Film Review: BLADE RUNNER: THE FINAL CUT (1982/2007)

Director: Ridley Scott
Writers: Philip K. Dick (novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”), Hampton Fancher & David Webb Peoples (screenplay)
Running time: 113 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Sci-Fi/Drama/Thriller
Original version: UK Release date: 9^th September 1982
NOTE: This version, from 2007, is the only one over which Ridley Scott had full artistic control.

Watched on Sky+ Monday 27^th August 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

NOTE: What follows is much of my review of the Director’s Cut of this film that I wrote back in November 2011. I have made a few additions and removed some bit to make it more relevant to this cut. Hope you enjoy it.

I have spoken to many fans of Science Fiction over the years and the vast majority of them always have something good to say about this film. Now I know there are those among you, mostly deranged people, who might hold a different view, but I am on the side of those who rate this film. I’ll even go so far as to say its right up there with the very best sci-fi films (if you ignore the original theatrical cut, which was truly awful). More of my praise after this very brief summary.

There is an opening scrolling text on this version of the film that explains the set-up better than I ever could, here it is:

“Early in the 21st Century, THE TYRELL
CORPORATION advanced Robot evolution
into the NEXUS phase - a being virtually
identical to a human - known as a Replicant.

The NEXUS 6 Replicants were superior
in strength and agility, and at least equal
in intelligence, to the genetic engineers
who created them.

Replicants were used Off-World as
slave labour, in the hazardous exploration and
colonization of other planets.

After a bloody mutiny by a NEXUS 6
combat team in an Off-World colony,
Replicants were declared illegal
on earth - under penalty of death.

Special police squads - BLADE RUNNER
UNITS - had orders to shoot to kill, upon
detection, any trespassing Replicant.

This was not called execution.

It was called retirement.”

Now you’ve read that I shall continue… Four Replicants have jumped ship, killed the crew and the passengers and made it to Earth. They are; Roy Batty, Pris, Leon Kowalski and Zhora. A retired Blade Runner, Rick Deckard, is brought in to hunt down and ‘retire’ these Replicants. He is first sent to the Tyrell Corporation where he meets Rachael, a Nexus 6 Replicant. At the time she is unaware of the fact, but Dr. Eldon Tyrell assures Deckard that she’s ‘special’. Leon had badly injured another Blade Runner, Holden, and Deckard goes to Leon’s apartment where he finds a clue. Little does he know the replicants are also trying to find someone… Someone high up for whom they have some questions about themselves. I’ll leave it there or the Spoiler Police will be calling me in for a Voight-Kampff test (again).

Visually stunning with a beautiful and atmospheric score by Vangelis, this film has a lot going for it (IMO). Great performances all round; Harrison Ford plays the world-weary Deckard to a tee, Rutger Hauer is excellent as the brutal but fragile Roy Batty and Sean Young plays Rachael with just the right amount of fear. Also worthy of note are; Edward James Olmos as Gaff, M. Emmet Walsh as Bryant, Daryl Hannah as Pris, William Sanderson as J.F. Sebastian, Brion James as Leon, Joe Turkel as Dr. Eldon Tyrell and Joanna Cassidy as Zhora.

This is the second time I have seen this particular cut of the film and I have to say I like it just as much as the 1992 Director’s cut even though Ridley Scott didn’t have an awful lot to do with that version. If you are interested, you can find a list of the differences between these two cuts here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Versions_of_Blade_Runner#Differences

A very introspective film with all the action focused on Deckard and the Replicants without the audience really seeing much outside this group. Yes there are hints; the advertising for the off-world colonies, but apart from that it’s very insular. Moving on, I thought the effects were truly stunning, given that there was no CGI back then, although it has been used to enhance certain things in this cut, and the design, the look and the feel of the whole thing is superb. A world is created that the audience could easily imagine Los Angeles 2019 to be like… Ok, maybe not the flying cop cars, but you know what I mean. A truly excellent film that, for its day, has never been equalled.

