the same hat he wears after seeing the movie. Kids pretending to be him, dreaming of being him. . .

One does have to notice that in Indiana Jones films, just like some James Bond films, most of the enemy act like total idiots, there is an enemy leader that seems impossible to beat, but has a fatal flaw (I'm guessing Cate Blanchett), etc.

One has to suspend disbelief.

The part in the trailer where he swings at an oncoming vehicle by his whip, goes through their windshield and lands between them, has time to make some comment, and then finally subdues them with one hit is unlikely in any reality but that of a film.

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CoUcH ToMaToE DoUgIe writes:
on May 20 2008 04:56 AM

Hey, Mike Phillips is known for being very tough critic and

honestly I will take some of what he has to say. But folks one review won't

really mean thing this movie will be fine. But y'know what's sort of

happening? The buzz for Indy at this moment doesn't seem anywhere near the

the anticipatioon for Iron Man. I mean the boys at Marvel set the bar

especially high and I'm glad Spielberg has made a very good movie but he's

up against a great one. No movie might be able to match that 90% t-meter

buzz, you know what I am saying? Well, maybe a little fim on July 18 but

thats just me ;)

(Reply to this)

CoUcH ToMaToE DoUgIe writes:
on May 20 2008 05:02 AM

Oh, Bat-Fink I appreciate the passionate posts but I just can't

imagine anyone calling Phatom Menace a great movie. Seriously, having one of

the worst characters ever created,Jar-Jar Binks, alone translates the movie

rating as average, in my opinion. Hey, I didn't hate but jeez Bat-Fink, even

you said it had major flaws and how then can it be still a great movie? Just

asking, evryone have a nice day :)

(Reply to this)

300bloodyspartan writes:
on May 20 2008 08:38 PM

Indys Back!! I knew it be good! You Call him Dr Jones

(Reply to this)

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