I think your point towards the end about the other movies becoming something of a sacred text is probably a big factor in the poor reception of Crystal Skull. I watched Last Crusade a bunch of times as a kid, but only saw Temple of Doom and Raiders right around when Crystal Skull came out, and I thought Raiders was the only one that stood up to the standard of Last Crusade. Looking at the other movies without nostalgia, I'd put Temple of Doom below even Crystal Skull, and I was surprised that the opening became so iconic when the rest of the movie was so annoying (it felt like everyone was just screaming the whole time).
I also think the 'sacred text' point is important. I found Crystal Skull to be an overall silly movie, but I at least accepted that aliens fit into the themeing of old serials even if the previous Indys were mystical. Not as positive on how it turned out overall though.
The 4K discs or Disney+ version utilize the film in its original form, minus the awful 50's contrast filter applied by the DP, one of many foolish choices by Spielberg on this one. The look of the movie is a LOT better now, you don't have that ridiculous blue or gold haze over it.
Saw the new film yesterday... and I liked it! It wasn't the best of the five, but maybe the second- or third-best. It was fun, it had the right tempo, the right mix of drama and action. Good.
The best Indiana Jones after the original three is the TV show from the 90s. The re-edited and expanded Adventures of Young Indiana Jones are (with a silly episode here or there) a million miles better than anything from the last two movies.
I was surprised to see "Crystal Skull" was brought up in an older Indiana Jones video which predated the movie by quite a few years. I know the Crystal Skull was an old relic.. which is why it was brought up then, and again.
That roadbuilder not getting to shred a mofo is one of the greatest examples of an unfired Chekhov's gun I've ever seen. This review was better than the movie, Ben out of 10 would see again
I never hated Skull like everyone else. Yes it has many flaws, but I still enjoyed the adventure. Dial of Destiny just makes me appreciate it even more. That film was a true spit in the face. It took an absolute dump on Indy's legacy.
Petition for Ben to create his *own* Indiana Jones franchise! Call it... I dunno... _Ohio George_ or maybe _Oklahoma John_ 🤷♂️ 😅 You have a much better grasp on story flow, audience captivation, and creativity than Hollywood has these days... 😔
in alot of ways I agree with this review, there was something lost with this film compared to the originals and a few things I didnt even notice as the film felt pushed and not properly tried, seemed more of a money grab than doing a proper indie film
Giving Indiana Jones another trilogy this late after so many years is the first problem. Harrison ford is too old, and Shia le boof should have been the new 'Indiana'. Its a complete mess at this point and I cringe at the thought of them trying to fix everything in the 6th movie. Is there anyway to erase movies from Hollywood's vault and redo them? Its never been done before.
I'm pretty sure they only signed on for five movies. That was the original deal the Lucas and Spielberg signed (although neither of them were present for this latest entry), and I'm like 85% certain that Dial of Destiny is the last. It's a Quintology!
The problem with Shia in the movie is that he just wasn't a good enough choice. River Phoenix was absolutely beloved by practically everyone, and people were invested in his part of the story. Shia is just too goofy to be playing some kind of serious character like that, and goofiness isn't the right vibe for the character of Indy's son. He wasn't even written to be all that goofy, but he's naturally just that way. Nobody takes him seriously
Well at least its not crap fest like John Wick. Like ok, first JW was nice, simple story, ok action, but then came 2, 3 and 4 and it didnt had any point, logic or good scenes, it was all made to hype fans with Keanu Reeves, that sadly is just average if not bad actor, maybe nice guy, but bad actor. With Indiana Jones we have really similar thing, it was made not to make sense, it was made to hype fans and milk franchise of Indiana Jones as fast as possible before people realize it was bad movie, with only difference is here we had good actor, but to old or to annoyed by script to act good. Its all that bad because today movies are not made by directors or writers that wanted to show their story. Just like with games, today movies are made by publishers that want well known franchise name, made as simple to digest media, and can be quickly sell with possibility of next version under "next will be better! We promise!" or "next will have MORE of everything!" Or worst, its made to be advertise as bad(all those live actions remakes) just to make people watch it to see how bad it was... and as I know life, budget of those movies are actually lower than advertised so even if it will be a huge floop, people behind it will make a profit on them.
Ben, the red bar underneath the thumbnail makes it look like I watched the video already. Not a good idea!
I think it was done on purpose considering the movie we're talking about
Ah shoot that's my placeholder. That's why I get for doing this at 12:30am
I also immediately saw the red bar and did a double take.
I love you Ben. Your videos have gotten me through some rough and lonely times. Thank you so much!
The problem with doing anything further with Indie's son is Shia LeBeouf started to go completely insane not too long afterwards.
"A story has a beginning, a middle and, here's the important part, it has an end" - Ben Heck. OK but what about The Neverending Story?
Honestly happy about your open mindness on the matter, looking forward for your review !
Never been so confused by a red bar before
I think your point towards the end about the other movies becoming something of a sacred text is probably a big factor in the poor reception of Crystal Skull.
