Indiana Jones 4

Paramount/Dreamworks have just released the official teaser movie trailer for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

My first impression is that it feels like Temple of Doom and not a next generation action movie (ala Michael Bay). Even with the super unrealistic jump from the car crash explosion in the Lost Ark warehouse (almost Live Free or Die-ish), the film still maintains this classic feeling. There is some use of computer generated effects, but done with a nice blend into the practical effects. Most of my concerns were quashed while viewing this teaser. Strangely, I find myself wondering if Cate Blanchett fits in this film. She looks so weirdly out of place. Shia LaBeouf is very much underplayed in this teaser, but from the few quick appearances he makes, it seems to be without good reason. I’m still a little worried about the story, especially the alien stuff. At first glance it and some of the jokes seem like they don’t fit with the rest of the trilogy. I compared the feeling to Live Free or Die Hard. Don’t get me wrong, I actually really loved  Live Free or Die Hard, but at the same time, it sometimes seemed like a parody of itself, and the story didn’t quite fit with the other films in the series.

Tell me what you think in the comments below!

Slight Spoiler: It’s worth noting that if you look closely at the moment 25 seconds before the end of the trailer where Cate Blanchett’s character drops her glasses, a huge spoiler is revealed/confirmed. Yes, a government facility is Roswell, NM which is highly classified. Area 51 maybe? This further confirms the Alien Crystal Skull storyline.

You can also watch the new teaser trailer in High Definition on Yahoo! Movies. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull hits theaters on May 22nd 2008.

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  • Gannon
    Much like video game demos... Movie teasers and
    trailers often cut back on what your really going to
    get in the final cut. Who knows... you may see that
    same scene in the movie and it just flows with the
    whole scene and maybe the shot will go through a
    polish before it hits the big screen... which is very
    likely to happen.

    As far as CG, our technology is adapting and
    improving... just take the scene for what it was
    meant to be and enjoy the entertainment out
    seeing a great movie scene. I am sure you would
    love to see a movie special effects of clay-mation
    in place of what CG can offer. Note my sarcasim.

    As for the "closer" line, it makes sense to hear
    Indy say that. I mean... correct me if I am wrong
    but, wasn't his goal to land on top of the truck
    bed, but instead he swung to early and had to land
    on the hood. What would you say if you were aiming
    for the truck bed of a pick-up and you accidentally
    misjudge your swing and fly through their windshield
    I would probably make an excuse for why I came
    through the windshield too. Ha ha.

    And the "part time" line, I can easily see that line
    acting as an intro to Harrison's and Shia's character.

    I agree the glasses looked like they were
    magnetically drawn to the Roswell crate. If
    there is an alien reference, I am sure it will not
    lead Indy into a brawl with some 7ft tall big-eyed
    gray skinned alien at an Incan Bar. But, I am
    interested to see what the story line will offer to
    satisfy my questions from this teaser.

    In the end, I could have cared less for the intro of
    the teaser talking about the last three Indy movies.
    But, I really liked the rest of the teaser and
    can't wait to see more trailers and finally the movie.

    I am so gonna wear my Indiana Jones Fadora to
    the movie theater! I think it would be fun. I wonder
    if the beginning of this movie will start with the
    audience clapping and cheering like Star Wars Episode I
    did a few years ago.
  • Quite possibly the best teaser I have ever seen. I love it so much, the style of action and humor remind me much of the first three, which is a good thing. And while I myself liked Die Hard 4, it didn't seem like a Die Hard film, as opposed to this which actually feels like a Indiana Jones film. I wasn't around when the first three were released, and I would have given anything to see them for the first time in a theatre, this is my chance to experience a Indy film on the big screen.
  • MKL
    Of all the joys in my childhood, nothing comes closer to the exhilaration of experiencing one of Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones movies. Harrison Ford comes to define adventure masculinity and wit in his portrayal of Dr. Indiana Jones, a ragged, yet suave intellectual cowboy-bandit set against allowing the greatest artifacts of history to fall in to the hands of evil, often Nazi, souls. While the films, conceived in the dreams of filmmaker George Lucas (who later produced and receives a 'story by' credit), were designed as a rehash of matinee cliffhangers from his childhood, they have become richly more in the masterful hands of director Spielberg.

    Although often times more playful for the sake of pure adventure rather than realism, actor Ford's ability to ground even the greatest most absurdly fantastic of events into a believable portrayal of strength, attitude and humor makes his realization on screen something worthy of not only one film but many. In fact, watching the new teaser for the long in development fourth installment, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," ignites in me the very fire and spark of exuberance that I had felt as a child. Despite that, there is a concern present in modern-day Hollywood, as well as in the hearts and minds of Indy fans around the world, young and old, that we are not getting another installment of the franchise purely out of a desire to profit.

