INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE DIAMOND SKULL

Steven Spielberg’s eagerly anticipated 4th episode of his highly successful franchise is finally here via the Cannes Film Festival. It is now nearly 20 years since Indy’s last adventure and the time now is 1957 at the height of the cold war. Soviet agents led by super cool Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett) capture Indiana (Harrison Ford) and his sidekick Mac (Ray Winstone) in an attempt to find  a mysterious box hidden in a remote airfield in the desert Southwest. Indy escapes his captors and after joining forces with the young Mutt (Shia LaBeouf) they begin an incredible adventure in order to find the Crystal Skull of Akator in the middle of the Amazon jungle.  Ford again relishes his role and sends up his image as the ageing big adventurer. He finds his nemesis in Blanchett’s icy villain but his best scenes are with the wonderful Karen Allen who makes a welcome appearance as Marion Ravenwood - from “Raiders of the Lost Ark”. She is as feisty as ever and still holds a grudge against Indy. It is a thrilling ride but not as amazing as it was when it first hit the screen. Spielberg delivers the goods but his film has the feeling of déjà vu.