Today’s the day! Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is finally being unearthed for audiences across the country. My excitement level is pretty high. I’m glad the reviews have been coming in positive, but I think no matter what, there will always be an undercurrent of negativity directed at revived franchises.

Indy has always been about pure entertainment. He lives in a strange, supernatural world and because he’s so astonished by his findings, it’s easy for the audience to go along for the ride. There’s always an abundance of action, sticky situations that require quick thinking, and silly jokes. Anyone walking into Crystal Skull expecting anything more than that is foolish and deserves to have their “childhood raped” (in the words of bitching talkbackers).

Seriously, I’m the first person to admit I have an unhealthy obsession with Star Wars, to the point where I love every single movie from the series, despite their flaws (and also own a sizable collection of unopened toys, but let’s not dwell on that). I have high expectations, but always try to approach these movies from a kid’s perspective. Because, really, that’s why we love all these movies — we loved them as kids. We saw them at an impressionable age where you could still dream of becoming a fedora-wearing archaeologist, a Jedi Master, or even a Goonie. As you grow up and realize you’re just an accountant with a plastic lightsaber, it’s harder to be enchanted by films. So you’re eternally chasing that high you used to get watching Ghostbusters as a kid, expecting to have a transcendent experience that will change your life again. That’s why people are always disappointed with these big movies. They beg and hope and pray for another installment, then call Lucas a failure when he can’t make them six again.

At no point do I ever feel like Lucas has ruined my childhood by making new movies, and I don’t think having a new Indiana Jones adventure can ever be a bad thing. I understand if someone simply didn’t like a movie, but when people start claiming they’re forever scarred by the experience, I’m baffled. Besides, if you don’t like a movie, go out and make your own. See how simple it is to capture imaginations. It’s a lot easier to be a critic than a creator.

Now go out and ENJOY the return of Dr. Jones!!

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 at 9:47 am and is filed under Editorial, Film. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.