    Obviously Hollywood would love to make another one of these films in that it's high popularity over the last thirty years and the names involved with the series ensures a high profit margin. In Hollywood sometimes the most obviously profit driven bets are the ones that should be avoided in that the final product, while predicable, thus, and at a loss of originality seem to compromise the artistic integrity of a medium that must constantly produce profit to stay alive.

    Franchise re-installments of the greatest and most memorable action heroes in the last few years, such as with the "Die Hard," "Rocky," and "Terminator" films, have been churned out with delicate kindness and above all else love from the filmmakers of the characters they are modifying and re-introducing into a world somewhat harsher against their independent idealism and more complex in the strongholds our characters must overcome to reclaim an equal success to ones created ages ago. John McClane (Bruce Willis) of "Die Hard" returns just as crusty and crazy to get in over his head because no one else will to get the job done. Rocky Balboa of "Rocky" aspires to become the champion he used to be despite the doubts of everyone, including himself. The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is "baack" in "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" as a robot that now, rather than preventing the inevitable tragedy, must guide the future's savior towards his destined salvation.

    All these films comeback hitting hard and reopening the books that we had all assumed would be closed to our own imaginations for some time. While profitable and able to reintroduce these characters back into the mainstream from the retro back-burner, Hollywood must remember to stray from the trappings of star-studded sequel blockbusters because unfortunately they can not all be good. I, for one, trusting in Spieldberg, Lucas and Ford, for the love of these storytellers who had been able to knock three out of the ballpark for us previously, am looking forward to May 22nd, when the man in the hat will don his pistol and whip and ride again.
  • charles
    I was very pleased to see the teaser for this movie. Only problem I have is people leaving comments about Indy's one liner and it being too much CGI. First off the one liner, "damn, I thought that was closer." was funny as hell. Its rare when a trailer makes me laugh but it did the job. Next is the topic of CGI. People I don't know what year you think it is but its 2008. Of course CGI was going to be used. For a lot of scene it will have to because its cheaper and safer to use. Now if anyone has a problem with Lucas writing the story I understand after the somewhat but not fully disappointing prequels. But I m sure he didn't screw up the script. In addition this isn't his film its Spielberg's and Fords as well. I m more than sure if Ford didn't like the script he wouldn't have made the film. On Spielberg I know he wouldn't allow this film to be a bomb, most of his films aren't.
  • PAT
    I like it
  • Kestrel
    No. I just expect them to take the theory out of the old ones, not the method. I don't think Ford HAS to have the shits to be brilliant.

    Trailers are the pinnacle of criticism!
  • Ben Franklin
    Kestrel, that scene in Raiders was only improv because Ford had the shits. What are you suggesting that Spielberg gives him a dodgy curry the night before they do a big scene?

    How on earth can people have such strong opinions on a fucking teaser trailer? It shows hardly anything - that's the point! And of course they are going to show the one liners, that's what sells the film!
  • Indiana Jones
    Everyone here, Love and Hate, will see this movie. So no matter what your comments are, your throwing that cash at the silver screen. You paying to see this movie will make this a block buster hands down. As for cheesey factor. Thats indy films. They all have it. Get over it.

    This movie will earn a spot. Come back to this comment after you see the movie to say, "Dam you were right"
  • Kestrel
    I agree with about 80% of what Hunter wrote. . . that being said. . . Remember how funny the sword/pistol scene was in Raiders? Thats the kind of fresh improv we expect. . . .not the painful obvious lines.
  • Tom
    Im psyched for this movie, I love the Indy Trilogy and am eagerly awaiting this installment. And everyone that is over analyzing the teaser trailer, shut up, sit back, and get ready for an extremely fun movie.
  • Rajesh
    ROCKING !!!!!!!!!!
  • Greg
    Aliens? Roswell? revisiting evernts from the first film? Why don't poeple leave things alone? If this film really is awful a la the Star Wars prequels maybe we should stage a boycott.
  • Greg
    Really disappointing, wooden acting from all concerned , dodgy action scenes, Harrison is to old and I have a suspicion that chacater actors like Cate and Ray are going to have been completely miscast. I'll definitely see it but this doesn't look promising in the slightest. And no point in having clips from the first 3 or the stars and stripes. Both Dark Knight trailers, and the Ironman Superbowl trailer are much much better.
  • jerry seinfeld
    "Whats with the CG plane? It looks like a scene from an XBox game.I hope the whole movie doesn’t have as much CG as the trailer.Fingers crossed it will be good, but I doubt it."

    don't judge this by the effects - they aren't finished yet.
  • Metichlorians
    Whats with the CG plane? It looks like a scene from an XBox game.I hope the whole movie doesn't have as much CG as the trailer.Fingers crossed it will be good, but I doubt it.
  • Halcyon
    The "not as easy as it used to be" comment made me think about the relevant time period and seriousness of the situation, rather than the age and ability of Dr. Jones. Kind of a way of saying "these guys really mean business." Could be wrong though.

