My first experience watching a Spielberg film was 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom' back in the fall of 1993. As I waited for Jurassic Park to come on VHS in October 1994, since I was not allowed to go to movie theatres. I spent a year watching all of the Spielberg films as I waited for Jurassic Park including other 'Indiana Jones' films. Although, I must correct myself that I do remember seeing 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' earlier in 1983 at the age of 5 and remember the opening sequence. That being said, after watching all 3 'Indiana Jones' films on VHS, I really wanted to see another 'Indiana Jones' film but on the big screen.

When I launched DreamWorksFansite.com back 1997, rumours were at it's best that we will be seeing 'Indiana Jones 4' soon. Four years later nothing happened but TheRaider.Net was born in partnership between myself and Gilles V. And since then it has been a 7 years of journey listening to every Spielberg interview at junket with the leading question, 'When will we see 'Indiana Jones 4'? And then suddenly last year, it was officially announced after Lucas, Ford and Spielberg all agreed to a script.

Fan anticipation rose slowly all year long in 2007 but climbed it's peak as of March 2008. In the past two weeks, I saw 'Indiana Jones' trilogy once again and introduced the trilogy to my wife.

I received my press screening pass 4 weeks ago for 11 a.m screening on a Sunday which is quite rare. The day before was spent driving to Buffalo, NY from Toronto, Canada for a business trip, I got back home at 11 pm. We barely slept to wake up yet again at 8 a.m. so we can be first in line at the theatre for 9 a.m. Now enough rambling, on with the review.

'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystall Skull' started in the old fashion way with the old Paramount logo and mountain dissolving into something unusual yet cute. The film starts exactly like the rest of the Indiana Jones film with action in the beginning and the discovery of a lost artificat. Only this time, it was slightly different. The opening credits were very similar to that of 'Last Crusade' and featured some amazing cinematography by Janusz Kaminski. The camera work although remained much like the original 3 films offered some wicked shots including a 180 degree pan shot much like from 'War of the Worlds' scene when Ray (Tom Cruise) leaves the city.

Without getting into detail, the opening is loads of fun as we are introduced to the old 'Indiana Jones'. And yes we do hear the theme as we see Jones for the very first time. From there on, we learn more about the plot including a scene that has never been featured in any Spielberg film let 'Indiana Jones' film alone. What is it? If I tell, you might not like me for calling this a spoiler free review. However, I will say that the outcome of the scene was somewhat hard to believe even for a Spielberg film. Moving on, we are introduced to Mutt (Shia La Belouf) who has some incredible dialogue, brilliant action and character driven scenes with Indiana Jones. That's all I am going to say about the plot. Let's talk about cast and crew and will talk about shots and performances from the character's point of view.

Let's face it, even as fans all of us doubted Harrison Ford to come back and play 'Indiana Jones' at this stage in his life but he proved us wrong. It seemed to me that he did 99% of his stunts if not 100%. I could be wrong on that and say it is probably 100%. And what a great job he did. It included some incredible scene's which involve a car and a motor bike chase. You will see what I mean when you see it. And mind you, it was a funny scene as well which is what makes Harrison Ford still the same 'Indiana Jones' as he was 19 years ago. He has the same wicked 'Indy' smile and same energy and vibe. I honestly feel that Harrison carried this film as perfectly as he carried other 'Indiana Jones' films in the past. With his acting, physical abilities and plain out fun loaded action, he certainly convinced me that he still has what it takes to be 'Indy' not just in this film but a possible 1 or 2 film more. Yup you heard me right. I will get to that point later on.

Now Shia LaBeouf, who is new found star by Spielberg and done all DreamWorks films thus far and coming in two more this fall and next year, was outstanding. I am not sure how this all happened but when I first found out that Shia was to be in 'Indiana Jones', his picture alone just said to me that yes I can see him in 'Indiana Jones' more than a sidekick. Was I right? Maybe time will tell us that. The same sense of humour, energy and skill that Indy had in 'Raiders', Shia has in 'Skull'. And boy what a chemistry he has with Ford. Literary from the scene they meet until towards the end of the film, the chemistry is just more than perfect.

Karen Allen's role was very much like 'Raiders' but more action oriented. And that was required by her role and yes she is the still same old Marion as she was back in the day when most of were under 5 years of age. I am no priest but if I was to chosen to make a decision about marrying Ford and Allen, I would have happily said, Yes.

Ray Winstone and John Hurt also give out amazing performances. I liked Winstone's performance very much, especially his jolly old British accent. They served great purpose to the story and I felt Spielberg had cast them perfectly.

And what can be said about last year's two time Oscar Nominated Cate Blanchet. She once again proved that her career is heading on a rise and will continue to rise. Her performance and action sequences are stupendous. You know the scene in the trailer where she tries to push Ford's jeep over the cliff in the trailer, well that follows a wicked sword fight scene and that must have taken some guts to do considering how and where it was done.

Now on to the crew, summing up Music and Editing, John Williams and Michael Kahn did nothing different from what they did in the first 3 films. Williams had your main 'Indiana Jones' theme as well as theme for this film and didn't do anything new or a different style for 'Kingdom Skull'. As for editing, well I think it's one of the best editing ever done by Kahn for a Spielberg action-adventure based film. Sorry guys but ever since I have been professionally directing and editing, I notice lots of little editing mistakes which may not be his fault necessarily but certainly something that could be avoided. Regardless of all that, his work was clean in this film and should be appreciated.

Janusz Kaminski had a huge task on his hand in creating a cinematic gem that he knew would be compared to old 'Indy' films by critics and fans alike. Although, he very slightly depended on his own style, he blended it so well with traditional 'Indy' films lighting and camera angles, that you can't help but like it. There are some unique shots by him that have never appeared in 'Indy' films which are in the opening, middle and close to the end. Sorry, won't tell you what it is since I have to keep some suspense.

Last but not least, the big man's direction. Steven Spielberg has been given almost a permanent stamp by critics and some fans that he has lost his magical touch. Although I disagree with that very much, I think those people might be ready to change their minds. Spielberg has used the exact same template for the new 'Indiana Jones' film as he did for previous three and limited himself to special effects only where it was needed. I think there were at least 3-4 FX shots that he used from the beginning to almost towards the end of the film. But in the finale, he uses a grand FX sequence not because he wanted to but the story desired it. He brought out some incredible performances from all of his actors and delivered a film that will be loved by almost every fan if not every critic.

On the whole 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystall Skull' stands head to head with 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' for me. That might change one way or another after few more viewings. It is something all of us fans have been waiting for almost half if not all of our life. It has adventure, comedy, action, fx and incredible chemistry and relationship between all of the characters.

In the end, I will close it up by saying that as the film was 15 minutes from being over, I whispered in my wife's ear and told her how the film's last shot will come into play. And without disclosing anything, as the film came to it's last shot, I found myself to be right but then Spielberg pulled that scene away from me by proving me wrong. But I was glad to be wrong. Will or should there be another 'Indiana Jones' film. I would have said big NO two days ago but I don't have anything to say than a big YES now. And yes only if Spielberg directs it and Harrison stars in it.