SteelMonster’s verdict: VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My Score: 9.5/10

IMDb Score: 8.3/10 (based on 263,718 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0083658/

MetaScore: 88/100: (Based on 10 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 92/100 (based on 104 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 89/100 ‘Liked it’ (based on 288,583 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/blade_runner/

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Bryant: I need ya, Decks. This is a bad one, the worst yet. I need the old blade runner, I need your magic.

Rachael: May I ask you a personal question?
Deckard: Sure.
Rachael: Have you ever retired a human by mistake?
Deckard: No.

Deckard: She's a replicant, isn't she?
Tyrell: I'm impressed. How many questions does it usually take to spot them?
Deckard: I don't get it, Tyrell.
Tyrell: How many questions?
Deckard: Twenty, thirty, cross-referenced.
Tyrell: It took more than a hundred for Rachael, didn't it?
Deckard: [realizing Rachael believes she's human] She doesn't know.
Tyrell: She's beginning to suspect, I think.
Deckard: Suspect? How can it not know what it is?

…and my personal favourite:

Roy: I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I've watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.

LINKS:
Official Site: http://bladerunnerthemovie.warnerbros.com/
Trailer:

Film Review: DANGEROUS DAYS: THE MAKING OF BLADE RUNNER (2007)

Director: Charles de Lauzirika
Running time: 120 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): N/A

Genre: Documentary
UK Release date: 3^rd December 2007

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 17^th June 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

From the second time I saw the film ‘Blade Runner’ I loved it. The first time was not so good for me, totally disjointed; the theatrical release was a big disappointment. Having now watched this ‘making of’ documentary, I can now appreciate just how that happened and how it evolved into the version(s) we know (and love) today. I should say, for the record, I saw a cut-down version of this documentary; just the 120 minutes as opposed to the full 214 minutes. I would like to see the full version at some point though.

The film tells the story of how the film got made via interviews with those involved and a lot of footage that was shot on set as it was in production. There is a surprisingly large amount of this footage; much more than I expected. The interviews are very revealing with Ridley Scott, Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Daryl Hannah, Joanna Cassidy, Sean Young and Edward James Olmos all taking centre stage. The people behind the scenes are also allowed their say, the likes of; Michael Deeley, Douglas Trumbull, Alan Ladd Jr., David Webb Peoples and Hampton Fancher all getting their say. The many trials and tribulations that went on behind the scenes make for an interesting and absorbing documentary. It helps that it is one of my all-time favourite films, but even so, an interesting piece nonetheless.

For fans of the film it’s a must-see; if you’re just interested in the process of filmmaking but not particularly a fan of this picture, I’m sure you will still find plenty here of interest. Many things are revealed that some may find quite shocking; for instance (SPOILER ALERT) the fact the Ridley Scott was in favour of the voice-over at the beginning of the theatrical cut. Harrison Ford, on the other hand, didn’t think it was necessary. Personally, I am very pleased that in later cuts it was dropped; I’m with Ford on this one! (SPOILER ALERT: END). Over all, an absorbing and quite revealing insight into the making of an iconic film… RECOMMENDED.

My score: 8.1/10

IMDb Score: 8.5/10 (based on 649 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1080585/

MetaScore: No Data: (Based on 0 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: No Reviews Yet (based on 0 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 34/100 ‘Want to See’ (based on 353 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dangerous-days-making-blade-runnerdangerous-days/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Harrison Ford: It was a bitch.

Ridley Scott: My weapon was that camera. If you're there with me, great. If you're not there with me, too bad.

