Tuesday 31 December 2013

ROTJ AT 30: BERKEY's 'JEDI'!


Our Thirtieth Anniversary coverage of RETURN OF THE JEDI comes to a close with this 1982/83 rare and unused poster concept for the film by respected artist John Berkey, whose previous work for the original STAR WARS, mostly seen on US and UK book covers, would become so widely known...


Monday 30 December 2013

AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'RAZOR'S EDGE' NOVEL


STAR WARS: EMPIRE AND REBELLION

BOOK ONE: RAZOR'S EDGE

By Martha Wells

Published in UK hardback by CENTURY PUBLISHING


Reviewed by Scott Weller


Having ultimately found the long-running post ROTJ era FATE OF THE JEDI series only partially successful in its storytelling aims, the news from LUCAS BOOKS that they were going back to the youthful incarnations of our Classic Trilogy heroes for a new series of books set within the incident packed time lines of EPISODEs IV and V personally proved a welcome sign, as did the revelation that they would also be penned by experienced yet also bright new stars to the publishing dominion- a further decision that certainly restored my faith in the next phase of our heroes literary development. In the coming months, the soon umbrella titled EMPIRE and REBELLION piqued my interest further, especially the announcement that each book in this new trilogy would separately focus on one of the core iconic triad, likely cementing the kind of developing uprising against the Empire soon to be explored in Disney's REBELS animated TV series. The sterling choice of Leia to launch the book series - her story of princess to rebel leader, whose mission to retrieve the Death Star plans ended in such tragedy: witnessing her planet and peoples destruction and the after effects it wrings to her psyche- surely proving a continued rich area for characterisation mining. Martha Wells debut in the Lucas playground certainly captures the spunky and authoritative pre EMPIRE heroine with Razor's Edge, as well as her sparky, sometimes snippy relationship with soon lover Han Solo. The idea of the toughened up Princess also being caught up in the affairs of desperate Alderaanian refuges, who have had to become space pirates in order to survive a changing universe, certainly proves intriguing, bringing with it the necessary moral and ethical dilemmas for Leia to navigate and resolve, alongside her resurfaced guilt association at being a part of the rebellion that ultimately led to their worlds destruction...

Unfortunately, despite a solid beginning, and a fine writing style perfect for STAR WARS books, the overall story, also involving a cruel female pirate flightmaster and some relatively small-scale Imperial pursuit, failed to fully engage me, having a tangible air of same old, same old about it. Lots of new female characters, perhaps more here than the entire output of the Classic Trilogy movies, are welcome but mostly prove forgettable, failing to hold a candle to Lucas's core icons- a continuing problem for LUCAS BOOKS and its authorship chain. The plotline of an emotion besieged Leia caught in tumultuous and dangerous situations with Alderaan survivors was also ultimately done better, and in shorter page length, within one of the early books of the SCHOLASTIC junior adult REBEL FORCE adventures of a few years back.

Here's hoping that the next two soon arriving tales within the EMPIRE and REBELLION series improve on this moderately enjoyable starter (greater imaginative ambitions please!), and that Miss Wells potential as a STAR WARS writer is given a chance to shine brighter with a more original tale in the not too distant future...

AFICIONADO RATING: 6 out of 10

Get hold of RAZOR'S EDGE here: Razor's Edge (Star Wars (Random House Hardcover)): Amazon.co.uk: Martha Wells: Books



Tuesday 24 December 2013

HAPPY XMAS FROM STAR WARS AFICIONADO!


STAR WARS AFICIONADO wishes all our readers worldwide a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2014!


ROTJ AT 30: NEGOTIATIONS CONCLUDED...


In the misty, sweaty environs of Jabba's Throne Room on Tatooine, the mysterious bounty hunter Boushh surveys C-3PO in the aftermath of its pay "dispute" with the Hutt, during this brief and memorable moment from RETURN OF THE JEDI.

With thanks to Ian Trussler for the image.



CLASSIC IMAGE: HIS GREATEST ENEMY!


Yoda is in for the battle of his Jedi life when he returns to Coruscant, to put an end to the emergent Sith Lord Darth Sidious, in this tense moment in the senate pod area, from EPISODE III.

Monday 23 December 2013

CLASSIC ART: SURPRISE!


Clone Gunships make a swift attacking entrance into the heart of the Geonosian Death Arena, in this evocative 2001 conceptual art for EPISODE II by Erik Tiemens.

SPECIAL EDITION CLASSIC IMAGE: A CLEAR TRANSMISSION FOR EVIL


Darth Vader communicates with the Emperor, now in the revised form of Ian McDiarmid, over information concerning the identity of Luke Skywalker as the destroyer of the Death Star, and his emerging powers as a Jedi- a situation finally clear to the Imperial Overlord in this fan controversial changed scene from the 2004 DVD Special Edition upgrade.

THE EVOLVING SHAPE OF 'STAR WARS REBELS'

I want them- dead or alive! STAR WARS REBELS introduces the Inquisitor. Image: LUCASFILM/DISNEY.

Bearing a visage that looks very Utapauan in origin, the ruthless new villain of the STAR WARS REBELS universe, the Inquisitor, will stop at nothing until he's destroyed the beginnings of the Rebel Alliance- a new force for good emerging against the tyranny of the First Galactic Empire.

