I still haven't checked out the latest Indiana Jones movie. What I saw did not fill me with confidence and the lackluster reviews have not been encouraging. Still, I am at least curious about the flashback sequences with a de-aged Harrison Ford, so I'll check it out for that reason once it hits Disney+.
I'll be honest. I, too, had mixed feelings about "...the Dial of Destiny." Though I went to see it twice, to see if it was just me, I found only the prologue suitably and delightfully action-packed.* The second half seemed devoted mostly to Helena Shaw, Indy's goddaugther, as though the producer/director/writers were trying to transition continuing popularity of the franchise with the franchise (in the hearts and minds of movie-goers) on to her.
ReplyDeleteThose mixed feelings, for my part, were primarily wistfulness for what had been...and a sad acceptance of the symbolism used in the movie's major setting. Namely, the United States--and the rest of the world--at the height of the Vietnam War and the return of the Apollo 11 astronauts from space. Hence, everyone else being more concerned with the comparative present and future rather than the ancient past. Which, in turn, makes the fourth Indiana Jones film not only the last one that might actually feature the main character (on a non-prequel basis). But, also, more plausible in terms of real-world history than even the re-creation of 1950's McCarthyism in "...Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."
That being said, let me blurt out that...I love today's cover! :-)
Not only for the great title pun. But, also, because of the allusion to Alfred Hitchcock. Based on the Asiatic-looking bamboo stalks, though, I'd guess that Indy is more likely running south-by-southeast?
*Did they use a stunt-double with HF's face electronically super-imposed during the WWII sequence? Or did he do all his own close-up stunts with just his face cyber-rejuvenated?
ReplyDeleteSince Indiana has been running around since 1981, i guess this was a hard year to go out on..there has been a LOT of lackluster results among many franchises this year, aside from Barbie. You think Disney might try to buy it too??
Many of the prime actors have lived out their contracts, and the studios are working with the B teams now. Will the Avengers be replaced by the Marvels?
Will we see any more of Indy (acted by anyone else?)? It will be a lot watching.
Cary beat me to the Hitchcock reference.
ReplyDelete@Cary: According to the Wikipedia article, they de-aged Harry from a performance capture, working it all frame by frame.
@Tobor: I'd definitely love to see Sean Patrick Flannery return to the role, and Indy return to his World War II-era story roots.
As for the Marvel franchise, the Avengers will be returning for the two Phase 6 blockbusters, though what form they take has yet to be hinted at. Next year, though, we do get a new team in the Thunderbolts, and they've been gearing up for the Young Avengers since the start of Phase 4. (And, hopefully, we haven't seen the last of the Guardians of the Galaxy.)
@Cary: Bob's right. A stunt double named Anthony Ingruber was used as the template on which they projected de-aged image captures of Harrison from previous films (including the "Star Wars" franchise).
ReplyDeleteP.S.---I was going to ask if the Enemy Ace had ever gone up against the Rocketeer. But, a little back-tracking has shown me that they've already met.
ReplyDeleteAnd, so, I don't anticipate a sequel to STF #1237 any time in the very near future. :-(
Yes! Love the idea of this!
ReplyDeleteordinaryguy2
The only thing that might (arguably) surpass this is Enemy Ace vs. the Phantom Eagle.
ReplyDeleteI thought Von Hammer died during WWI?
ReplyDeleteIf so, then this would have worked better with Young Indiana Jones, as he served during WWI.