Hampton Fancher: [about the unicorn dream sequence] And my interpretation had nothing to with 'oh, that shows that Deckard's a replicant'. I don't think anything should show that Deckard's a replicant. If you think that, you're already wrong.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Trailer:

Film Review: MORNING GLORY (2010)

Director: Roger Michell
Running time: 104 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12

Genre: Comedy/Romance/Drama
UK Release date: 21^st January 2011

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 3^rd December 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is not the kind of film I would usually seek out; as some of you may know I’m not a massive fan of comedies, particularly Hollywood ones. That said, I do remember the critics giving the performance of Harrison Ford a bit of praise and so, as a bit of a fan of Mr Ford, I thought I’d give it a look. Well, as Hollywood comedies go, this one wasn’t too bad; I remember laughing out loud at least three times! I will give you my thoughts after this brief summary.

Having just lost her job, young TV producer Becky Fuller lands a new job at a New York based Network channel, IBS (yes, IBS, no misprint), where she has to rescue an ailing breakfast TV show. Her boss, Jerry Barnes, hasn’t given her long to turn the show around and so she goes in and immediately fires one of the anchors. She is allowed to replace him, but she can’t spend any money. She discovers that veteran newsman, Mike Pomeroy, is on contract to the studio and so she hires him. Things do not get off to a good start when fellow anchor, Colleen Peck, another veteran, does not get on at all with Mike. Eventually they are ready to go but Mike will only do hard news stories and everything looks doomed until Becky has a revelation… I won’t say much more, but needless to say there is the obligatory romance brewing in the background… Ok, no more or the Spoiler Police will be axing my evening slot on the Late Late Late Late show.

The film looks great with some nice exterior shots of New York featuring quite prominently. Birds seemed to feature quite a lot as well (for some reason). I did notice that one of the producers was J.J. Abrams, so I’m not surprised it looked so good. As far as performances go, well, Rachel McAdams did a decent job as Becky Fuller, as did Patrick Wilson as her love interest, Adam Bennett. Jeff Goldblum was efficient as her boss, Jerry Barnes and I thought John Pankow played her exec producer, Lenny Bergman very well. Finally, I have to praise both Harrison Ford as Mike Pomeroy and Diane Keaton as Colleen Peck. Both were outstanding and (for me) made this mediocre film (IMO) watchable.

I guess it is the subtle humour, combined with the two stand-out performances that swung it for me. It’s a fairly run-of-the-mill plot that doesn’t exactly tax the grey matter, but when you add to the mix someone like Harrison Ford it gives it a different dimension. I think you can probably guess that I quite liked this one. It’s not perfect though; I found the character of Becky far too perky at times, but McAdams did manage to carry it off (just). And so, unusually for me, a Hollywood comedy is deemed… Recommended, if only for the two stand-out roles and some subtle humour.

My score: 6.9/10.

IMDb Score: 6.5/10 (based on 18,852 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1126618/

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 54/100 (based on 167 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/morning-glory-2010/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Mike Pomeroy: I'm not saying the word fluffy!

Mike Pomeroy: You know what I've noticed, people only say "lighten up" when they're gonna stick their fist up your ass.

Becky Fuller: I will have you know that this show is very important to a lot of people, including, but not limited, to me! My ass on the line here.
Mike Pomeroy: Actually, your ass is irrelevant. You're just a footnote. It's my ass. My reputation. My integrity.
[pats his buttocks with both hands]
Mike Pomeroy: . MY ASS!

LINKS:
Official Site: http://www.morningglorymovie.com/#home
Trailer:

Film Review: BLADE RUNNER [Director’s Cut] (1982)

Director: Ridley Scott
Running time: 117 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Sci-Fi/Drama/Thriller
UK Release date: 9^th September 1982
NOTE: This DVD version hails from 1991

Watched on DVD Thursday 17^th November 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I have spoken to many fans of Science Fiction over the years and the vast majority of them always have something good to say about this film. Now I know there are those among you, mostly deranged people, who might hold a different view, but I am on the side of those who rate this film. I’ll even go so far as to say its right up there with the very best sci-fi films (if you ignore the original theatrical cut, which was truly awful). More of my praise after this brief summary.

