** I want to thank all of the critics and other people who got a chance to see
this film before I did. ** As a result of the "apparent" consensus view that
the new Indiana Jones movie is "not good" -- we went to a sold-out showing this
afternoon with very low expectations. The result was an experience that was in
fact -- for us -- pretty darn good. It has some pacing issues -- but
nit-pickers using yardsticks similar to what they'd apply to a "serious
picture" -- should NOT see this film. I agree it's pointless to apply deep
logic to an action-adventure franchise that's comparable to James Bond. This
is a popcorn experience that holds together pretty well. In fact, if I have
any criticism, it's that it feels a little slow in spots. ** However, the
action sequences are marvelous and all the gripes about the CGI and the "fake
looking" jungles and what not -- honestly, I don't think the average person
cares -- AS LONG as he or she feels engaged. I think many saw the "paranormal
/ sci-fi" angle coming a mile away. I agree the actors are going through the
motions -- but I was not expecting -- nor wanted -- anything out of the Lee
Strasberg school of acting anyway. I was led to believe the wonderful Karen
Allen was only a small part of this film. True, she has very few lines -- but
she has a LOT of screen time and I loved it. She looks much older, yet still
has that magnetic radiance that made me love her in "Animal House" -- and in
the first Indy picture in 1981. ** What caught me off guard was the very last
scene in the film. I won't give it away but will say it's a crowd pleaser.
While many will feel it's cornball as all get out, I did not see it coming and
felt it was appropriate sentimentalism for a picture like this. It worked
marvelously and had us smiling as we walked out of the theater. ** Finally, I
think there will always be a great reservoir of resentment that makes it almost
"fashionably cool to hate Spielberg." Some will never concede he's good at
anything except making money -- and feel they must always qualify their praise
-- that is, if must give him a prop for anything he does well – they take
something away that has the sum effect of leaving people the impression that he
is the purist definition of being "overrated" and/or the personification of
"mediocrity" in Hollywood. The new Lucas/Spielberg effort was about an "8" on
a 1-10 scale -- and thank goodness -- it was NOT the "Phantom Menace"
disappointment I feared. It will be forgotten in a few months -- but it
accomplishes what it sets out to do. More wonderful -- was seeing hundreds of
children in the audience, many with their parents, thoroughly engrossed with
the film. I always love to see this. Not every scene must be filled with
breath-taking action. There was even applause as the end credits rolled. Most
important, I did not feel that my money -- or more important, my time -- were
ripped off.
Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com
___________________________________________________________________
How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List
Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L
The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
