Fast, funny times in “the Crystal Skull”

By Allison Brophy Champion

Published: May 30, 2008

Harrison Ford, at 65, is remarkably well preserved.

Perhaps it’s all that super-natural contact with the Ark of the Covenant that’s kept him looking so young. Maybe he’s sold his soul to the devil.

(Maybe it’s Botox).

Either way, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” proves that Harrison Ford still has it — sex appeal.

He still has that quirky Indy way about him too and delivers the character’s dry humor and under-the-breath comments we all know and love dead-on.

To be truthful, I expected this fourth Indiana Jones installment, released nearly 20 years after the last one — supposedly “the Last Crusade” — to suck because the last, last one kind of did. Sorry: it was no “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

But no, I’m in adventure heaven over the latest chapter in the famed George Lucas, Steven Spielberg adventure series. “The Crystal Skull” is funny and fast and never once caused boredom.

Though Ford is still the star, Shia LaBeouf, a 21-year-old from L.A., as Mutt Williams steals the show. He is really good as the college dropout greaser/biker who knows lots about history.

Love the hair.

The year is 1957 and the Russians are not exactly best friends with America. Ducktails and beehive hairdos are all the rage.

The movie blasts onto the screen with Elvis and hotrods and a race through the dessert of Nevada. Here in the middle of it is a vast military warehouse, housing a vast collection of mystic artifacts, including the Ark, of which vigilant fans can catch a quick glimpse on the way out.

The Russians, led by the driven, no-nonsense Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett), want in.

Blanchett is watchable as Indy’s energetic and (of course) beautiful nemesis. She and her comrades have captured the hat-wearing professor and he’ll lead them to what they seek — the powerful Crystal Skull, a deity carving from the mythical City of Gold stolen in the 1400s from the jungles of the Amazon.

The Russians want it to increase their arsenal — something about “a new frontier of psychic warfare,” Ms. Spalko says.

But Indy escapes like he always does after some fun with magnets and nearly getting blasted in a nuclear bomb test.

The latter is a really cool scene (think Frigidaire).

So begins Indy’s quest and some research is in order. He vows to return the skull to its rightful place before the Rus-sians.

Along the way, Indy meets up with Mutt and the two learn they have a mutual friend in Professor Oxley (John Hurt), a crazed old man under the power of the skull and in the Russian’s captivity.

The veteran actor adds yet another layer of silliness to the movie and is a good fit.

So is Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood, Indy’s love interest in “Raiders.” The two have a lot of history and it’s nice to see them reunited.

Actors and actresses aside, “The Crystal Skull” excels as a summer blockbuster for its spare-no-expense effects, in-sanely exciting chase scenes and classic Indiana Jones’ touches throughout.

Snakes? Check.

Monkeys? Check.

Bugs? Check.

Exotic locations? Check.

George Lucas and Steven Spielberg we’re not worthy.

E.T. goes home in “The Crystal Skull” — huh? — and all right that’s a bit of a stretch.

Otherwise, Indiana Jones is back in a big way, full of surprises and action and not taking itself too seriously.

Allison Brophy Champion can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 101 or

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Rated PG-13
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen and John Hurt
2 hours and four minutes
Four stars out of five