Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull [Blu-ray]
by Steven Spielberg
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Blu-ray details
Actor: Cate Blanchett, Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Ray Winstone, Shia LaBeoufDirector: Steven Spielberg
Brand: PARAMOUNT HOME VIDEO
Writer: David Koepp
Writer: George Lucas
Writer: Jeff Nathanson
Writer: Philip Kaufman
Blu-ray: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); Portuguese (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 122 minutes
Blu-ray Release Date: 2008-10-14
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Paramount
Blu-ray Reviews of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull [Blu-ray]
Blu-ray Review: Blu-ray: Although not the best Indiana Jones film, the blu-ray release looks and sounds incredible and loaded with special feat.
Summary: 4 Stars
It had been nearly 20 years since the third "Indiana Jones" film ("Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade") was in theaters. Popular director/producers Steven Spielberg ("Jaws", "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", "E.T.", "Jurassic Park" and many more) and George Lucas ("Star Wars" films and "American Graffiti") who worked on the trilogy billed the third film as the final film but in the last two decades, both men including Indiana Jones main actor, Harrison Ford ("Star Wars" related films, "Air Force One", "Patriot Games", etc.) , have been asked when the next "Indiana Jones" film will be created.
According to Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford brought it up to him in the late 90's about doing another film and sure enough, the stars were aligned (mainly Spielberg finding a story from Lucas that he and Ford would both approve of) and thus a new Indiana Jones film was created. The film would reunite Spielberg, Lucas and Ford with composer John Williams ("Jurassic Park" films, "Star Wars" films, "Indiana Jones" films, "Harry Potter" related films, etc.), editor Michael Kahn and Stan Winston Studio. The film would have a screenplay by David Koepp ("Jurassic Park", "Mission: Impossible" and "Spider-Man"), cinematography by Janusz Kaminski ("Saving Private Ryan", "Schindler's List" and "War of the Worlds") and production designs by Guy Dyas ("X2' and "Superman Returns").
The film would reprise the Indiana Jones role made popular by Harrison Ford, mark the return of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" actress Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood and star top talents Cate Blanchett ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", "The Lord of the Rings" films and "Babel") as Dr. Irina Spalko, Shia LaBeouf ("The Transformers" films, "Eagle Eye" and "The Greatest Game Ever Played") as Mutt Williams, John Hurt ("The Lord of the Rings" films, "Harry Potter" films and "V for Vendetta") as Professor Oxley and Jim Broadbent ("Harry Potter", "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and "Robots") as Dean Charles Standsforth.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" is featured in 1080p High Definition and right off the bat, this film looks incredibly gorgeous on Blu-ray. The film sports vibrant colors, detail is just amazingly clear, everything about the film showcases detail. May it be the surroundings of the Mayan jungle, the skeletons, the clothing, the people... You name it, detail is clear and the transfer is just amazing. Definitely one of the best looking Blu-ray video transfers among the many Blu-ray releases of 2008!
As for audio, audio is presented in Dolby TrueHD 5.1. and the lossless track is just as equally incredible compared to the picture quality. With the number of action sequences included in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull", audio is immersive as front channels showcase the action sequences and musical score, center channel showcases the dialogue which is nice and clear. LFE showcases the booms from the many explosions seen in the film and gunshots and vehicles whizzing and featured through the surrounds are also in abundance.
Personally, for a film of this caliber, I was not expecting anything less than magnificent for picture and audio quality and Paramount delivers with this awesome Blu-ray release. Audio and Videophiles should definitely be happy with this Blu-ray release.
As for subtitles, the film is featured in English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
If you thought picture and audio quality was fantastic, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" is loaded with special features. Special features can be found on both discs. Here is what is included:
DISC 1:
* Indiana Jones Timelines - This timeline showcases the creation of the "Indiana Jones" films. From the beginning of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" up to the end of this fourth film. A pretty cool feature (with text and images) for those interested in learning about the timeline of production, the history of the film and more.
* The Return of a Legend - (17:34) Interviews with Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Harrison Ford and the executive producers of the film in regards to bringing Indiana Jones back to film. Featured in High Definition.
* Pre-Production - (11:42) Interviews with the main staff and talent about working together, working with talent such as Shia LaBeouf, interviews with Daniel D. Gregoire (Pre-Visualization Supervisor) and Harrison Ford getting reacquainted with Indiana Jones whip. Featured in High Definition.
* Trailers - Featuring "Trailer 2' (1:52) and "Trailer 3' (1:55) for the film.
DISC 2:
* Production Diary: Making "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - (1:20:52) An informative making-of with plenty of detail on the making of the film and interview with various crew members in their department. From the various locations where the film was shot, the amount of work it took in creating the set and much more. Overall, an informative and enjoyable making-of featurette. Featured in HD, the diary can be viewed by playing all or selecting the following:
- Shooting Begins: New Mexico
- Back to School: New Haven Connecticut
- Welcome to the Jungle. Hilo, Hawaii
- On-Set Action
- Exploring Akator
- Wrapping Up!
