It’s been known for a while that a fourth installment of Indiana Jones was in production, and I’ve reserved pre-judgement until now. Last Thursday, Harrison Ford got into costume for the first time in 18 (!) years, and the film’s website captured the “action”.
Yes, this is a cash grab on par with reunion shows such as those of the Pixies and the Police. Folks who, as teenagers used to love Pixies/Police in their primes are now in their 30s/40s, married w/ children, but not so old that they don’t want to rock, albeit at a safe, seated show w/ a big jumbotron. Likewise, folks who were in the target demographic - little kids - when the Indy franchise launched are now in their late 20s, and while we might not want to shell out $150 for a 300 level ticket to watch Sting’s rippling muscles (enjoy, ladies), we sure as hell can afford $10 for a movie ticket. In other words, regardless of the exact original target demographic, there’s money to be made. They’ve realized that their former audience is feelin’ nostalgic and newly flush with capital, and have stood up to meet our demand. If this stuff is poor art, or bad for society, the problem ain’t Hollywood/TimeWarner, it is us.
And you know what? That Pixies reunion kicked ass. From all reports, so does the current Police one. So I’m setting aside the sarcasm, laying down the indie fan rockist hipster dbag mantle, and listening to my inner child: the kid who first saw Indy melt Nazis’ faces and get the girl and decided that Archaeology might be fun is still in here somewhere, and he wants more Indy, even if Indy wears Depends.
Plus, Ray Winstone (aka Gal) and John Hurt (aka “Oh no, not again”) are on board. In my book, that counts for a lot. Thus, this will earn my full recommendation, and while I’ll allow that it may suck, I’m going in with good expectations and excitement. Plan is for the film to open 5/22/08.
1 comment:
The Police show in Oakland was great. Stewart Copeland, in case there's any lingering doubt, is still freakin' awesome.
Worst part of the show: Before the Police went on, we were twice treated to a public service announcement about conserving water. Precious natural resource, basic human right, blah blah blah. Of course, the whole thing was just dripping (no pun intended) with irony since the friskers outside the stadium would not let me bring in a plastic bottle of water. They made me throw it out. Into the TRASH... Which was most likely NOT going to be shipped to Darfur.
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