But the hat really wasn't just one hat. Indiana Jones ?both the swashbuckling archeologist and the joyfully hokey, brazenly sentimental, obscenely successful franchise he sired?is a part of our culture's Hollywood patrimony. Indiana Jones is a household name that makes people smile and remember the first time they were introduced to him. The theme song still has the ability to give me goose bumps every time I hear it. Indiana Jones adventures appear in paperback novels, a television series, video games and comic books. Raiders of the Lost Ark ushered in a new hero for a generation. Indiana Jones?: If you’re heading to the refreshment counter at the movies this summer, be prepared for sticker shock. The already outrageous price of that gooey tub of popcorn is likely to be quite a bit higher by year’s end, due in part to record demand on corn stocks for ethanol production. Crystal Skull may bring back the faces and themes we remember, but it’s curiously bloated and malnourished, too much and not enough. It’ll make a bunch of money, sure, but even after 19 years of waiting, I can’t imagine it truly satisfying anyone’s jones for Jones. Crystal skulls have since featured in many books, articles and films, most recently in the new Steven Spielberg movie Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Crystal Skull has bit too much of the "breadcrumbs dropped by an older mentor" plot of Last Crusade , and the whole thing feels anemic after a while. The attempt to mash 1950s Cold War paranoia with post-9/11 social commentary falls flat, because in Crystal Skull the damned Commies really are everywhere; this is Jack Webb's Red Nightmare territory here, folks. Ford rode the ups and downs of high-concept stardom, oscillating between roles that called for him to flash his customary wry grin or his equally familiar grumpy frown. Not that Indy has gone soft or the natives have gone hard, mind you, only that Mr. Ford should be left on his own, leading the Indiana Jones films. But as his son, he was pretty believable, and really enjoyable. Ford’s Commie leanings, but that certainly is not reflected in the character of Indiana Jones. Two themes that come shining through in this movie — the importance of education and family. Lucas also didn't shy away from exploring other genres – with some episodes being more dramatic than adventurous, or war stories and espionage thrillers devoid of "daring-do" and narrow escapes. Lucas lowered the bar and Indy skipped over it. I'm looking forward to the movie, but I always look forward to the big, fun, popcorn movies. Lucas showed the movie to cast & crew before the start of filming Raiders, and it's been kept under wraps ever since--though I don't see why. There are certainly similarities, but nothing along the lines of the "scene-for-scene" reviews I've read at some sites. Shia Saide LaBeouf isn't exactly used to being such a jock. The native of Los Angeles began his career doing some nice safe stand-up comedy at local coffee houses. Shia does a very good job of the more physical action in my opinion.