* Warrior Makeup - (5:32) Interview with Felicity Bowring (Makeup Department Head) and how they had to provide the makeup for 26 people for the tribe-scene and the amount of hours it took in getting the actors prepared. Featured in HD.
* The Crystal Skull - (10:09) Featuring interviews with Spielberg, Lucas and Ford about the actual crystal skull. Interviews with Guy Hendrix Dyas (Production Designer) and John Rosengrant (Harry Winston Studio/Effects Supervisor) in regards to the creation of the crystal skull. Featured in HD.
* Iconic Props - (9:59) Doug Harlocker (Property Manager) introduces the viewer to the various props and how they were created. Featured in HD.
* The Effects of Indy - (22:42) Interviews with staff of ILM (Industry Lights & Magic) in regards to the special effects used for the film. Featured in HD.
* Adventures in Post-Production - (12:44) Frank Marshall talks about the editing of the film and working with Michael Kahn, A.C.E. who provided the editing for the film and working with John Williams for the music.
* Closing: Team Indy - (3:41) A video montage of the staff that worked on the film.
* Pre-Visualization Sequences - Featuring pre-CG rendered visualization screens for Area 51 Escape (3:46), Jungle Chase (5:47) and Ants Attack (4:29).
* Galleries - Photo galleries which can be viewed by using your Blu-ray remote control of: The Art Department (The Adventure Beings, Cemetery, Akator), Stan Winston Studio (Corpses, Skeletons & Mummies, Aliens & Crystal Skulls), Production Photographs, Portraits and Behind-the-Scenes Photographs.
JUDGMENT CALL:
The return of Indiana Jones is quite literally a long time coming. It's hard to believe that 20 years have passed and suffice to say, like everyone who are fans of the original trilogy, had high expectations towards the film.
For the most part, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" delivered when it came to action and excitement. Harrison Ford ultimately still has it, when it comes to playing Indiana Jones. Such as awesome actor, that it was great to see him again. Also, the return of Karen Allen, reprising her role as Marion Ravenwood was just fantastic. For those who loved "Raiders of the Lost Ark", no one can help but be giddy of seeing Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood together again!
And of course, you have solid talent involved in the film such as Cate Blanchett as the evil Dr. Irina Spalko, John Hurt as Professor Oxley and also Shia LaBeouf as Mutt Williams.
I enjoyed the film, not necessarily loved it. In one of the featurettes, you learn that what George Lucas wanted to bring to the film is that B-film sci-fi campiness and needless to say, you can understand why the development of this film was tricky. Granted, we necessarily don't get heavy extraterrestrial action but those elements are still in the film with these beings and of course, the crystal skull itself. I enjoyed the film so much for the adventure and action elements of the film but once the film starts to incorporate the who and what the crystal skull is. And while interesting, personally, it just didn't feel right.
But in the end, I enjoyed the film and found it quite entertaining and as a fan of the previous films, it was just great to see Indiana Jones back again!
Overall, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" is a solid release from Paramount. For a big Summer blockbuster, you expect the bells and whistles for this film for a Blu-ray release, but most importantly, how iconic Indiana Jones is as a character, the previous trilogy are regarded by fans as a wonderful trilogy, needless to say, anything less of magnificent would have been a disappointment.
But in the end, Paramount delivers with a magnificent release as "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" scores top marks for picture and audio quality but also special features content. Highly recommended!
Description of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull [Blu-ray]
Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 10/14/2008 Run time: 122 minutes Rating: Pg13Nearly 20 years after riding his last Crusade, Harrison Ford makes a welcome return as archaeologist/relic hunter Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, an action-packed fourth installment that's, in a nutshell, less memorable than the first three but great nostalgia for fans of the series. Producer George Lucas and screenwriter David Koepp (War of the Worlds) set the film during the cold war, as the Soviets--replacing Nazis as Indy's villains of choice and led by a sword-wielding Cate Blanchett with black bob and sunglasses--are in pursuit of a crystal skull, which has mystical powers related to a city of gold. After escaping from them in a spectacular opening action sequence, Indy is coerced to head to Peru at the behest of a young greaser (Shia LaBeouf) whose friend--and Indy's colleague--Professor Oxley (John Hurt) has been captured for his knowledge of the skull's whereabouts. Whatever secrets the skull holds are tertiary; its reveal is the weakest part of the movie, as the CGI effects that inevitably accompany it feel jarring next to the boulder-rolling world of Indy audiences knew and loved. There's plenty of comedy, delightful stunts--ants play a deadly role here--and the return of Raiders love interest Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood, once shrill but now softened, giving her ex-love bemused glances and eye-rolls as he huffs his way to save the day. Which brings us to Ford: bullwhip still in hand, he's a little creakier, a lot grayer, but still twice the action hero of anyone in film today. With all the anticipation and hype leading up to the film's release, perhaps no reunion is sweeter than that of Ford with the role that fits him as snugly as that fedora hat. --Ellen A. Kim
Stills from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Click for larger image)
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