There are some movies that will never die and characters that will never cease to excite. Taking into consideration this special kind of movies, we witness the inexorable passing of time, and their perennial character. Sadly, in the meantime, we also recognize our ephemeral trait. The “Indiana Jones” saga is the perfect example of this.

The first Indy movie, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” was released in 1981 and initiated an Indy culture. Many of us were a bunch of kids marveling at the great adventures of the archaeologist. Maybe some of us were just in their parents’ plans for the future, and yet, here you are, curious about the new and the most awaited installment of the movie.

At the time, “Raiders” grossed $242 million in the US, and a comeback was on the verge of turning from project into reality. Therefore, Indy’s adventures returned on the silver screen in 1984 in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” receiving less applause than expected, but still making an impressive figure: it earned $180 million and in the same time assured that the Indy culture was not lost. Five years later, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” managed to tackle the higher expectations, judging from the movie’s earning: $197 million.

Back in 2008, judging from a distance of 19 years. “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” stands every odd to be welcomed with arms stretched wide open or with a frown. No matter what attitude the moviegoer adopts at first, however, in the end it will be all the same: enchantment. When there were rumors that a new installment featuring Indy adventures, excitement was also generated. Mum has been the word all this time and the hush-hush project succeeded in creating enough mystery and eagerness that it appeared to be a box-office hit even before any plot hints surfaced.

Watching the 2008 movie makes you realize several facts. Like the one that we got older and at the same time the legend faced bravely the passing of the time. Or that Harrison Ford got older himself, but the actor’s stamina and devotion to his character remained untouched. Or that the tireless mind of Steven Spielberg continues to fascinate.

“Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” bears very close resemblance to what made its “forebears” so popular and successful. It is still set in the past, in a Nevada of 1957, it still appears to have that ineffable old fashioned style that is so simple and in the same time, so unseen before, which becomes exquisite. The movie still follows Spielberg’s obsession with lost childhood, accompanying our acknowledgement of the passing of time.

Nineteen years from where “The Last Crusade” left the action, Indiana Jones follows the course of the history. The 1938 episode was marked by the Nazi threat, now Indy finds himself under the shadows of the Cold War and has to face the Soviet peril. The 2008 movie still follows the pattern of searching for the Holy Grail, but it goes further than any pattern and stereotype. Let’s not forget, we are talking about Spielberg here! The iconic director teamed up again with exec producer George Lucas and screenwriter David Koepp and developed adventures that can still excite a movie world dominated by special effects like ours.

The intrigue of the movie is the eponymous crystal skull, an artifact believed to have been left by aliens in some of their first incursions on the Earth. Needless to say, that its powers are overwhelming. The humankind would definitely not want the skull to fall in the Soviet hands of agent Irina Spalko (a superb Cate Blanchett delivering one of her best performances).

Indy and his sidekick, Mac McHale (Ray Winstone), are collared by Spalko and taken to a Nevada warehouse, which covers the great secret the US government hid. Mission accomplished, and Indy is back in a small town, but trouble doesn’t end. Forced to withdraw from teaching, just as he is on the brink of leaving, a young greaser stops him. The youngster’s name is Mutt Williams (impeccably played by Shia LaBeouf, who demonstrates that his fame is not made of paper). The character seems to have come out of a cartoon series, with a knife and a comb up his sleeve. During their adventures, they also gather Indy’s old love interest, Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), who is in fact, Mutt’s mum (but who’s the father?). Professor Oxley (John Hurt), a man who knows every language in the world – existing or non-existing, dead or still in use – will also accompany them.

What else to add? We have twists and turns, we have a great target, we have a huge mystery, great adventures and immense characters to follow. In short, a great movie that we should not miss and a great addition to the Indiana Jones franchise.

Movie Type: Action/Adventure and Sequel
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for adventure violence and scary images
Running Time: 2 hrs. 3 min.
Directed By: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent, and Shia LaBeouf
Released: May 22nd, 2008 (wide)