    The trailer overall for me was a mix of the humor/grit of the rest of the Indy films, with the big (somewhat top-heavy) action of Spielberg's later films like Jurassic Park. This is all very positive IMO as long as the characters and dialog work.

    Also, I don't really have a problem with Shia. I think he has a (somewhat) unique, naturally comedic acting style that stays pretty consistent through all his movies, not unlike someone like Jeff Goldblum (referring to consistency only), and I think he'll fit into this film well. But I'm no expert.
  • Jay08
    Wow I remember when movies used to cost $8.

    But I'd have to agree with Blair, I'm also worried the film will not be as engaging or believable primarily because his age.
    A 70 year old man did what? come'on...
  • Sauce
    Yeah had me all worried and then bam! I was rather impressed. A good bit of action and humor and classic shots that only Spielberg can give. Now I'm officially excited.
  • Ben Franklin
    I am shocked people are complaining about the one liners in this. There's nothing there that isn't on a par with what we've seen in the previous films. TOD and TLC were campy action comedies at best!

    I can't wait personally. Looks absolutely ace. They have actually showed very little in this trailer - very clever!
  • Jerry Butler
    Go easy on Hunter. he thought that Cloverfield was the bar and pinnacle of entertainment and cinematic quality, his tastes are clearly skewed. lol
  • jj gonzo
    This movie is going
    to put a lot of asses
    in seats!!!!!!
  • paul puvilland Says: "better than expected, worst than we hope"

    Speak for yourself, dude. I thought that was GREAT.
  • Orange cinema
    Hunter:

    when Indy falls into the car & delivers that line, it specifically reminded me of one character in the new star wars prequels: C3PO - his comic timing in the new trilogy was absolutely god awful and forced, and just outright shity (also anakin & obi-wan had some terrible one liners too). so to be reminded of this from Indy has made me worry about Lucas's influence. yes they are masters of their craft, and yes we should hold them to that - Lucas even more than speilberg, because i feel speilberg has made great films lately, but we all know Lucas has really lost something along the way. i will cry murder if Indy has become c3po-like, and i will blame Lucas. i hope you remember the moments i am talking about - they are scattered throughout the entire new trilogy, where c3po says the lamest shit you can possibly imagine ("i'm besides myself" - as he's being dragged in pieces in episode 2 etc).

    that said, i too have faith in the film, and i think it will be great. i loved the trailer, as it gave me goosebumps throughout. i know Indy is known for his average guy/sarcasm, but comic timing is a difficult thing to pull off. i like the 'part-time-teacher-line' though.
  • jerry seinfeld
    Hunter - shut it.

    the flag is there 'cuz they're on an American base -- or would you like military instillations to stop flying Old Glory?

    As for the trailer itself, and leaving politics out of it (like you should do more often, Huntera), i felt some of the jokes felt flat and out of place - the effects work is obviously incomplete - there were a couple of glaring spots - most noticably the jeep-on-the-cliff scene, where it's an unfinished effects shot - but i have no doubt it will look spectacular in the final cut.

    JS
  • Jerry Butler
    Indy ROCKS! Bring on the SKULL!
  • Steelo
    well this is a teaser, I'll wait until the TRAILER.
  • Hunter Stephenson
    Now that the official trailer is out, here's my take:

    I am actually surprised at the number of people who had reserved expectations for this trailer. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg created the summer event blockbuster, so when they team up once again to bring one of the most iconic summer blockbuster characters to the screen, expectations can not be higher in my opinion. Somebody said, "These guys don't have it in them anymore," so as to mean not to expect much from this trailer. C'mon. Why, because their beards are gray? Did you see Munich? Spielberg still brings it and Lucas drove Frank Darabont mad perfecting this effing epic, so it better be perfect. The trailer better be, at least.

