Books and Movies

The kids and I went to see the 4th Indiana Jones filim this afternoon, giving Kevin the Father’s Day gift of a quiet house for the afternoon. We had already celebrated as a family over breakfast, which I cooked. That’s unusual for a weekend breakfast - they’re usually his responsibility. The kids had made homemade cards and I gave him a new insulated mug and a CD. We batted around ideas of how to spend the day, but what he was craving most was some downtime, so the kids and I vacated for a few hours.

I’ve read some reviews from people who didn’t like Indy 4. I am not one of them. I loved every minute of its over-the-top action, sly humor, and sci-fi twisted plot. Harrison Ford played Indy at his actual age, which was enjoyable to watch. Karen Allen appears as Marian Ravenwood - and when she asks Indy if he’d had other women in his life after her, he answers, “Yes, but they all had the same problem - they weren’t you.” I loved seeing their story come full circle.

Warning: spoilers ahead!

I also loved Shia LeBoeuf as Mutt Williams, a.k.a. Henry Jones III. I have followed his career since his brilliant performance in Holes, and if Speilberg and Lucas are looking to start a new Indiana Jones franchise with Henry III, I’m convinced they chose the right guy.

Yes, the action is over-the-top and unbelievable. Isn’t that what we love about the Indy movies? Think being chased by a rolling boulder, jumping off a building and crashing through several stories of canopies, etc. The action is fun to watch - almost poking respectful fun at the previous films, with all the jumping in and out of vehicles, sword-fighting while standing up in moving jeeps, and crashing over waterfalls.

If you like the previous three Indiana Jones movies, you’ll enjoy this one, too. It was a very pleasant way to spend the afternoon.

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