There is an opening scrolling text on this version of the film that explains the set-up better than I ever could, here it is:

“Early in the 21st Century, THE TYRELL
CORPORATION advanced Robot evolution
into the NEXUS phase - a being virtually
identical to a human - known as a Replicant.

The NEXUS 6 Replicants were superior
in strength and agility, and at least equal
in intelligence, to the genetic engineers
who created them.

Replicants were used Off-World as
slave labour, in the hazardous exploration and
colonization of other planets.

After a bloody mutiny by a NEXUS 6
combat team in an Off-World colony,
Replicants were declared illegal
on earth - under penalty of death.

Special police squads - BLADE RUNNER
UNITS - had orders to shoot to kill, upon
detection, any trespassing Replicant.

This was not called execution.

It was called retirement.”

Now you’ve read that I shall continue… Four Replicants have jumped ship, killed the crew and the passengers and made it to Earth. They are; Roy Batty, Pris, Leon Kowalski and Zhora. A retired Blade Runner, Rick Deckard, is brought in to hunt down and ‘retire’ these Replicants. He is first sent to the Tyrell Corporation where he meets Rachael, a Nexus 6 Replicant. At the time she is unaware of the fact, but Dr. Eldon Tyrell assures Deckard that she’s ‘special’. Leon had murdered another Blade Runner, Holden, and Deckard goes to Leon’s apartment where he finds a clue. Little does he know, the Replicants are also trying to find someone… Someone high up. I’ll leave it there or the Spoiler Police will be calling me in for a Voight-Kampff test (again).

Visually stunning with a beautiful and atmospheric score by Vangelis, this film has a lot going for it (IMO). Great performances all round; Harrison Ford plays the world-weary Deckard to a tee, Rutger Hauer is excellent as the brutal but fragile Roy Batty and Sean Young plays Rachael with just the right amount of fear. Also worthy of note are; Edward James Olmos as Gaff, M. Emmet Walsh as Bryant, Daryl Hannah as Pris, William Sanderson as J.F. Sebastian, Brion James as Leon, Joe Turkel as Dr. Eldon Tyrell and Joanna Cassidy as Zhora.

I have seen this film many times before but this is the first time I realised just how introspective it is. All the action is focused on Deckard and the Replicants without the audience really seeing much outside this group. Yes there are hints; the advertising for the off-world colonies, but apart from that it’s very insular. Moving on, I thought the effects were truly stunning, given that there was no CGI back then and the design, the look and the feel of the whole thing is superb. A world is created that the audience could easily imagine Los Angeles 2019 to be like… Ok, maybe not the flying cop cars, but you know what I mean. Yes, it does tend to drag on a bit towards the end, but I can forgive that for a truly excellent film that, for its day, has never been equalled… VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My Score: 9.5/10

IMDb Score: 8.3/10 (based on 223,454 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0083658/

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92/100 (based on 101 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/blade_runner/

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Bryant: I need ya, Decks. This is a bad one, the worst yet. I need the old blade runner, I need your magic.

Rachael: May I ask you a personal question?
Deckard: Sure.
Rachael: Have you ever retired a human by mistake?
Deckard: No.

Deckard: She's a replicant, isn't she?
Tyrell: I'm impressed. How many questions does it usually take to spot them?
Deckard: I don't get it, Tyrell.
Tyrell: How many questions?
Deckard: Twenty, thirty, cross-referenced.
Tyrell: It took more than a hundred for Rachael, didn't it?
Deckard: [realizing Rachael believes she's human] She doesn't know.
Tyrell: She's beginning to suspect, I think.
Deckard: Suspect? How can it not know what it is?

…and my personal favourite:

Roy: I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I've watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.

