Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Indiana Jones


Well, the whole world is talking about the new Indiana Jones movie, so I figured I'd throw my two cents in.

I've always been a big fan of the first three Indiana movies - though I must admit, I didn't like Temple of Doom nearly as much as Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade (who can NOT like the witty dialogue between Harrison and Sean Connery?). My husband also loves the movies and wants an authentic Indiana Jones whip. Unfortunately, I don't make enough to afford one!

I knew when the new movie came out that there would be a lot of hype. But I tell ya, I really wasn't expecting this much hype. The marketing and publicity departments must be working overtime. Indiana Jones is on cans of Dr. Pepper, on bags of chips, on cereal boxes. Commercials featuring the movie trailer or some other product are on every time I click through the channels. I went into Wal-Mart the other day and saw a ton of Indiana Jones toys - even a whip that makes sounds when you crack it! (I may have to buy this for hubby...).

And, of course, there are the special appearances that Harrison Ford has to make. Yesterday my teenager was watching a live music show on BET and there was a grizzled Harrison Ford standing in front of all these screaming teenagers who weren't even born when the last Indiana Jones movie came out, answering questions from the two hosts who were garbed in fedoras (and who looked ridiculous, I might add). And I felt incredibly sorry for poor Harrison. It's been almost 20 years since the last movie and the poor guy just looks, well...tired. I can just imagine what was going through his mind while he was standing there in front of said screaming teenagers and music hosts: This is SO not what I had in mind when I made this movie.

Congratulations, Spielberg and company - you have effectively saturated our lives with Indiana Jones.

I'm going to the movie, of course - I'm a diehard fan. I hope I like it. Unfortunately, even though there are toys for the 13 and under crowd, the rating on the movie is PG-13, which means I can't bring my eight-year-old daughter, even though she, too, loves the Indiana Jones movies.

Sigh...

It's Pirates of the Carribbean all over again. I mistakenly took my daughter to the second Pirates movie because she loved the first one. And since there were toys and books directed at her age group, I figured it would be ok. Silly, silly me! She hid her face for a lot of the movie and we didn't even bother going to the third one. For me, I would have been very happy had that whole franchise ended with the first Pirates movie.

Anyway...

Sometimes I think Hollywood goes too far with publicity, merchandising, endorsements, etc., etc. I just hope this Indiana Jones movie lives up to it all. If it doesn't, that's ok - I'll just remain blissfully unaware of its existence and continue to enjoy the first three.

12 comments:

  1. IMHO, when it comes to reviving an old series, nobody has done a classier job than Sigourney Weaver in the Aliens franchise. She just kept getting better and better...and the movies kept pace.

    I'm an Indy fan, too, and I've got my fingers crossed that the latest is at least passable. Sometimes I wish they'd leave well enough alone. (Terminator 3 comes to mind...and the Pirates sequels, yawn. I fell asleep in the 2nd one and didn't bother with the 3rd. Not even Johnny Depp in eyeshadow could tempt me...and he could tempt me to quite a lot!)

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  3. We too are looking forward to the return of Mr. Jones. I was to see what is co-star is able to do as well as he is the future of the franchise. We are going to be in a small town in Kansas this weekend so we don't be able to see it! Ugh!

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  4. I too HATE all the hype and commercialism that now surrounds so many movies. All the tie-ins and stuff aimed at kids. What ever happened to just enjoying the movie? It's not like there were Rick and Ilsa dolls back when Casablanca was made.

    We're hoping to see it too - it just depends on Sean's schedule. Otherwise we'll see it on DVD. I'm a fan of 1 and 3 like you, not so much of 2.

    We didn't bother with Pirates 3, though we may rent it some day.

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  5. I tend to shy away from the over-hyped things as I'm of the opinion if it was really that good it wouldn't need all that hype pushing it forward.

    And to answer you question. I became a rabid Cornhusker football fan in elementary school just to tick of my Sooner loving best friend.

    I have rooted on the Huskers for 25+ years and now do so in all sports. They are my college team and while I have attended many Husker road games I have yet to catch a home football game but that is on my to-do list. If I can get a ticket.

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  6. Hmm, I don't know how commercial it's gotten. Let me snack on my Indy fruit snacks while I fix a bowl of Indy Frosted Flakes. Yesterday I saw an Indy Mr. Potato Head. He was a "Tater of the Lost Ark." He was pretty funny.

    All three of my kids are eager to see the movie. We just watched all three of the older ones and even my youngest was excited.

    Of course my 5 year old watches Indiana Jones movies and "X Files" but she got scared the other day watching "Elmo in Grouchland." Maybe she has a point?

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  7. I'm not an Indie fan, but I do love Harrison Ford and Shia LeBouf- so I'll probably go see it with hubby.

    As for Pirates, I loved 1, liked 2, and all but loathed 3 (they are SO lucky that Johnny Depp is yummy, and that the clothes rocked). I'm still miffed that they changed the ride to reflect the new movies. Blech.

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  8. Christine - I haven't seen the Alien movies, so don't know if they're good or not, but I'll take your word for it. ;-) And as for Pirates 3...wow, did they ever butcher it. I wouldn't bother. :-)

    Brian - I doubt we'll go see it on opening night or this weekend - the theater will be too crowded!

    Tess - I LOL when I read that about the Casablanca dolls! Ha! Yeah, it's gotten quite silly, all this merchandising. Ditto on the Pirates 3 - I rented the movie and I think when I saw the ending, my mouth was hanging open in complete and utter shock - and not the GOOD kind of shock, either!

    Travis - You MUST come to Lincoln on game day. There is nothing like it. A sea of red downtown and so much energy in the air that you can feel it vibrating around you. I've been to one game and it was amazing, and I'm not even a diehard fan! Definitely go if you get the chance.

    Rene - I'll probably preview it first before I let my daughter see it - that way I'll know when to have her shield her eyes when it comes out on DVD. :-)

    WordVixen - I can see that I am NOT alone in how much I hated the third Pirates! I almost wish they'd remake it and GET IT RIGHT. I was soooo disappointed.

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  9. Anonymous7:15 AM

    The more publicity, in most cases, the less likely I am to see it.

    I will go to this one because I like HF and Karen Allen.

    LIke you, I enjoyed IJ 1 & 3; disliked 2.

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  10. Devon - There was something just really different about Temple of Doom - it was too over the top or something. Can't quite put my finger on it.

    But yeah, I'll go see this Indiana Jones regardless of all the publicity. :-)

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  11. I am avoiding all the hype. I'm not watching interviews, I'm not reading reviews. I've seen the trailer at the theatre and that's it. I'm going in as unsaturated as possible. ;)

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  12. Kelly, good for you. You'll probably enjoy it a lot more this way. :-)

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