I watched Last Crusade a bunch of times as a kid, but only saw Temple of Doom and Raiders right around when Crystal Skull came out, and I thought Raiders was the only one that stood up to the standard of Last Crusade. Looking at the other movies without nostalgia, I'd put Temple of Doom below even Crystal Skull, and I was surprised that the opening became so iconic when the rest of the movie was so annoying (it felt like everyone was just screaming the whole time).
I also think the 'sacred text' point is important. I found Crystal Skull to be an overall silly movie, but I at least accepted that aliens fit into the themeing of old serials even if the previous Indys were mystical.
Not as positive on how it turned out overall though.
The 4K discs or Disney+ version utilize the film in its original form, minus the awful 50's contrast filter applied by the DP, one of many foolish choices by Spielberg on this one. The look of the movie is a LOT better now, you don't have that ridiculous blue or gold haze over it.
Yeah Janusz Kamiński wasn't the best fit for Indy. It feels like an emulation of Dean Cundly.
😂 love the thumbnail. You slmost had me for a minute.
Saw the new film yesterday... and I liked it! It wasn't the best of the five, but maybe the second- or third-best. It was fun, it had the right tempo, the right mix of drama and action. Good.
why does thumbnail have baked-in wrong runtime of 43:22? please clarify
Ben. What's better, Crystal Skull or the cinematic classics Firewalker or King Solomon's Mines?
So it's like a "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" (feat. Indiana Jones)
Nice to see you on. Do more of these
Man all of your suggestions, especially the ending ditching the marriage scene would actually make the movie much better.
I love your reviews :)
The best Indiana Jones after the original three is the TV show from the 90s. The re-edited and expanded Adventures of Young Indiana Jones are (with a silly episode here or there) a million miles better than anything from the last two movies.
I was surprised to see "Crystal Skull" was brought up in an older Indiana Jones video which predated the movie by quite a few years. I know the Crystal Skull was an old relic.. which is why it was brought up then, and again.
I'm up late. So why not!
That roadbuilder not getting to shred a mofo is one of the greatest examples of an unfired Chekhov's gun I've ever seen.
This review was better than the movie, Ben out of 10 would see again
Unfired Chekov's gun, I love it!
I never hated Skull like everyone else. Yes it has many flaws, but I still enjoyed the adventure. Dial of Destiny just makes me appreciate it even more. That film was a true spit in the face. It took an absolute dump on Indy's legacy.
Petition for Ben to create his *own* Indiana Jones franchise!
Call it... I dunno... _Ohio George_ or maybe _Oklahoma John_ 🤷♂️ 😅
You have a much better grasp on story flow, audience captivation, and creativity than Hollywood has these days... 😔
There's no audio
in alot of ways I agree with this review, there was something lost with this film compared to the originals and a few things I didnt even notice as the film felt pushed and not properly tried, seemed more of a money grab than doing a proper indie film
They really should run all Indi movies by you first :P
Fun fact: It was someones job in this movie to remove Harrison Fords double chin
You totally had me until you dissed 1941. 😱
Dang, didn't have to go so hard on 1941
Don't watch the new one. It hurts. You will feel the pain, the decadence. Don't do it Good Sir.
For an amateur fan made movie Kingdom of the Crystal Skull isn't that bad.
Giving Indiana Jones another trilogy this late after so many years is the first problem. Harrison ford is too old, and Shia le boof should have been the new 'Indiana'. Its a complete mess at this point and I cringe at the thought of them trying to fix everything in the 6th movie. Is there anyway to erase movies from Hollywood's vault and redo them? Its never been done before.
I'm pretty sure they only signed on for five movies. That was the original deal the Lucas and Spielberg signed (although neither of them were present for this latest entry), and I'm like 85% certain that Dial of Destiny is the last. It's a Quintology!
It's awful, don't see it.
I'm getting too old for this.....
💕
The problem with Shia in the movie is that he just wasn't a good enough choice. River Phoenix was absolutely beloved by practically everyone, and people were invested in his part of the story. Shia is just too goofy to be playing some kind of serious character like that, and goofiness isn't the right vibe for the character of Indy's son. He wasn't even written to be all that goofy, but he's naturally just that way. Nobody takes him seriously
Well at least its not crap fest like John Wick. Like ok, first JW was nice, simple story, ok action, but then came 2, 3 and 4 and it didnt had any point, logic or good scenes, it was all made to hype fans with Keanu Reeves, that sadly is just average if not bad actor, maybe nice guy, but bad actor.
With Indiana Jones we have really similar thing, it was made not to make sense, it was made to hype fans and milk franchise of Indiana Jones as fast as possible before people realize it was bad movie, with only difference is here we had good actor, but to old or to annoyed by script to act good.
Its all that bad because today movies are not made by directors or writers that wanted to show their story. Just like with games, today movies are made by publishers that want well known franchise name, made as simple to digest media, and can be quickly sell with possibility of next version under "next will be better! We promise!" or "next will have MORE of everything!"
Or worst, its made to be advertise as bad(all those live actions remakes) just to make people watch it to see how bad it was... and as I know life, budget of those movies are actually lower than advertised so even if it will be a huge floop, people behind it will make a profit on them.
I love Crystal Skull. Don't get the hate.
Dial of Diarrhea. :c
a little late