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Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: Navigation

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Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Indiana Jones' fourth adventure is one of the most anticipated movies of the past 20 years, and kids will definitely want to see it. It bears the marks of classic Indy fare -- meaning lots of adventures, some of which (like a scene involving killer ants, or another involving an atomic bomb test) might be too spooky for younger kids. There's a supernatural and extra-terrestrial undercurrent and lots of punch-heavy good-guy-versus-bad-guy fights, which do have some blood (as well as plenty of weapons, including swords and guns). There's also a bit of light swearing ("s--t," "son of a bitch," etc.) and innuendo, and enemies routinely hurl unpleasant threats at each other. But it's all handed with roguish, acerbic Indy wit, which makes it -- for the most part -- all in good, popcorn movie fun.

Families can talk about what Indiana Jones stands for. If he's a good guy, why does he break the rules? Is that OK? What separates him from the "bad" guys? Are real-life bad guys as thoroughly evil as the ones in movies? Where does Mutt fit in? What does he have in common with Indy? How are they different? Families can also discuss the ongoing appeal of the Indiana Jones series. Why is Indy so popular? Why is it so hard for other movies to duplicate the Indy formula? Do you think the franchise needed another movie? Why or why not?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: S. Jhoanna Robledo

Indiana Jones is back with a vengeance in KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL, the long-awaited fourth installment in George Lucas and Steven Spielberg's mega-hit franchise. It's 1957, and the Russians -- led by Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett) -- have double-crossed their way into a military base in Nevada. Irina thinks the Soviets can win the Cold War by dominating the world with their minds -- but how? Find a mysterious, powerful crystal skull hidden in the South American jungle with the reluctant help of Professor Henry Jones Jr. (Harrison Ford), of course. Indy's friend Oxley (John Hurt) apparently found it once, but he's in enemy hands. Indy sets out on a rescue mission, aided and abetted by friends old and new, including motorcycle-loving, leather-jacketed punk Mutt (Shia LaBeouf).

Decades have come and gone since our dear Dr. Jones' not-so-last crusade, and it's good to report that his return was worth the wait. Sure, the movie's good vs. evil race to the finish is marked by twists and turns that require not just a suspension, but a complete removal, of disbelief. But that's only to be expected -- after all, the Indiana Jones mythology wasn't built on reality. It's the ride, not the details, that audiences are paying for. And what a ride: The suspense, the wisecracks, the gloomy caves to explore -- they're all there. When Indy first enters the frame, it's like seeing a dear old friend. The filmmakers didn't reinvent the wheel (so don't expect any innovations), but they didn't ruin it, either.

And the newbies? When it comes to an iconic film series like this, passing the torch can be tricky. But diehard fans can relax: LaBeouf proves himself worthy enough to carry on the Indy tradition. He's prickly and adventurous, edgy and intelligent -- much like Indy himself. Though he's no Harrison Ford, LaBeouf could believably have been cut from the same cloth. As for the women, while Karen Allen's return to the series as feisty Marion is a delight, Blanchett's Russian accent is somewhat marred by plummy, Australian inflections when she says Indy's last name, which is often. And that's not the only jarring tone: While the first two-thirds of the film is classic Indy, the last act takes a hard swing that swerves into otherworldly territory. It's like Indiana Jones meets E.T.-- which is pretty iffy. The transgression's forgivable, but only just.

Fans may also enjoy revisiting the previous three movies in the series: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, and The Last Crusade. Younger kids will enjoy The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones.

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Content
		CS	adults	kids
Sexual Content Some sexual banter, but nothing lewd.
Violence Plenty of it, mostly played out in typical adventurous Indy fashion: Characters shoot at each other; there's lots of punching, kicking, and shoving; swords are pointed at enemies' throats; characters attack each other with guns and swords from moving cars in one extended scene. Minor characters are killed in various ways -- gunfire, falls, crashes, etc. One group goes out in flames when a powerful rocket ignites. A few parts may scare young kids -- especially a sequence in which a sea of killer ants engulfs victims, or an early scene in which Indy is nearly the victim of an atomic bomb test (scary images of mushroom clouds and exploding houses/mannequins). Also expect lots of skulls and mummies and other spooky-for-young-children elements.
Language A few uses of words like "bulls--t," "shut up," "son of a bitch," and "damn." One or two "s--t"s.
Message
	Social Behavior Many double-crosses take place; a friend becomes disloyal, which endangers Indy; a long-buried lie is uncovered; enemies are portrayed one-dimensionally as purely evil; lots of bickering between a few of the characters (though there's lots of affection, too). Nevertheless, all of the havoc that takes place appears to be for the greater good.
	Commercialism Period-accurate signage for buses, the U.S. Army, laundry soap, airlines (Pan Am).
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Very little. One character appears inebriated at one point, but it's just implied.

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