    So, yeah, this trailer disappoints me. And yeah, it's just a trailer, but the amount of thought that goes into a trailer should be complimented with a lot of thought on the trailer, at least when it's for a character/franchise that's been away for almost 20 years. When Spielberg and Lucas don't grasp how OFF some of the comic timing is in this trailer, that worries me for the film. I'm not going to give it a pass.

    The scene in the warehouse (which looks incredibly too set-like) where Indy makes the jump and falls into the moving vehicle and makes THAT QUIP. That is terrible. The comic timing, the delivery, it's awful. I know the knives are coming at me. But I get this franchise's sense of humor and the suspension of belief, but these guys are masters of it, so when it's this botched, cry murder. And I agree, when Harrison Ford delivers that line, it's so half-assed. It's not Indy's sarcasm, Ford looks a little lost. That fact that this scene is so early in the trailer shows how confident they were that it would play huge to the audience.

    Instead, it felt like an Indy spoof film like Scary Movie or something. Which brings me to the intro. Incredibly spoofy. It's almost spot-on to what AICN reported, but it looks cheesier than I imagined. It too feels like it's overcompensating too much, too mythical. Indy is a reg guy. And it's been a long time, but Indiana Jones is not some Columbus-type, but the intro treats him like this. It's fellatio. Sure, the purpose of the intro is too refresh younger audiences' minds and to rev up older audiences, but do we really need this? Wouldn't it be cooler if they just intro'd with Indy darting frantically in a chase alongside a mountainside (I dug that scene for what it was, "practical effects" my ass :)? I mean, Rambo is a more ridiculous character, so a self-fellating montage might work. Not with Indiana Jones, not like this.

    Then there is the American flag, which blankets the entire screen. I'm not unpatriotic, please don't start. But is with that and why? Is Spielberg telling the world that the Good Guys are back? I don't remember Indy ever literally repping American like the Dream Team, even when he fought Nazis. Peter and I had this discussion, and that feels out of place.

    A lot of the trailer's scenes feel like a pastiche of what's come before. Nothing got me going wow. What I dig about the Indy flicks is how different the adventures are, and with aliens rumored, this should be no different. But nothing here felt fresh to me. I'm not hating, it's just my opinion. So be it. And the "part time" quip, it's just way off in delivery. I want to groan. There's also a Minority Report detached "look" to this flick - which is Janusz Kaminiski's style - that doesn't fit the franchise.

    That said, I still have complete faith in this film to be on the level of the other three, off principle. Maybe this is the opposite of the Star Wars Prequels' trailers, where those rocked and the films blew.
  • kentonsam
    This is for some of you who have bitched and moaned about the movie and its CG.
    It's 2008, and it's Steven Speilberg you're gonna have to expect that.
    Yeah CGI hasn't had a completely spotless record (Son of the Mask anyone?) but it has us given dinosaurs, giant apes, robots in disguise, and massive armies and some kind of animated performance out of Keanu Reeves in "A Scanner Darkly"
    Just be thankful that George Lucas hasn't gone nuts with it, if he had his way, there would be CG soviets (or Nazis or whatever Indy's going up against), CG sets, CG everything. The man has an unhealthy dependence on CGI (Come on! was making plastic clone trooper armor really that expensive?)
    So get used to the fact that this movie and any other movie is going to have CG in it, I the Bourne movies had CG in them and they were pretty awesome
  • Chris
    For the first time in a long time I can say I am genuinely excited for a movie. Looks Amazing

    -C
  • Kestrel
    My argument with the "closer" line is more of he didn't have to pause and say that to make it funny. . . think of how brilliantly executed the sword/pistol scene was without any lines needed.
  • Steelo
    I'm not gonna critique a teaser trailer too deeply. I'll just say I dig the vibe and even bad spielberg is good filmmaking.
  • Alvaro Stelzer
    I saw it for like 50 times... and i take back what a i said earlier....

    I´M IN LOVE...
  • IG
    She doesn't drop her glasses they're magnetized or something.
  • cdawg
    I'm still weary on the alien plotline, as are the most of you, but as soon as the music kicked in I couldn't help but smile.
    Either way I'm seeing it.
  • I'm glad the trailer turned out like it did. Is it fantastic? Not really, but it shows me the one thing I was most worried about: Ford can still move a bit. Having seen him in the last few years, I wasn't sure if he'd be up for an actual Indy adventure.