With Dave Filoni and a team of old and new writers/producers alongside him, let's hope that REBELS, set in the timeline a few years before the original STAR WARS, gets to enjoy a depthful lifespan as long and successful as THE CLONE WARS, when it begins airing later in 2014.

▶ Star Wars Rebels: The Empire Returns - YouTube

Star Wars Rebels Introduces The Inquisitor | Movie News | Empire

▶ Star Wars Rebels: Meet Greg Weisman, Executive Producer - YouTube

▶ Star Wars Rebels: Meet Simon Kinberg, Executive Producer - YouTube

TheForce.net: Rumor: Tim Curry Reprising His Role As Palpatine In Star Wars Rebels?

New Star Wars Tumblr Blog Reveals Rebels Concept Art - IGN

Sunday 22 December 2013

EPISODE VII: WHERE ARE OUR ORIGINAL HEROES?


Since March this year, there have been rumours that the original Classic Trilogy gang of three- Rebel Alliance and New Republic heroes Mark Hamill as General Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia Organa, and Harrison Ford as General Han Solo- would be returning for the brand new opening chapter of the next STAR WARS Trilogy, helmed by writer/director J.J. Abrams.

Since then, speculation of the trio's possible return has been praised and endlessly talked about/debated by fans and entertainment news specialists and critics around the world. But now, as we reach the end of 2013, there has frustratingly still been no official confirmation of their appearances in this all-important first film: EPISODE VII. Official confirmation of their return would have been a lovely Christmas present and end to the year, but, with the official STARWARS.COM website now on holiday, it was not to be. Here's hoping that an announcement comes early into 2014 and as soon as possible- that our beloved heroes will indeed be back in action to challenge old and new threats to their newly established Republic. After so much build up and publicity- LUCASFILM, currently and effectively using these rumours to their own benefit in order to re-energise their press machine- let's indeed hope that they are coming back, otherwise what should be a bold and bright 2014 will get off to a helluva disappointing start for millions of fans...

Fingers crossed...

With thanks to Chris Baker for the above image.

Other EPISODE VII news:

'Star Wars': A look back at Year One of the Disney regime | PopWatch | EW.com


TheForce.net: Disney: Script For Episode VII Expected In January, No Budget Set


J.J. Abrams happy with new release date for Episode VII | TotalFilm.com


Are Disney's Star Wars Theme Park Expansion Plans Now on Hold? - IGN


Star Wars News - Sequel Trilogy, Products & More | StarWars.com

CLASSIC IMAGE: ZOOOOMMMM!


One of the iconic Pod racers -likely Mars Guo- zips through the Tatooine Boonta Eve Classic hurdle canyons, in a classic need for speed moment from EPISODE I.

Saturday 21 December 2013

CLASSIC ART: DEADLY REUNION!


Creating new chapters for the STAR WARS universe in comic form, the introduction of Rebel pilot Shira Brie to the series between EMPIRE and RETURN OF THE JEDI as a potential love interest to Luke Skywalker was an inspired one by MARVEL, as was the later revelation that she was an Imperial agent working for the dreaded Darth Vader. Believed dead in battle, she was eventually resurrected as the scheming warlord Lumiya, soon engaging our hero in conflicts anew, as can be seen in this great art by Tommy Lee Edwards: the kind of inspiring image and call to STAR WARS adventure that we hope to witness in the upcoming EPISODE VII, if indeed Luke Skywalker (and Mark Hamill) returns...

CLASSIC INDY: 'INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL' FILM REVIEW (2008)

Indy discovers he's chosen the wrong friend... again! Images: PARAMOUNT/LUCASFILM

Reviewed by Scott Weller

I could go on all day about what a long gap nineteen years has been between films, and the very long road taken to ensure his return. I could go into detail about how he was originally conceived after its two creators built sandcastles on a beach inMauiHawaii. I could talk about the way the character and his screen adventures have been perceived by his many fans.

But I can’t be bothered to do stuff like that-it’s already been done to death by the press writing hacks in the last few weeks. The simple truth of the matter is: INDIANA JONES IS BACK! And boy, am I glad to see my old friend again, returning with a veritable bang on the big screen, back where he has always belonged.

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL starts with an inspired new variation on the PARAMOUNT MOUNTAIN LOGO, which is pretty good fun in a Rock Wart outside Jabba’s Palace eating RETURN OF THE JEDI type comedy moment-though, right from the start, this probably proved too much for the serious die-hard INDY fans to swallow- I found it an imaginative and different way to begin the movie, and it made me laugh in a positive way-plus I’m assuming it is getting harder and harder for them to find new mountain superimposition gags! As with the other films in the saga, the movie perfectly captures the time period that it’s set in. And the 1950’s proves a much better grounding for the story than I was expecting, with just as much interesting historical material and menace (McCarthy-ism, the Atom Bomb, Russian mind control experiments, Roswell) to be used as there was when the films were previously set in the 1930’s (and if you don’t know some of the Fifties references, like “I like Ike” and McCarthy-ism, then go and check them out for yourself on GOOGLE). The Russians (or film term: “Ruskies”) fill in well for the now done to death original comic book villain Nazis (who were far WORSE in their evil and inhumanity of reality than anything seen in these movies!! Though I’m sure if Spielberg ever did want to use them again, however, he could-most of the leaders fled to the jungles of Panama and South America, so I’m sure another villainous Indy evil-doer, with dreams of launching a Fourth Reich, could always be created!). The Red Menace's entrance is strong and, despite their relentless appearances to challenge Indy and friends during the film, there are also good opportunities to mine them for comedy-especially during the later Jungle chase. 

