Reviews

I'm a parent of a child with high-functioning autism, and while my child's condition isn't nearly as severe as Ms. Grandin's, I was touched and awed by the portrayal in the film on a deeply personal level and as a fan of film.

Not once during the entire film was I able to sit back and say, unequivocally, that's Claire Danes on the screen. Not once, because that was not Claire Danes - it was Temple Grandin, or at the very least what we saw on the screen was %99.999 the character brought to life with an unbelievably immersive portrayal of Ms. Grandin by Ms. Danes.

I've seen those looks, those pensive stares filled with wonder and awe and fear but on a level so completely foreign to those of us who do not have autism. There were moments in this film I was looking right into my child's eyes through that screen.

Ms. Danes is an extraordinary talent, and while I've watched many of her films with interest, I will make it a point to see those I have not yet seen, and will watch with renewed interest and intensity those I have already seen.

Wow...seriously, that's about all I can say about her performance - Wow.

1) A shrill, ridiculous female counterpart.

2) A main plot device that connects not at all with the primary viewing audience (the mystical stones).

3) A main story setting that...(see 2).

4) An 'over-the-top' mark that exceeds even the most ridiculous mid-century b-movies.

5) Her again...(so bad she deserves a second mention)

The other three movies had a main plot device that registers with most Americans and a good part of the Western world.

There was nothing in this movie, other than Indy, with which I connected - and short of the opening sequence which had Capshaw doing (in the proper setting) what she manages to do the rest of the movie, I really did not connect with the story or with Indy in this setting and on this adventure at all.

I'd venture a guess that the reason the 4th film is panned so much in Europe and other non-US countries has to do with its quintessential American tie-in from that era...Roswell Aliens - something which other nations have certainly heard of but which Americans, most of all, seem to have been obsessed with (either believing it or ardently arguing against it) over the last 60 years.

Bring on an Indy 5 - but dear Lord, please pick a story that Americans and hopefully a good portion of the West (the primary moviegoers for Spielberg/Lucas films) can actually get invested in - mystical stones just doesn't cut it.

And no more shrill damsels who can't shut up long enough not to risk the lives of everyone they are traveling with every 5 minutes.

I walked out of the theater thinking just two words...Tim...who? Stellar job...consistent with the spirit and letter of key features of the Batman legends critical to the character, and too easily brushed aside by the over-the-top renditions of the Burton/Schumacher franchise.

Character, dialogue, story...outstanding in all respects (enough to draw some of the most talented and seasoned actors in the industry).

Parting thoughts: keep Clooney, Schumacher and Burton as far away from this version as is conceivable...and no cameos by Adam West, please for the love of God! :)

I am so NOT kidding...the images burned into my mind after seeing this film simply will not come out!

I walked up to the ticket counter when I took my two boys to see this film, 6 and 4 respectively, and casually asked for tickets for two easily entertained children and one reluctant adult. I pulled out the money I was soon to regret parting with (more than I regret not having followed Marilyn Sturgess under the bleachers at that Varsity Basketball game in 9th grade) and promptly entered a domain so much akin to the Purgatory mentioned in Catholic literature from the times of the Spanish Inquisition tnat I was wont to leave by any means necessary.

The only thing keeping in my seat through this film was the thought of either the fight I would have with my oldest son (who was on the verge of losing bladder control from excitement) or the prospect of a Child Protective Services indictment if I were to be seen running from the theater at top speed (for a middle-aged man of my not insubstantial girth) screaming in Aramaic (or some other Pauline-era dialect) without my children in tow.

It is remarkable how small those inducements seemed in retrospect once I had seen the entire film, an experience that at once made me both question my belief in a higher power who is merciful and benevolent, and called to mind thoughts of incurring a head-wound in the hopes that I could truly forget the experience.

The only comment I can make on this film for those who have not seen it is the one I offered to my wife, when I informed her that we should tell all of our friends who have children with ADHD that they can actually take them to see it without medicating them (having one of those myself I do not find that a particularly distasteful assessment).

My four-year old, whose wisdom is often startling, said simply, "that was the dumbest movie I have ever saw!" What more could one say to that?

If you are a parent who is forced to take your child to see this film, do so on minimal sleep and take a pillow with you...that or take 3-4 doses of a common, over-the-counter sleep aid prior to entering the theater. Alcohol also works, but only if you live within walking distance and are not prone to become violent when you imbibe. :)

Good luck to all who are forced to see this film. For the rest of you, pray to whatever God you hold dear that you will never be so compelled.