This is yet another iconic movie character, Indiana Jones. McClane, Bond, Luke, Hannibal, Gump, Terminator, all of them immediately recognizable, both as their characters and the actors that play them. Characters that young and old people grow to love, both for their hero qualities and the real human qualities that we can all relate to, that make us feel that we "know" what the character is going through. Indiana is clearly no different. He defines action hero. He is not the anti-hero, he is not the feel pity for me, he is the f*ck ya I am America and can get out of every situation, no matter how dire.
George Lucas and Steven Spielberg teamed up to create these adventures. Both remembering matinee shows from when they were young, short 15 minute adventures that always ended on "to be continued..." with the protagonist always getting out of the crazy predicaments he found himself in in the next episode. There was a debate between Lucas and Spielberg on who to use as Jones. Spielberg first suggested Harrison Ford to play the part, but Lucas resisted due to already casting him in "American Graffiti" and the first two Star Wars films. After a long search they settled on Tom Selleck. They were only a few weeks from filming when CBS refused to let Selleck film "Raiders of the Lost Ark" because they were set to start filming "Magnum PI". After this setback, Lucas relented and called in Ford to film. No one can argue against that the right choice was made.
Crusade is the last of the original three Indiana movies. Luckily it stayed true to the formula of the first movie, and gave just as many thrills as smiles, and still had the grand fanciful storyline to guide the adventure. The movie includes Sean Connery as Indiana's father. Both a surprising appearance, and a memorable one. Its not the Sean Connery suave that made Bond who he was, but an aloof, archaeologist who seems to lose himself in his work continuously. Once both are on screen together, their joking father son dynamic keeps the mood light, even in moments of peril. The other smaller support characters play convincing parts, and as outlandish as the Nazi characters are, it all fits.
The cinematography is great and having Spielberg direct Lucas' ideas and vision works out like most of us would have liked "A New Hope" and "Return of the Jedi" to turn out like. I say that because most will argue "Empire Strikes Back" was the best Star Wars film, and it was not directed by Lucas. The music is again spot on, and that is expected from John Williams, whose resume looks a little like this, every Star Wars, Superman, Indiana Jones, Hook,
Schindlers List, Saving Private Ryan, all of the Harry Potters, and that's not including all of his TV credits and countless other films.
Interesting tidbit about naming Indiana Jones. Originally he was to be Indiana Smith, Indiana coming from Lucas' own Alaskan Malamute. Spielberg thought Smith was a little too generic and convinced Lucas that Jones was a better fit. If you pay close attention to the film, there is an Alaskan Malamute in the Jones' house at the beginning of the film, and Connery's character calls Indy, Jr through the whole movie. Finally revealing at the end that his chosen nick name of Indiana was in fact dogs name.
Overall this is another very fun, enjoyable movie for all. Good characters that are not exactly superbly played but still great, and cheesiness that just adds to the fun. Clearly if you have not seen the orignal three, Crystal Skull is not really a must see, it is time.
Score: 8.7 Another must see classic.
Lastly my favorite quote:[after commandeering a plane]
Professor Henry Jones: I didn't know you could fly a plane.
Indiana Jones: Fly, yes. Land, no.
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