LINKS:
Official Site: http://bladerunnerthemovie.warnerbros.com/
Trailer:

Film Review: COWBOYS & ALIENS (2011)

Director: Jon Favreau
Running time: 118 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12A

Genre: Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller
UK Release date: 17^th August 2011

Watched at the cinema Saturday 20^th August 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I must admit I was intrigued by this one when I first heard about it almost a year ago. In recent weeks I have seen the trailer several times and this has only intensified my interest. Despite a few poor reviews from across the pond I was still determined to make my own mind up (as I do with most things) and so when it came up at my local cinema I was there. While it’s neither the greatest Western ever made, nor the greatest Sci-Fi film ever made, I still found it very entertaining, exciting and just about everything you’d want to fill a damp Saturday afternoon. I will give you my thoughts after this brief summary.

When a man is found in the wilderness with no knowledge of who he is or how he came to be there, it intrigued me. When this man finds a strange metal bracelet on his wrist and defends himself with great skill against a group of drifters, I was hooked. The man, who we later find out, is Jake Lonergan, rides into the local town only to find he is a wanted man. A mysterious woman, Ella Swenson, keeps asking him questions that he can’t answer. A local rancher, a powerful man, Woodrow Dolarhyde, comes into town because Lonergan had had a run in with his son, Percy. Just as Lonergan is to be taken away by Marshals, there is an attack by a group of aliens in strange flying craft. Lonergan manages to bring one down using the bracelet, which appears to be some kind of weapon. Its occupant, however, escapes into the dark. During the attack several of the townsfolk are kidnapped, including Percy, and it’s now up to a small band, put together by Dolarhyde, to track the alien and bring back those victims. Many secrets are revealed on the way about Lonergan’s past and Ella Swenson’s secret, but I cannot say more or the alien branch of the Spoiler Police will have me abducted (again).

A very well made film with some excellent CGI. All of the battle scenes were outstandingly choreographed with some great stunts, hats off to those guys. Performance-wise, everyone was very good; Daniel Craig did a decent job as Jake Lonergan, although I felt the role didn’t come all the naturally to him. Harrison Ford was excellent, as ever, as the crotchety Woodrow Dolarhyde. Olivia Wilde was great as the mysterious Ella Swenson and Sam Rockwell played the barkeeper Doc with his usual skill.

If I have one criticism of the production, it’s that a lot of the action took place in the dark, which made it difficult to see just who was fighting who (or what) half the time. It’s lucky this one wasn’t made in 3D or the 3D fans (who don’t include me) would have had a hell of a time! The aliens were suitable scary, well designed, if I was younger they might have given me nightmares. Over all though, I found it a much more entertaining film than the title might suggest… Recommended.

My score: 6.8/10

IMDb Score: 6.6/10 (based on 14,756 votes when this review was written).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0409847/

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 45/100 (based on 209 reviews counted when this review was written).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cowboys_and_aliens/

LINKS:
Official Site: http://www.cowboysandaliensmovie.com/
Official Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cowboysandaliens
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/cowboysaliens
Trailer:

Film Review: EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES (2010)

Director: Tom Vaughan
Running time: 106 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): PG

Genre: Drama
UK Release date: 26th February 2010

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 6th March 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I remember when this came out it got a fair share of decent, if not spectacular, reviews from the critics. I was interested to see it, not only for that, but also to see how Brendan Fraser copes with a dramatic role, quite a departure for him. For the first part, the critics were right, to an extent, and for the second part… well I tell you about that later. Here’s a brief summary first (summary haters and those that don’t wish to know anything about the plot please discover something brilliantly scientific while I write the next paragraph).

Advertising executive John Crowley and his wife, Aileen, have three children; John Jr., Patrick and Megan. Unfortunately both Patrick and Megan have Pompe disease, a genetic anomaly that kills most before a child’s tenth birthday. As Megan nears her tenth birthday John and Aileen become more desperate. So much so that John tries to contact and eventually goes to see the scientist whose research shows the best promise, Dr. Robert Stonehill. Now Stonehill is not the easiest person to get along with, very focused on his work but John eventually gets him to listen. The main problem is funding but John sets up a charitable foundation to help raise money for the work. Stonehill then offers to set up a company with John to develop a cure for Pompe. So John quits his job and they set off on an uncertain path looking for funding for their new venture. A big risk for John because if he fails there is no hope for his kids.

