Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

About Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Released in 2008, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" is the fourth installment in the popular Indiana Jones franchise. Directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by George Lucas, the movie follows Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) as he is called back into action, when a young man brings him a coded message from the late explorer Harold Oxley. Indiana will embark on a journey into the uncharted Peruvian forest, in an attempt to find the mysterious Crystal Skulls, objects of supernatural powers or immense fortune.

Making / Production

The movie was directed by Steven Spielberg and written by David Koepp it managed to reignite the popular series after a 19 years break from the previous installment. George Lucas, the creator of the series, also had a hand in the story development and production of the film.

Actors

• Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones: He carries the iconic role with a mix of familiar ruggedness and new vulnerability due to his older age.
• Cate Blanchett as Irina Spalko: Blanchett portrays a Soviet agent vying for the power of the crystal skull. She plays her character with steely conviction.
• Shia LaBeouf as Mutt Williams: LaBeouf provides a youthful energy to the film as a knife-wielding greaser who is aligned with Jones.
• Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood: Returning to the franchise, Allen reprised her role from the original film and brought a nostalgic touch to the movie.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The movie was filmed under the fake title of "The Genre Project" to keep its production a secret.
• John Hurt, who played Professor Oxley, could not remember his lines due to a recent surgery. He wore an earpiece through which his lines were read to him.
• Despite the mixed reviews, the movie was a box office success, grossing over $786 million worldwide.

Awards

The film was nominated for several awards. Among its nominations are Best Visual Effects at the BAFTA Awards, and Best Action/Adventure Film at the Saturn Awards.

Quotes

• "Not as easy as it used to be." - Indiana Jones
• "Ahh, the infamous Dr. Jones." - Irina Spalko
• "What's he gonna do now?" - Mutt Williams

Music, Soundtrack

• "Call of the Crystal" - Composed by John Williams, represents the motif of the crystal skull.
• "A Whirl Through Academe" - An upbeat musical piece that follows a motorcycle chase through a university.
• "The Adventures of Mutt" - A light-hearted piece that underscores Mutt Williams' action sequences.
• "Finale" - A grand orchestral piece that combines themes from throughout the Indiana Jones franchise.