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Created May 22, 2008 09:49PM PST • Edited May 22, 2008 09:49PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   This latest installment stays true to the film series while taking Indy, well played by Harrison Ford, to another level not seen yet.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   Ford does great physically and mentally after a touchy beginning. Cate Blanchett plays the antagonist Irina Spalko, a Russian special agent has a unique point-of-view makes her a less menacing enemy, easing the overall tension, but she still packs a good punch. Karen Allen reprises her role as Marion Ravenwood from the first film and LaBeouf has great chemistry with the cast and brings some essential emotions into the plot, which could’ve been built up more to enhance some ensuing twists instead jabbing the painfully predictable “old” jokes at Indy. Mutt clings to his tough guy attitude while he tries to find direction in his life. A trio of excellent British actors also boost the cast. Ray Winstone plays Indy’s burly associate, Mac; Jim Broadbent plays the Indy’s college dean and almost unrecognizable John Hurt plays Professor Oxley.

5. Male Stars Very Good 3.5

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars Very Good 3.5

8. Male Costars Very Good 3.5

10. Film

    Great 4.0

    Director Steven Spielberg and George Lucas sustain a high level of continuity making every effort to reunite the core crew members and the production team. Filmmakers do a nice job capturing the time period. Special effects by Industrial Light & Magic keep the realistic stunts and visuals intact. Indy gets several memorable and lengthy lines, strengthened by Ford’s intonation and steadfast voice, but screenwriters could’ve reduced the tiresome riddle elements a bit.

11. Direction Great 4.0

12. Play Great 4.0

13. Music Great 4.0

14. Visuals Great 4.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.5

    Non-stop action with touches of humor overshadow the scares and tension in this film. Without ‘heart’ stopping scenes, like in (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom , screenwriters push more nostalgic scenes into the usual Indy formula.

17. Sex Titillating 2.5

18. Violence Fierce 2.5

19. Rudeness Salty 2.5

21. Reality

    Glib 1.9

    The plot contain some great themes (e.g. “stay in school”, “do what you love“) amid the standard history lessons, myth debunking and some famous name dropping, but nothing really innovative. Audiences not looking for anything different can expect all the standard scenery, exotic locations and, of course, creepy critters. The only extraordinary limits pushed are the actions themselves, especially in the beginning sequence in New Mexico with Indy and the Amazon jungle sequence high the trees with Mutt.

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.9

23. Biological Glib 1.9

24. Physical Glib 1.9