Harrison Ford may no longer be as dashing nor as young as Narnia’s Prince Caspian, but the iconic actor still proves that he is still in for the ladies when Indiana Jones: The kingdom of the crystal skull earned as much as 152 million dollars on its first week in North America beating its Disney competitor by a speed of light. Released 19 years after the first blockbuster trilogy, Ford proves that he still has what it takes to have a blockbuster come back even at his current age. Despite the movie’s success, Ford makes it clear that there will no longer be a 5th installment to the movie.
There are some real facts behind the movie but since they have been adapted for the big screen, they have overshadowed facts and twisted them as far as the eye can see. The true nature of the main character is loosely based on true archaeologists but on a lower note, for the work of one is often done in the field and laboratory. Real Indiana Jones of today are still out there discovering our past as well as the secrets they hold. Imagine the Egyptians on how they created the pyramids, there have been tons of suggestions but no solid proof of their construction. This is what draws us to them, the mystery and allure of the unknown and the adventure of discovery.
Many of the world’s archaeologists have in fact provided us with the best insights on long lost civilizations that gave way to our modern lives. The adventures of the ever-bearing Indiana Jones has even been attributed to the career choices of people who were so mesmerized by the movies they themselves have turned into their own Indy’s in their own right. The world may never know much of the secrets our ancestors have brought with them to their graves, only these laboring researchers and their innate inquisitiveness get them to light, modern light that is.
The length of period it took for the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull to come out was more or less 20 years and that length of time had seen a lot of changes in the movie industry. Some amazing facts about the movie, Harrison Ford had to gain a few pounds for his aged role(many say he’s a health buff) and needed not much changes to the movie’s wardrobe sets. Harrison had put on some of the original suits he wore in previous films without much adjustments needed in terms of the size of his clothes.
There was also an interesting fact that came up wherein Indiana Jones wasn’t allowed much to play with his trademark bullwhip which was part of his persona due to stringent safety measures of today. The physical demands on the actor was still high and Harrison Ford being a man of pride, still did most of his stunts (with the help of modern safety rigging of course which he says greatly improved his performance) as he did with most of his films.
Acting Legends, Bullwhip, Influencial, Pop Culture, Urban Legends
Drew Struzan made the movie poster for the latest Indiana Jones movie: The kingdom of the crystal skull, the fourth installment for the first three blockbuster hit 19 years ago. It was said that the poster was done under the specific request of George Lucas himself and that it was specifically instructed to have the colors that resembles that of classic old rust to promote a feeling of nostalgia among the movie-going public. Well whatever the strategy is, it worked. The Kingdom of the crystal skull grossed to be the best selling movie for the summer.
Because Ford often finds himself in movies which are visually endowed with special effects, often times we neglect to see his acting prowess. For one thing Ford is an exceptional comedian, he is able to deliver funny lines and even stunts without looking like he deliberately intended to do so. Some may call this charisma, but we here call it acting. The Indiana Jones star is currently 60 years old but he is still able to make do with a role he used to give justice to 19 years back (when he was still 30 years old) with the same acting prowess but less youthful vigor.
Like any classic not to mention world famous movie, Indiana Jones is by no means contented to be contained in the silver screen alone, hence why recent announcement has gotten fans ecstatic when they were informed that come early movie release, a new batch of sequels for the comics will follow shortly. As early as now, paperbacks and comics for the popular movie series are being sold in retail all for the novelty of the Indiana Jones franchise and the profit of the people behind it. We can’t help but wonder though, who in this day and age will shell out dollars for these things? We are thinking, the same ones who did 19 years ago.
Time magazine’s most influential actress for the year 2008 was more likely contained in her role in the latest Indiana Jones movie: The Kingdom of the crystal skull after she agreed to play the character of a Russian villain. The most memorable scene there by Blanchet was a motion-driven sword fighting scene against the leading lady in the forest of doom. The movie may have gotten raves in the public market but it has only received groans from the inner critic circle. We are thinking, whose got more authority? Well if producers have any say about the matter, were thinking the audience does. After all, who is paying? This is probably why the world famous actress accepted the offer even if the exposure wasn’t that great.
Every Indiana Jones movie has what we call a MacGuffin: a missing artifact which posses some immeasurable value of sorts that makes it utterly worth the pain of pursuing. In this case, it’s the Crystal Skull which supposedly holds the key to the greatest wisdom the world has to offer. The concept is much like that of the Holy Grail and the fountain of youth. Once again, the brilliant partnership of two well known directors allows audiences to escape from reality with a series of interesting puzzles and a whole lot of special effects.
We have all seen how producers have decapitated our favorite classics, (Look at what they did to the Star Wars trilogy) but in all fairness to the latest installment of the Indiana Jones: The kingdom of the crystal skull—even if the last one was titled Indiana Jones: The last crusade—(we hear they might be changing that title when the movies comes jam-packed in DVD), it did not bastardize the first three movies, (Thank god) but it didn’t take the trilogy to higher heights either. What happened was that George Lucas and Steven Spielberg made an ingenious strategy to balance out the 19 year old trilogy to make the fourth one somewhat nostalgic.
One of the most loved characters in the Indiana Jones franchise is Sir Sean Connery, so it’s only right that world famous movie maker Steven Spielberg and James Lucas invites the British hall of famer to once again grace the silver screen. Connery declined the offer though. This is not in contrast to Connery’s character who made it a point to outgrow certain roles and certain plots even if the monetary compensation is lucrative. Harrison Ford was in his 30s when he did the Indiana Jones series 19 years ago, now he is on his 60’s, that is half the age difference so we are wondering how well someone his age could pull off a young man’s stunt.