The summer of 2008 broke history, and rebuilt it.
America suffered through a bitter presidential election on the road to a globewrecking financial crisis.
In theaters, cinematic generations were rising and falling.
Credit: Everett Collection
Last week:Prince Caspianended a fantasy era.Next week:Beloved TV showSex and the Citybecomes a somewhat-less-beloved movie.
CHRIS:Okay, Darren.
You were Pro; I was Con.
It didnt feel greedy or craven to me.
I actually wish filmmakers tooklongergaps between sequels.
My main beef with the movie is its tone.
Just about every joke falls flat and Spielberg doesnt even seem to know it.
Its like watching Sinbad do stand-up.
DARREN:If youll allow me, Chris, Id like to begin with a story.
The mood was ebullient.
Then the movie happened.
Everything youre saying about the film is right on, Chris.
But rewatching the film ten years after that fateful night, I didnt feel the same old rage.
is halfway interesting, a sudden burst ofMinority Report/Munich-y 2000s paranoia.
Everyones got a theory, but what do you think happened here, Chris?
Were Lucas and Spielberg unable to take this material even half-seriously?
You ask if Spielberg and Lucas were able to take this material half-seriously.
The introduction of aliens answers that question in ALL CAPS.
I dont mind Indy in the 50s.
But I mind him inthis versionof the 50s.
I intentionally left LaBeoufs riff on Marlon Brando inThe Wild Oneout of my initial salvo.
Wanted to let you serve that one.
And heres the thing, I remember hating Mutt back when I saw this movie in 2008.
Now, I kind of think hes the best thing in the move.
But as the film goes on, I kind of got what he was going for this time around.
Should the character exist in the script?
But considering that he does, I think LaBeouf makes the absolute best of it.
What does that mean, gramps?
((For the record: not actual dialogue.
But it might as well have been)), then Im Team Mutt.
Something I never thought Id admit.
My biggest problem is thatCrystal Skullneeds some goddamn Nazis.
The nemeses are two-fold in this movie.
That second one is pretty heady stuff and could have been interesting if handled with less-cartoony nuance.
But there isnt an ounce of nuance anywhere near the blast radius ofCrystal Skull.
Im curious, though, what are the things you liked seeing in the movie?
Those flight map interstitials?
Jim Broadbent trying his best to make us forget about Denholm Elliott?
DARREN:Karen Allen, all the way!
As withTemple, sometimes the sheer lack of nuance is its own rewardIalmostlaugh when Indys gang falls downthreewaterfalls.
This is probably the friendliest bus-throwing-under in recent film history (Spielberg and Lucas, BFFs for life!)
Theres a fifth Indiana Jones film on the horizon now, Chris, currently slated for 2020.
Is there anything inCrystal Skullthat makes you feel like theres still any real blood in this cinematic stone?
What would you want in a theoretical fifth filmif you want anything at all?
CHRIS:It sounds like youre almost talking yourself into kind of likingCrystal Skull, Darren.
Grow a backbone, man.
Your names on it!
That said, I am totally down forIndy 5.
Of course, I am!
As far as what Id want to see in that sequel, lets do the math for a sec.
Add the four, carry the one, that means thatIndy 5should be set around 1969.
His mission: to find Woodstocks brown acid before its too late!
DARREN:Wait,yourein theTemple of Doomclub, too?
Youre all as crazy as a bowl of chilled monkey brain soup!
Although I still dont likeCrystal Skull, this conversation has been therapeutic, Chris.
If I squint a little, I can now spot some unintended resonance in the story.
By all rights, Indy should hate him after the first time he betrays him.