Older but not any wiser...thankfully! Harrison Ford is Indiana Jones.


The AREA 51 sequence that follows the jovial rock and roll start is a welcome one, again, as previous films, coming in half-way to an unseen adventure- with lots of invention and excitement, with well realized shifts of high action to high comedy and back again (I loved the look on Indy’s face when stuck on the front of the accelerator with his knocked out Russian adversary), followed by an eerie sequence in an Atom Bomb test site that wouldn’t have looked out of place in THE X-FILES (a sequence once more ending with great humour, though soon proving deeply controversial, as Indy escapes the blast site whilst locking himself inside a fridge-only an INDIANA JONES film could get away with this!). Some critics have complained that the film doesn’t introduce Indy in a more spectacular fashion-I have to disagree with this because by doing that it makes it look as if Indy’s been away-from us as cinemagoers perhaps, but in his own universe within the film, even though we haven’t seen his past adventures since LAST CRUSADE, he’s been pretty active these last nineteen years-the idea of him up to his old tricks, now captured by Ruskies and thrown out of the back of a car, worked well for me as both a set-up for the movie and bringing back our friend in an in-character way- as did the silhouette image of his picking up his hat-just as iconic an introduction as anything we’d seen before.

Indy goes in reluctant search of a top secret artefact.

And it is in this early sequence that we, as an audience, discover whether Harrison Ford, now aged 65, can pull off his return from a nearly two decade absence, and carry all of this movie, successfully (the subject of Indy’s age, having been much disputed by fans and critics over the last two years, and especially in the months leading up to filming, would often be unfairly directed towards the actor when deciding to resume the role). Amazingly, as if we really should have ever doubted him in the first place!, he certainly does live up to our expectations. And with bells on! I too have to confess that, at first, I was slightly worried that Harrison might not be able to convincingly pull off the action (and seeing action scenes on a small screen on your computer is not the same as a 70mm film screen). The first part of the well-made sequence at AREA 51 may have briefly showed that he couldn’t quite throw his whip as high as he could when he was forty (however, I’ve also discovered that a different whip expert was behind the new style-Anthony De Longis, who also trained Michelle Pfeiffer for BATMAN RETURNS), but it really didn’t matter-what was important was that he could still use it better than most people on the planet! And once he was starting to climb the boxes and scaffolding in AREA 51 and swing about with relentless gusto, his enthusiasm in the part, and the “smoke and mirrors” to which Ford had previously referred to in film-making, had soon helped me forget all about his age, though some nice gags about his physical condition would later be referenced throughout the film (mostly via the new character of Mutt). By the time of the jungle chase an hour later, the question of his age had now completely disappeared from my mind- I just wanted him doing more of it! Indy was back-the familiar glint in his eye, the scowl he gives the baddies, the almost world weary charm and humour, and the trademark improvisational edge he gives to fighting his enemies. The world has changed in 19 years but, fortunately for cinema audiences, Indy, and Ford’s unique interpretation of the character, has not. In real life and as the character, Harrison Ford, and Indiana Jones are above being natural phenomenon. They are icons as solid as Mount Rushmore. In the nicest possible way, seeing Indy again was like wearing a nice pair of easy comfortable shoes and I cannot stress enough just how good Harrison was in this movie. Though he never needed any help to guarantee an audience-everyone the world over loves him as Indy- Ford continued to do me/us proud in the role, still creating such a warm resonance with the audience, and giving a healthy two fingers up to AGE CONCERN at the same time!

Mutt (Shia LeBouef) is soon caught in the adventure...

Probably conceived to help Indy out with the action sequences (in case Harrison wasn’t able to do most of them-WRONG!), the archaeologist gains a new travelling companion in his newly initiated search for the Crystal Skull, and rising star Shia LeBouef has a great chunk of film time as Mutt-his first appearance is a memorable one, coming out of the mist of a train station atop his bike in a homage to Marlon Brando in REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE, and his scenes alongside Harrison show that this young star, who has lots of charisma, will continue to rise in ascendancy. Though he must never replace Indy as the lead star (more on this later...), I’d certainly like to see him teamed up with his “family” one more time-no, I’m not going to spoil it, even though everyone probably knows by now! 


Cate Blanchett as the enigmatic and dangerous Irina Spalko.