    Now let's just hope the rest of the movie doesn't suck...
  • Robert
    On second viewing I just couldn't help but think Harrision Ford looked like he didn't really know what was going on. I've always found him to be an astoundingly bland personality able to act more interesting than he is. But the latter seems to be creeping in and he just looks like he is going through the motions to me. We'll see. Cate looks sort of Rockey and Bullwinkle to me as well. Maybe it is just a phase I am going through but I am finding alot of stuff I was crazy about when I was younger just isn't doing it for me any more. At first it made me uneasy but now I have no problem with relagating things to the past and letting it go. Like you give a shit LOL! Damn kids and your rock-n-roll music!
  • Meli
    I've been wary of this project only because I grew
    up loving Indiana Jones and like Star Wars it was
    a huge part of my childhood.

    This trailer quells a lot of my apprehensions and I don't
    quite understand some of the hate. The dialogue in
    the Indy movies has never been stellar and has always
    been a little tongue and cheek.

    I think we sometimes put certain movies we grew up
    with on a petastool and build it up so much
    because we remember how much it Wowed
    us as children. Now that we are adults we're
    more picky and yet we still hold those
    certain movies in a higher regard. I know
    I know I am guilty of this sometimes too.
  • Jonas
    Nothing but love for what I saw.
  • Clarence Somerset
    That font is pretty ubiquitous these days: Transformers used it. National Treasure too.
  • Tom
    Of course this trailer is going to make it hard to judge the projected output of this film. When the idea was first conceived I thought it was a bad idea on account of them putting the reputation of the Indy series on the line instead of simply sticking with the original trilogy.

    After seeing some of the in development stuff I have slightly changed my tune. Of course the risk still remains of the movie tanking but from the trailer it still has the look and feel of Indy and will hopefully do justice to the series and make the fourth installment one to remember just as much as the past three, and in a GOOD way, not making it remembered for being a huge flop.

    I was also impressed that at some parts it showed Harrison Ford doing his own stunts in certain instances. Lets pray his age doesn't slow down the action.

    Basically, It looks good to me, but only once I see it will I be fully convinced that it is well worth the effort put forth.
  • Jay
    I actually like the "...closer" line better than the "part-time" line. Dare I say that was my favorite moment in the trailer.
  • simondo
    well, im not sure how i feel about this. indiana jones is one of my fav trilogies ever. Part of me is totally excited, and the other part of me is "phantom" menaced. It does have a similar look to the cgi in starwars 123, but, maybe it will be kept to a minimal. Indiana jones movies are great because everything on screen, is real, you feel it can be touched, but this looks a little to clean.

    The other things that might ruin this film, is the humor "i thought it was closer" was a terrible line, i hope they dont do too many of them.

    So 50% of me is excited because its indiana and spielberg, the other 50% is worried because its lucas and 2008.
  • Jerry Butler
    Looks amazing. Being a summer popcorn action flick, I didn't see any indications that this won't easily deliver.
  • Kevin
    I loved it! And, I was one of the ones not too excited to see this. I love the trilogy, so I was a bit nervous to see this. Judging by this teaser, I think i'm gonna like it.
  • Hernan
    Can someone confirm if the movie is set to take place in Argentina/Brasil because I'm 100% sure that those are the Iguazu Falls but I didn't heard any news about Lucas or the film crew coming to either brasil or argentina. I'm form argentina by the way. And i think the trailer was grate closer to raiders of the lost ark which i think it was the best Indy movie.
  • w smith
    **Theoretical spoilers:

    If it takes place in Peru - that plays perfectly into my theory that it will have very much a "Chariots of the Gods" sort of back story. The Incans are associated with the Nazca lines formations - giant drawings on the ground that can only be recognized from the air. This lead many including Erich Von Daniken to come up with pseudo theories that these ancient civilizations had contact with advanced space beings, and that there were even "ancient astronauts". The drawings were thought to be "landing formations" etc. The Crystal Skull mythology also has connects with the Incans.
  • Jay
    After "You're a teacher?" All three hits involve the same bad guy. Once dressed as an American soldier, twice in Russian uniform.
  • Jay
    Just realized that the vehicle Indy got caught in is part of a convoy of Russians disguised as American soldiers. He must've snuck into the trunk and hitched a ride like it was a Nazi sub or something.
  • JFK
    Maybe this trailer targets older viewers... maybe parts of the tween market will feel some disenfranchisement because their parents are more excited about it than they are, and its cool to shrug what your parents love, but this is going to have a huge opening weekend. Certainly the biggest for Indy yet and yes a bigger one for Speilberg in recent years. If, in the end, Speilberg and Lucas didn't slather the film in too much hokeyness, and there is a hokeyness factor to that whip shortfall, this film will get better than decent play for weeks because everyone will be talking about the Professor.

    Happy Valentines Day /film. No time for love Dr. Jones.
  • Mark O
    I just peed my pants
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