Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
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In 1957, Indiana Jones must navigate the dangers of the Cold War to protect a mysterious telepathic crystal skull.
The story
Set in 1957, the film follows archaeologist Indiana Jones as he is captured by Soviet agents led by Colonel Doctor Irina Spalko. The agents seek a telepathic crystal skull and use Jones to locate a mummed alien from the Roswell incident. After escaping a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site, Jones is left on leave at Marshall College. There, he meets Mutt Williams, a young greaser. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to Peru to find the crystal skull before the Soviets can harness its power for propaganda.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1957, Soviet agents led by Colonel Doctor Irina Spalko kidnap Indiana Jones and his partner George "Mac" McHale to find a mummified alien at Hangar 51. Jones escapes a nuclear blast and is later joined by Mutt Williams to search for a crystal skull in Peru. They find the skull in a grave and are captured by the Soviets in the Amazon. During the journey, Marion Ravenwood joins the group, and it is revealed that Mutt is Indy's son. They eventually reach the mythical city of Akator. Spalko returns the skull to its owner, an interdimensional being, which causes a portal to open and a blast of knowledge to vaporize her. The survivors escape as a flying saucer departs for another dimension. Jones returns to Marshall College, is promoted, and marries Marion.
- First release year
- 2008
- Runtime (minutes)
- 122
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Steven Spielberg
- Writers
- David Koepp · screenplay; George Lucas · story; Jeff Nathanson · story
- Cast and characters
- Harrison Ford · Indiana Jones; Cate Blanchett · Irina Spalko; Karen Allen · Marion Ravenwood; Ray Winstone · George "Mac" McHale; John Hurt · Harold 'Ox' Oxley; Jim Broadbent · Dean Charlie Stanforth; Shia LaBeouf · Mutt Williams/Henry Jones III
- Genres
- action; adventure
- Themes
- Cold War tension; Ancient mysteries; Fatherhood
- Tone and mood
- Action-packed; Adventure
- Premise and plot tags
- Time Travel (Historical); Aliens; Archaeology
- Franchise connections
- Indiana Jones
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics and was a financial success.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 65 · scale: 100 · review count: 40
- Awards and nominations
- Best Action Movie · Critics' Choice Awards · 2009 · Nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was the first Spielberg film since 1982's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to premiere at Cannes.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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