Like every good equation, with every hero there must be an equally strong villain, and in this film Indy has a great one to tackle. Cate Blanchett, the ever talented chameleon actress, brings dedication, respectability and fun to what could have been a very cartoony part as the mind controlling, Russian military version of Belloq from RAIDERS-and despite her severe looks I thought she was pretty sexy in it, too! She brings the right amount of seriousness and wry “I’m in a fun movie” mentality to her playing of the part. Her physicality as a villain, immersed in much of the film’s middle action sequence, was also nice to see in comparison to the lack of action previously shown by villains in the other films. And she’s mean with a rapier too! Fans have bemoaned that she has little to do in the film and that her villainess is a just a caricature. Yes, she is a caricature, but so have many of Indy’s other past villains-Walter Donovan, Mola Ram- they are all cartoon villains in the best INDY tradition. Irina Spalko is an excellent addition to the roll call and miles better than Alison Doody ever was in LAST CRUSADE. Adding to the boo-hiss roster, though a little bit more could have been done with the part of Mac, Ray Winstone is also good as the continually turncoat “friend” to Indy-it was a little strange at first getting used to Ray in this style of film, and with his south London accent alongside Ford, but within five minutes he seemed like a part of the movie’s furniture. Also a special mention to Igor Jijikine, who played the vicious Ruskie thug Dovchenko, providing the strong muscle to fight Harrison in the way that the late Pat Roach did in his three classic INDY appearances.


With Karen Allen back for action, more humour is mined from Indy and Marion's reunion.

The idea of bringing back the ultimate female foil to Indy, Marion Ravenwood (believed to be by one of the films original writers, Frank Darabont), was an inspired one-we as fans had always wanted her back: the ideal fiery and determined woman for Indy’s character. Though older, Marion
, like Indy, is not any wiser, and Karen Allen gives the part as much spunk and charm as she can within the limits of the screenplay, and she still has a terrific, cheekily adventurous smile. Sadly she's not in the film as much as I would have liked but what there are good, though obviously not enough, between her character and Indy as the later comes to terms with the fact that he has some new complications-for better or worse-in his life.

Despite his characters importance in the film, John Hurt (who also introduced the film at the press screening I attended in London), though excellent as ever, doesn’t get much chance to shine as the missing, mentally unhinged archaeologist Oxley-which is a bit of a shame. Any hopes of his being Abner Ravenwood-father of Marion, with possible links to the Ark, sadly never materialized either. The ever amiable Jim Broadbent-who has come a long way since the TV comedy days of ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES- also appears briefly and does what he can with material originally conceived for Sean Connery, who declined an approach to return as Henry Jones Senior.


Our heroes with Professor Oxley (John Hurt) and the Crystal Skull.

On the subject of Connery… I was sad that he didn’t return for the final movie (he could have done it y’know-surely a brief moment, a few filming days away from the Marbella beach golf course, wouldn’t have been too much of a problem for the great man!), but ultimately I think his presence, if it had been beyond a cameo, would have added problems to an already very large main cast at the film’s end. I was also equally disappointed that Lucas and Spielberg elected to kill his character off within the missing years of Indy’s off-screen life. A little bit of me still thinks that, having drunk from the Holy Grail, he and Indy should be living forever! Despite this, the script intriguingly and effectively makes the most of the somber-ness of the news of Henry and Marcus Brody’s passing, with Ford, in a well played moment that brought a lump to my throat, telling the audience what a bad couple of years its been in his life in the run up to his new quest: a situation that leads to a resolution that makes his characters final scene with his new “family” all the more poignant and important both to Indy and to the audience.

And as for cameos, what about that General Ross, as played by Alan Dale from NEIGHBOURS- that actor pops up everywhere-24, ULGY BETTY, LOST and now INDY. He must have one helluva terrific agent!

As well as the steady ship of Harrison Ford as the titular hero, we all knew that the party wouldn’t be the same without the equally familiar faces behind the scenes that we’ve come to admire over the years- that same team that have always guaranteed that we’ll see a quality new adventure for our hero. Adding to the overall success of the film for me was that the films style, it’s feel, was exactly the same as it had been before-it was like it had never been away- all thanks to their film-making attitudes from the three previous INDY films (though Robert Watts, we missed seeing you at the party!)-there was no mucking about with a format that already worked so well and no changes were made to our wonderful hero-he was the same smart-ass, funny, adventurous and stubbornly defiant hero we’ve always loved and wanted to be like. Its pace was also pretty similar to the other films, though fans have quickly hated the way that the last half of the new one becomes a group sprint spectacle. To the defense of the film-makers, as if they really need it, I say think back to 1984- do you remember what the critics said about TEMPLE OF DOOM-believe it or not, many of them at that time thought the finale half four sequence of Indy fighting the Thugees, then the mine car chase, followed by the bridge, was too fast paced at the expense of the plot as well. And that was 1984! Funny how things have come full circle... Years later we got used to TEMPLE’s fast pace. Now it’s regarded as fine and classic INDY, and, with the benefit of time and repeat viewings we’ll eventually get used to this one as well.  

We must also mention some of the nice touches/references to earlier INDY films, too (I loved the Ark of the Covenant moment-the greatest weapon you could have to take over the world and they all missed it!)), and the way that our hero echoes the same I am not amused face to Shia on his bike that his dad did to him in LAST CRUSADE.

Double of triple crosser? Even Mac (Ray Winstone) isn't sure!

As is tradition, no INDY adventure would be complete without were some very effective, genuinely creepy moments that will linger in you and your children’s imaginations for a while yet-the skull faced poison dart wielding assassins at the grave site soon spring to mind, as do the cannibal CGI realized ants (in an excellent homage to the classic Charlton Heston adventure film THE NAKED JUNGLE)-proving a worthy addition into the pantheon of nasty critters that have loitered throughout the INDY films from the beginning. And the final scene with the transdimensional alien, which I thought was pretty scary just in its skull form (alongside some effective scary mood music by John Williams), literally sucking the mind and life-force from Cate Blanchett is just as nasty and equally good a death as any we’d seen before.

