[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

I loved it. I will probably love watching it again. Despite its flaws (and I agreed with the bulk of ism's assessment of those flaws), I enjoyed it immensely. Whatever The Temple of Doom had going for it (Short Round!), the story didn't interest me that much and I HATED Kate Capshaw. And I didn't hate her just because Karen Allen brought moxie to the love interest role and I adored her in Raiders (and Starman - hah!), but that did play a part.

And I really, really enjoyed The Last Crusade, and not just because I love it when Indy fights the Nazis, though I DO love it when Indy fights the Nazis. Heh. I'm pretty sure I enjoyed The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull as much as the 3rd Indy film, and I'm also pretty sure it's because it made me feel like a giddy elementary school kid while watching it. I could have done without some of the CGI effects (Tarzan, to name one), but didn't mind others (the waterfalls). But I loved the plot. I liked that it was made very clear at the beginning that this was the direction they were going to take, so I went with it. And it seemed perfectly tailored for an Indy flick, though I wish they showed less at the end. Too much information.

I especially loved the Red Scare / 50's paranoia sci-fi combo.

No, it cannot touch the goodness Raiders of the Lost Ark. Considering that Raiders might be my favorite movie next to Safety Last!, few movies can for me. But I was happy to have a 4th installment, and wasn't disappointed by what we were given.