This was THE summer event movie for me. Having seen this movie, my life feels that much more complete or something. Harrison Ford and Karen Allen are back (as Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood) and they brought along Shia LeBouf as protégé Mutt Williams for the ride. The three of them have fantastic chemistry on screen and Harrison is just as active as he was in the 80s, which is incredibly impressive.

Rather than try and fool people into thinking Indy is just as young as he was in the original trilogy, the movie is set in 1957, 19 years after Indy’s so-called Last Crusade. And no time is wasted in the opening credits as a group of hot-rodding 50s teens race across the New Mexico dessert to the sounds of Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” and get into a drag race with the lead car of an Army caravan. But things are not always as they appear… Forgoing Nazi’s for the Red Scare, the film introduces Irina Spalko (magnificently portrayed by Cate Blanchett, who looks like she has quite a good time “swallowing those ‘wuba-yous’”), a psychic agent/scientist searching the globe for ways to spread Russia’s Communist views across America. Racing from the desserts of New Mexico to the library of Marshall college and the jungles of Peru to the banks of the Amazon, it’s hard not to crack a grin as we follow Indy through his latest adventure.

Musically, John Williams does a fantastic job as always (who am I kidding? The guy can’t lose!). One titillating bit was when I thought I heard a bit from Hook at one point…

I wonder….at one point Indy mentions being kidnapped by Pancho Villa when he was about Mutt’s age…I wonder if that’s a Young Indiana Jones episode….hmmmm…according to Wikipedia it is…cool!

When Charles Stanforth (Jim Broadbent in a surrogate Denholm Elliot/Marcus Brody role as Dean of Marshall College) interrupts Indiana in class (in a callback to the first and third movies where Marcus just strolls into class), Indiana instructs the students to open up Michaelson chapter 4, which was part of the assignment from the lecture in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Haha!

The internet (read the world-writ-large) had pegged John Hurt as Abner Ravenwood, but surprise! The internet was WRONG! *GASP* What will this do to my 401-K? John Hurt plays Professor Harold Oxley (I thought I heard Donald, but I guess I’m crazy), an old college buddy of Henry Jones Jr.

The Janitor from Scrubs plays one of the FBI agents who interrogates Indy, McCarthy style.  Nothing else happens with that subplot (they force Indy out of work and then get him a better job in the end), but it’s fun to see The Janitor.
Oh…and while I will go to the Bridge theatre again (Howard Hughes Promenade), I’m not very happy. Courtesy of my twitter feed….

An intriguing adaptation, I for sure learned one thing: I’m never seeing a midnight showing at Bella Terra again. I’m all for having a geek out cheer when Miraz is killed, but it doesn’t necessitate a 30 second dialogue that PREVENTS ME FROM HEARING THE GORRAM MOVIE!!!!!!!

Aside from that I enjoyed the film very much. Not sure how I feel about the added battle (Adamson wanted to highlight the tension between Peter and Caspian and wanted Greek mythological creatures storming a castle), but it’s still a good time at the movies.

Fascinating movie about a Ju Jitsu instructor (Chiwetel Ejiofor) whose lives his life by a strict code of honor that comes under attack from every angle. Written and directed by David Mamet. I REALLY enjoyed this movie. The code of honor held by Chwitel was very similar to the system that warrior cultures of the past (hence why I was so fascinated with the movie).

Also star Tim Allen in a highly unusual role…one that features far less comedy than usual. I think he pulls it off nicely.

Ahmed Best was one of the stunt men?!? But he’s not listed on the movie’s IMDB page and his personal website is ancient?!?!

This movie is absolutely incredible. It’s actually kind of depressing how well Marvel is doing with their adaptations considering I’m a DC fanboy, but I can live with just getting great geek moments.

Highlights?

• The Mach-3 suit. It’s so gorgeous watching it in action.
• The technology behind the suit and Jarvis (Stark’s home computer)….it’s got holographic projectors that are both touch and laser pen intractable….*drool*
• Stan Lee’s cameo in a Hugh-Hefner-esque robe
• Robert Downey Jr. I’ve been a Downey Jr. fan, despite his rehab nonsense, since the early 90′s when I saw a movie called Heart and Souls, and I absolutely LOVED Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. He tackles this role and handles it with lots of aplomb (great to hear that he wanted to role so badly he was willing to take a screen test to prove himself). He’s funny yet touching and a very talented actor.

All in all, a highly successful origin adventure that makes me incredibly happy. And I can’t wait to see what part Tony Stark plays in The Incredible Hulk. Yay for cross-overs!