Despite the vast types of different movies he has made over the last nineteen years, Steve Spielberg’s work on the INDY films will continue to be all-defining to me, and age hasn’t affected his approach to this new adventure at all. He once again proves what a master of the craft he is, with beautifully composed shots, a keen eye for detail and characterization, a strong talent for creating strong action sequences and with a skill in editing, alongside regular colleague Michael Khan, that is almost second to none. I’d never trust anyone else with an INDY film-George Lucas may have created the character but Spielberg, alongside Ford, is what gives it the lifeforce that we know and love today. Spielberg was born to make these movies. Though his trusty regular collaborator, Janusz Kaminski, can’t quite capture the cinematography from the previous masterful eyes of Douglas Slocombe, it is still nonetheless impressive and not as stark and silver looking as some of his earlier films with Spielberg. And all of the cast are well photographed, too. The all-important set design, by Guy Hendrix Dyas (who previously worked on the equally challenging, almost retro look of SUPERMAN RETURNS), however, more than matches those of Norman Reynolds and Elliot Scott from years before- the atmospheric, trap ridden ruins of Eldorado, the sanatorium and graveyards of Akator, and the return of the Marshall University of Yale (which is shot once more in the same directorial style by Spielberg as he did in RAIDERS and LAST CRUSADE), plus a new look home for Indy (with reminisces from previous films and artifacts from adventures sadly never to be seen-except in our imaginations) are all brilliantly realized.

Other returning faces such as Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy are also great to see, and on the Sound Design front, it’s equally warm to have Ben Burtt return to the LUCASFILM family after his defection (and I mean that in a nice way) a few years back to PIXAR (look out for his work on WALL.E coming soon). Some familiar sounds from RAIDERS return, as well as the iconic Wilhelm scream. One terrific new audio concoction I particularly enjoyed was the scene where the guardians of the temple could be heard before their arrival-the sound of their deadly bolos reverberating in the air as they get ready to capture Indy and the gang.

Marion and Mutt encounter are caught in an unfriendly social gathering!

Even more important as a returning cast member-the true “soul” of the film-composer John Williams- returns with his usual enthusiastic gusto and remarkable ability to capture how we should be feeling about the movie, and it was nice to see him revisiting his older themes from previous movies-the RAIDERS march is as hummable, downright exciting and definingly nostalgic as ever, Marion’s theme is as beautiful today as it was in 1981, and there are equally good new themes-despite CINEMA RETROS comments that Williams was just phoning in his score! I’d like to see you do it, guys!- such as the eerie and haunting Call of the Crystal Skull melody, the cheerful and energetic theme for Mutt (almost a hyper orchestrated version of the RAIDERS theme) and the sublimely confident “I believe in Mother Russia”- esque theme for Agent Spalko. And his action music sequences have never been better, with this exciting, thrill-a-minute score for the chase through the jungle.

Supposedly a mixture of ideas from three to four different scripts over the last six years, David Koepp’s scripting, considering all the previous difficulties in getting the project off the ground, is full of good ideas and sharp dialogue but true depth in the screenplay is not there in the same way it was in Last Crusade. He does character well for the first half of the film before action and incident take complete precedent over for the second half-an unbalanced situation that may not be to everyone’s tastes. It’s a shame that Lawrence Kasdan couldn’t have come back to book end this last (?) film-it would have been perfect, but who knows if he were ever asked. For the most part, though, Koepp has pulled victory from what could have been the jaws of defeat-it’s still better than most modern blockbusters I’ve seen in the last twelve years, and does a good job of introducing Indy to a younger audience that might not know who the character is from the eighties, whilst hopefully giving enough solid story/inventive new action sequences material to keep us fans of old happy (though how much of which was improvised as shooting began by Ford and the cast/crew is unknown). It’s also nice to find out snippets of what Indy has been doing in the last eighteen years-as well as naturally serving his country during the Second World War (and a numerously decorated war hero at that!), he has continued to be an adventurer. There’s also some nice referencing to past films and the YOUNG INDY TV series which makes the latter more linked cannon-wise to the film series.

As referred to almost like one of the famous Hitchcock-inspired McGuffin’s, the inter-dimensional alien skull idea for the film proves interesting, tie-ing in well with the rest of the 1950’s era and it’s increasing penchant for all things Roswell and flying saucer men, and the quest for it proves actually stronger in this movie than the hunt for the Grail was in the previous LAST CRUSADE’s first half (though everyone knows that the character relationship between estranged father and son took prevalence over that actual quest anyway).


Indy shows some disappointment with Mutt as the action rages on.

