Fancast: The Big Picture

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - 5/22

True, this isn't technically a comic-book movie, but since the inspiration for Indy came from a lot of pulp fiction magazines, Dr. Henry Jones gets honorary status in the genre. He fits all the requirements anyway - a hero with a distinctive costume who doesn't let great power (i.e. The Ark of the Covenant) get in the way of the greater responsibility ("It belongs in a museum!").

Harrison Ford looks every bit of his 65 years, but he's always had that kind of well-traveled look about him, with that crooked nose and the quiet character which is what everyone means when they say "rugged good looks." Can a swashbuckling hero like Indiana Jones age gracefully? If not, can he throw haymakers convincingly enough to make us forget that? If not, can Steven Spielberg make it look like he can? That's all we really need. That and the John Williams theme, although bringing back Karen Allen is a great touch as well.

George Lucas has been trying to lowball expectations for this fourth installment in the franchise after his blistering experience with the Star Wars prequels, but hope remains strong with the faithful that Spielberg brings enough to the table to mitigate anything Lucas might do wrong. Cate Blanchett is sure to shine as usual as the Russian antagonist, but Shia LaBeouf as the young greaser sidekick that may or may not be Indy's son is a big question mark - will he be as fun an addition as Sean Connery was, or will he be Jar Jar Binks? The world waits with baited breath to find out.

Watch the trailer for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Watch a TV spot for Crystal Skull.
Watch an interview with Harrison Ford.
Watch the trailer for Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Watch a featurette on Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Watch the trailer for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.