I must say that this film put me in mind of the 1992 film Lorenzo's Oil starring Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon. Unfortunately, it’s not as good as that one. It’s quite well made but I found the subject matter a bit dry. There are lots of meetings with either corporate or scientific jargon that, I’m sure, would be beyond the understanding of most viewers. The best thing about it is Harrison Ford as Dr. Robert Stonehill; it definitely improves when he’s on screen. Brendan Fraser did ok as John Crowley, but more of him later. Also worth a mention are Keri Russell as Aileen Crowley, Meredith Droeger as Megan Crowley, Diego Velazquez as Patrick Crowley and Sam M. Hall as John Crowley Jr.

For a film that is supposed to be a heart-warming tale I’m afraid it missed the mark but some distance, for me. Brendan Fraser was ok in the scenes with the kids, and even in some of the scenes with Harrison Ford he did alright, but when he had to show any real emotion I felt he struggled. Maybe it’s because he’s played so many comedic roles, but I just wasn’t convinced by him. Over all, the film isn’t too great, but it’s quite well made and Harrison Ford is pretty good, but not quite good enough to save it I’m afraid… Not recommended.

My score: 5.1/10

LINKS:
(RT = Rotten Tomatoes)
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1244659/
RT Page: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/extraordinary_measures/
Official Site: http://extraordinarymeasuresthemovie.com/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2237007129/

Film Review: INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL (2008)

Director: Steven Spielberg
Writers: David Koepp (Screenplay), George Lucas and Jeff Nathanson (Story)
Running time: 117 mins (approx)
Certificate (UK): 12A

Watched on DVD Monday 31st August 2009.

PLEASE NOTE: POSSIBLE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Having seen all three of the previous films in this franchise, I was interested to see what the fourth one would bring, particularly with there being such a big gap since the third. I guess I’m asking a lot for it to be as good, if not better than the first three, but I put the disc in the machine with a glimpse of hope in my heart. I remember not long after it came out the news reports were a bit quiet, and now I know why. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good, but not as good as the other three, unfortunately by some margin. It’s almost as if the writers had run out of good ideas, the acting, production, direction and cinematography were all fine, but the script fell a tad short of the mark. Anyhow, let me tell you a bit about the plot.

It’s 1957 and Professor Jones and his sidekick ‘Mac’ have been kidnapped by the Russians and taken to a secret US military storage facility. They want Prof. Jones to locate a particular crate that he was responsible for packing back in 1947. Having located the crate and escaping the Russians, using the cover of a nuclear test, Prof. Jones returns to teaching. He is not there for long when he is told that the FBI are putting pressure on the Dean to have him removed. He leaves only to be met by the young Mutt Williams, who tells him about how his old friend and colleague Professor Oxley has disappeared whilst working in Peru. Following clues in a letter written to Prof. Jones, the pair decide to try to find Prof. Oxley. Unfortunately, the Russians would also like to know the whereabouts of Professor Oxley…

The plot has a lot of twists and turns in it, my little summary of the beginning doesn’t do it justice. I think the trouble is the plot is a bit too complicated; it’s almost as if all the ideas for an Indiana Jones film were poured out in this one movie. I hope they’ve kept some back. Anyway, great performances from all of the main characters, Harrison Ford strapping on the whip once again as Indiana Jones, Cate Blanchett as his evil Russian nemesis Irina Spalko, Karen Allen reprising her role as Marion Ravenwood, Shia LaBeouf as the young Mutt Williams, Ray Winstone as ‘Mac’ George Michale and John Hurt as Professor Oxley. As I said at the beginning, great production and direction, as we should expect from Steven Spielberg, but just lacking something in the script department.

My score: 6.5/10

LINKS:
IMDb Site: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0367882/
Official Site: http://www.indianajones.com/site/index.html