CRYSTAL SKULL shows the world that action continues to play an important part in the INDY universe, breathing up new sequences that other film-makers now have to try and top all over again!! Past the ambitious AREA 51 sequence, the film also boasts a quirky, though perhaps a little over-long, bike chase through the streets of the Universities (and the end scene with the head of Marcus Brody buried in the lap of the Russian drivers is great fun). Additionally, the Jungle truck chase that follows later in the film proves a superb sequence worthy of the INDY name, well edited, exciting and full of incident-I loved the scene of Spalko and Mutt sword fighting whilst Indy was taking on six Ruskies on another jeep (and continuing to punch Ray Winstone’s traitorous Mac every chance he could!), the latter scene of Spalko hanging onto the front of Marion’s jeep trying to machine gun anyone and everyone else standing in her way to retrieve the skull, and the final full on punch up between Indy and Dovchenko (as good as the plane fight in the original RAIDERS) whilst the area around them is plagued by killer ants. Adding to the new talent mixing with the old guard, and with his excellent reputation for stunt work with Daniel Craig for CASINO ROYALE, British co-ordinator Greg Powell generally follows well in the tradition of Glenn Randall and Vic Armstrong, solidifying his already excellent reputation with this new work for CRYSTAL SKULL and it’s all defining last three-quarters of an hour of wall to wall adventure and escapades-his stunt arranging totally in synch with what physical action Harrison is given.

Adding to the spectacle prevalent to an INDY film, the use of CGI in the film is much bigger than Spielberg and Lucas had previously hinted at, but, for the most part, its good and fits well into the story-there is the terrific aerial shot of the Russian task force cutting through the jungle, the magnificent temple vistas in Peru, the gravesite, parts of the Jungle- all of these effects would have been in done in the old days with matte painting and models anyway, and these shots have been created just with updated technology. The major use of CGI is reserved for the end of the film...more on this later. Digital animals also come to reality here, especially in the jungle chase, though the audience may feel that Lucas and Spielberg have stretched credibility a bit thin with this TARZAN-esque homage scene involving Mutt and the chimps as they attack the Ruskies-many critics and soul destroyed die-hard INDY fans may feel the disappointing shades of the Chewbacca swinging across the vine sequence from RETURN OF THE JEDI all over again.


I have a bad feeling about this...

And as for more controversy, what about THAT ending? Well, it’s gonna be a very controversial one-you could see and feel the mixed reception with the press audience I first saw the film with. Lucas had warned people with the VANITY FAIR feature that the flying saucers hinted at in the film’s story might not go down well with a lot of people, and that he knew the critics were ready to swing their axes and sharpen their knives in that respect. And his instincts were proved right. So far, that sequence has received a mauling. I’m okay on it. In some ways, the discovery of the Saucer is the ultimate end to Indy’s quests (if this is indeed the last film). Not only has he found the greatest archaeologists in history with the Temple’s Custodians, but he has also solved one of the greatest mysteries of our time-do aliens exist? Against this fifties backdrop, the saucer appearance scene just about works. They could have played it safe- they could have just showed the final spectacular disintegration of the temple rather than the following shot of the flying saucer- but they (Lucas/Spielberg) chose not to. With the alien shown, for good or bad, they made a brave choice (and it was nice to see Spielberg still doing the reverse of CLOSE ENCOUNTERS and E.T., and keeping in line with his previous WAR OF THE WORLDS nastiness!). How film history/INDY fans eventually perceive that sequence, only time will tell...


Finally hitched...

Regarding the final wedding moment, well… I’m an old softie at heart so I really liked it- again, the audience will probably think it’s all too sickly sweet but I thought it was a nice touch (well...another ending after LAST CRUSADE’s original sign off into the sunset ending). And I loved the scene when Marion takes the initiative in making the first move in smothering Indy with a kiss! As for the possibility of Mutt taking the reins from Indy, well… as the final moment deliciously demonstrates, I don’t think Ford, or Indy for that matter, will let that happen…

So, in final analysis, how does CRYSTAL SKULL fit into the worthy pantheon of the INDY films? Well, as a book end to the first film, it would probably have been considered a stronger finale if LAST CRUSADE hadn’t previously existed and already wrapped the saga with Sean Connery and the aforementioned sunset finale previously conceived by Spielberg. No matter what the critics and the die-hard fans think, who once again bitterly moan that their childhood has been so-called “raped” by Lucas/Spielberg in the same way that Lucas did to their STAR WARS Prequel dreams (Yes, nothing will ever top RAIDERS-it was the first- it was unique), in just two hours of running time, CRYSTAL SKULL, alongside those two previous precious jewel-like INDY sequels, is still superior to most other recent action films. It's a more than worthy Indy sequel despite its faults. It still has its heart in the right place
 and wasn’t just contrived by a movie studio to make lots of money (I genuinely believe the trinity of Ford, Lucas and at first wary Spielberg ultimately made it because they wanted to!). You can take your second rate imposters like THE MUMMY RETURNS, and your NATIONAL TREASURES and put them in the cupboard-the real masters of the family action genre were back in business this year! 


Ford with Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas (note the infamous T-shirt!)

Lucas, Spielberg and Ford did their very best within a strict timetable window/opportunity to please fans and cinemagoers with this one more INDY film-we asked for it for years and they gave it to us (but why did it have to take soooo long..we could have had at least two more films in those gap years!) And yet, with all their dedication to us, the fans/audiences, from so many of the notices I’ve read over the last few days, are so upset after their mighty anticipations have been let down by the film-makers. Lucas, as with his experiences on the Prequels, and Spielberg are damned if they do, damned if they don’t. Me, well I enjoyed every god-damn minute of it-I came out of the cinema smiling (and I don’t do that very often these days). It was nice to see Indy back, and truly back he was-age will not stop this man, nor will his thirst for adventure. And if there’s a chance, just a chance, of getting another Indy film within the next three years up to the quality of this one, fully starring Harrison Ford in action once more (before he reaches seventy), and alongside the same as ever production team, then I’d jump hoops to see it...

Steven Spielberg presents his cast at the 2007 Comic Con.

AFICIONADO REVIEW RATING: An enjoyable return to adventure for Harrison Ford as Indy: 8 out of 10.


RATINGS IN COMPARISON TO PREVIOUS INDY FILMS


AFICIONADO REVIEW RATING: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK: Still the best and cannot be topped for its strong characters, rip-roaring action adrenalin rush excitement: 10 out of 10

AFICIONADO REVIEW RATING: INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM: Dark and daring, yet still in the best RAIDERS tradition: 9 out of 10

AFICIONADO REVIEW RATING: INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE: Humour and action mix well together, with fine charisma between Ford and Connery, in this original last hurrah for the Jones's: 8 out of 10. 

Friday 20 December 2013

BEHIND THE SCENES: AQUATIC KENOBIS!


Stuntman/actor Nash Edgeton (brother to Uncle Owen's Joel) and Ewan McGregor go through an upcoming underwater sequence within the tank of FOX STUDIOS, Australia in 2003. The scene, part of an early chase/action sequence aboard the Invisible Hand, would ultimately be cut from the film for time and pace reasons, but would make the eventual 2005 DVD release.

ROTJ AT 30: IMPERIAL RESISTANCE!


Tearing through the Death Star II's labyrinth superstructure, the Millennium Falcon and an X-wing fighter (preumably Wedge's) are shot at by an Imperial Gunner, in an unfilmed storyboard, artist unknown, for RETURN OF THE JEDI.

An image from STARWARS.COM's now defunct Hyperspace area.


Thursday 19 December 2013

A PRINCESS IN DANGER. 'RAZOR'S EDGE' - OUT NOW IN UK HARDBACK


The eagerly anticipated EMPIRE AND REBELLION book trilogy begins in the UK this month with CENTURY's hardback release of the Princess Leia adventure Razor's Edge, by Martha Wells.

Here's the cover blurb:

Times are desperate for the Rebel Alliance. Harassment by the Empire and a shortage of vital supplies are hindering completion of a new secret base on the ice planet Hoth. So when Mid Rim merchants offer much-needed materials for sale, Princess Leia Organa and Han Solo lead an Alliance delegation to negotiate a deal.

But when treachery forces the rebel ship to flee into territory controlled by pirates, Leia makes a shocking discovery: the fierce marauders come from Leia’s homeworld of Alderaan, recently destroyed by the Death Star. These refugees have turned to pillaging and plundering to survive—and they are in debt to a pirate armada, which will gladly ransom the princess to the vengeful Empire . . . if they find out her true identity.

Struggling with intense feelings of guilt, loyalty, and betrayal, Leia is determined to help her wayward kinspeople, even as Imperial forces are closing in on her own crippled ship. Trapped between lethal cutthroats and brutal oppressors, Leia and Han, along with Luke, Chewbacca, and a battle-ready crew, must defy death—or embrace it—to keep the rebellion alive.


Look out for our review in the not too distant future...

Razor's Edge (Star Wars (Random House Hardcover)): Amazon.co.uk: Martha Wells: Books

CLASSIC ART: TIME OF THE SKYWALKERs...


Tsuneo Sanda's run of gorgeous STAR WARS artwork continues with this piece devoted to the Skywalker family clan from across both distinctive Trilogies, figure-headed by an EPISODE II Padme Amidala. Looking forward to seeing what Mister Sanda brings to the artistic table with the upcoming EPISODEs VII to IX!

SANDAWORLD.COM | STAR WARS ORIGINAL ART PAINTING BY TSUNEO SANDA

BEHIND THE SCENES: SMOKEY JEDI!


Surviving Jango Fett's lethal pyromania, Jedi Master and all-round cool dude Mace Windu lands in the midst of the Geonosis Death Arena, ready to fight on with his colleagues, in this behind the scenes shot from 2000 for EPISODE II.

Wednesday 18 December 2013

CLASSIC IMAGE: VADER's HEADACHE!


Darth Vader's face of evil rolls to the floor of the Dagobah "cave", soon exploding to underneath reveal its true visage as the enemy that Luke Skywalker has fought. Years on, helped by John Williams subtle electronic music/orchestra hybrid, it remains an eerie and effective sequence from THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

CLASSIC IMAGE: MOVE OVER, KEN AND BARBIE!


Looking ready to hit the fashion catwalks of Paris and Milan, our Kenner STAR WARS larger size plastic incarnations of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia assemble for a snazzy clothes line series from the late seventies that was ultimately abandoned. Luke Skywalker far left has some seriously cool Cyclops shades, while the Princess Leia far right looks ready to slay an Ewok!

Tuesday 17 December 2013

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE COMING OF MAUL!


Newly arrived on Tatooine, the Sith warrior Darth Maul, so menacingly played by Ray Park, has a Queen to find... and some Jedi to kill, in this mysterious scene from EPISODE I.

For more on Maul, check out the upcoming novel MAUL: LOCKDOWN, by DEATHTROOPERS terror scribe Joe Schreiber, here: Star Wars: Maul - Lockdown: Joe Schreiber: 9780345509031: Amazon.com: Books

AFICIONADO CLASSIC REVIEW (2008): 'BRING BACK 'STAR WARS'' TV REUNION EVENT

A Princess and her Wookiee: Carrie Fisher and Justin Lee Collins in BRING BACK 'STAR WARS'!



BRING BACK 'STAR WARS'


CREATED BY, HOSTED AND STARRING JUSTIN LEE COLLINS

FIRST AIRED ON CHANNEL 4 (UK) TELEVISION -14TH SEPTEMBER 2008


Reviewed by Scott Weller


Also known as BRING BACK 'STAR WARS' - BUT ONLY IF ANTHONY DANIELS DOESN’T COME ALONG!


I never in my life expected to see a cast reunion that included the holy trinity of Ford, Hamill and Fisher-I knew it wouldn’t ever, EVER happen, and that Ford isn't interested in STAR WARS apart from making money signing OFFICIALPIX images-but I have to say that, despite that knowledge, I was hoping the powers of persuasion belonging to charismatic and charmingly British Justin Lee Collins might at the very least reunite Hamill and Fisher, so I was slightly disappointed by his at times noble/comedic/nostalgic/bold adventure to BRING BACK STAR WARS, and it may have been a reaction felt similarly by CHANNEL 4, too, after months of holding the programme back from it's original transmission plans last year (or were their other factors involved, like possible LUCASFILM/actor problems (Justin Lee Collins didn't pursue Harrison Ford, I felt, with any of the kind of zeal that he did with the other WARS people (or even those from previous BRING BACK specials he’d done-his getting hold of Mister T for the previous A-TEAM edition having been superb!)-at least from what I saw in the finished programme!)). Yes, as ever, Collins was on fine enthusiastic Bristolian fare and you could see that he genuinely loves STAR WARS (it was fun seeing him the pictures of him at the years he went to see each of the classic films), and you could plainly feel that he was loving meeting, or trying to meet (his attempts to raise a money collection from Los Angeles residents to pay for Mark Hamill’s interview was very funny (what happened to the $1,000 odd bucks they'd raised, though!)), all the actors in this well-produced and edited programme (loved those rare STAR WARS fans clips and the reasonably good quality HOLIDAY SPECIAL scenes, too), of which I felt the new look (for 2007), blond-haired Carrie Fisher was on top form –at first charmingly reluctantly to talk, but soon reluctantly charming in her conversation with Collins (and her memories of that first hairstyle as Leia will probably haunt her from beyond the grave), as was the genuinely surprised Warwick Davis, who bravely talked JEDI and Ewoks in his hot tub with the presenter for an equally amusing segment! But the rest of it, from time to time with the other actors pursued, left me feeling a bit down in the dumps-I knew that there were problems between certain actors/production team members on set, and frictions in the years following the success of STAR WARS, but it kind of upsets me to see it all officially coming out-Hamill's supposed jealousy of Ford and his career, Daniels and Baker hating one another, Fisher wanting an affair at 18 and probably trying it on with Ford, Dave Prowse ostracised by Lucas after JEDI, etc-its like a GODFATHER moment-imagine the Corleone family are all in confession, in some kind of catharsis treatment, then letting loose the Tommy Gun's!

Yep, Collins and, I'm sure, the general viewers, were lapping it all up and the revelations will make wonderful pub conversation for years to come-along the lines of “another happy family (like STAR TREK, DALLAS, etc) that was not as innocent and charming and friendly as the fans thought- ho, ho” - but to me it kind of soured this fun nostalgic programme (I'd love to know what LUCASFILM thought about the final cut-we'll never know, they'll never tell us, but I'd love to be a fly on the wall at the Ranch!). Satisfying it may be for the stars to get the anger of things off their chests but at the end of the programme with only the four regular crowd pleasing UK STAR WARS ambassadors (Prowse, Bulloch, Davis and Baker) meeting up for the drink in London's 24 bar, it saddened me that it seems that our heroes, on screen and off, aren't perfect-heck, I want them to be perfect. Is that too much to ask! Seriously though, all those years of watching their camaraderie and fun on the behind the scenes documentaries have perhaps given me bigger rose-tinted spectacles than I thought I’d worn, but I'd hoped that there would be more enjoyment for me watching the stars taking part in the programme rather than occasionally covering my head in embarrassment as some of their revealed grudges-especially when two of the four BRING BACK actors wouldn't come to the event if Anthony Daniels was attending-such is his unpopularity off camera. I found that all very sad.

What a shame then that the BRING BACK event, what with Collins zest and love for STAR WARS and it’s cast, as well as re-opening old wounds up after thirty years, couldn't have been able to heal them at the same time...


AFICIONADO RATING: The most ambitious "Bring Back" yet didn't totally live up to its lofty aims and promise, though not for want of trying. You have to give kudos to Lee Collins for his gusto and enthusiasm for getting this programme made without much original interest from the UK's CHANNEL 4. One to be seen for the nostalgia rather than the occasional bitterness: 7 out of 10.

FOR A GREAT INTERVIEW WITH JUSTIN LEE COLLINS ON THE PROGRAMME, CHECK OUT THE THREE-PART INTERVIEW ON THE JEDI NEWS SITE: http://www.jedinews.co.uk/news/news.aspx?newsID=1710