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Ford Won't Read 'Indy' Reviews

By MIKE COLLETT-WHITE, Reuters
Posted: 2008-05-19 16:00:46
Filed Under: Movie News
CANNES, France (May 19) - Good or bad, U.S. actor Harrison Ford says he won't be reading reviews of the new Indiana Jones movie, which divided the Cannes film festival's notoriously picky critics.

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" made its world premiere at the annual festival Sunday, and initial reaction was mostly positive.

But with a little more time to reflect on a blockbuster that cost an estimated $185 million to produce, the reviews have grown decidedly more mixed.

"I suppose it would be interesting, but I don't read reviews," Ford told Reuters in an interview to promote the film.

"I don't want to believe the bad stuff, and I don't want to believe the good stuff. It doesn't really matter," added Ford, who reprises probably his most famous on-screen role as the whip-wielding archaeologist at the age of 65.

In "Crystal Skull," he teams up again with Karen Allen, his co-star from the first Indiana Jones film in 1981.

They pair up this time against an evil KGB agent, played by Australia's Cate Blanchett, who is seeking to harness the power of a skull that leads them on a high-octane adventure ending with a dramatic encounter with extra-terrestrials.

'Indiana Jones' Quiz

What's the first name of archeology prof/adventurer "Indiana" Jones?

  • Andy
  • Ebekenezer
  • Henry
  • Montana

How much older in real life is Henry Sr. (Connery) than Jr. (Ford)?

  • They're the same age
  • 5 years older
  • 12 years older
  • 17 years older

In terms of the story line, what's the order of the first three 'Indy' films?

  • 'Temple of Doom,' 'Raiders,' 'Last Crusade'
  • 'Raiders,' 'Last Crusade,' 'Temple of Doom
  • 'Last Crusade,' 'Temple of Doom,' 'Raiders'
  • 'Temple of Doom,' 'Last Crusade,' 'Raiders'

The first three 'Indy' flicks made more money than which country's '07 GNP?

  • East Timor
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Portugal
  • Tunisia

Whose idea was it for Indy to shoot his swashbuckling rival in 'Raiders'?

  • Director Steven Spielberg
  • Screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan
  • Star Harrison Ford
  • Story writer George Lucas

John Rhys-Davies played Sallah in 'Raiders.' Who else was up for the role?

  • Andre the Giant
  • Danny DeVito
  • Anthony Daniels
  • Paul Williams

What was the original title of 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom'?

  • 'Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull'
  • 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Death'
  • 'Keeping Up With the Joneses'
  • 'Raiders Redux'

In 'Doom,' which dessert killed Willie's (Kate Capshaw) appetite?

  • Butterscotch bugs
  • Roasted rhino eyeballs
  • Leeches con leche
  • Chilled monkey brains

In 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,' which actor played young Indy?

  • Ben Affleck
  • Sean Patrick Flanery
  • Neil Patrick Harris
  • River Phoenix

For the zeppelin scene in 'Crusade,' what did Ford and Connery do without?

  • The director -- a foot-switch triggered the camera
  • Their pants -- it was too darned hot
  • A script -- they improvised
  • A set -- the whole thing was green-screened

Which prank occurred on the 'Doom' set while Indy was chained to a rock?

  • Barbra Streisand dressed as a dominatrix and whipped Indy
  • Richard Simmons came out to lead Indy in calisthenics
  • Tom Selleck showed up in Indy costume to take Ford's place
  • Wrestler Hulk Hogan proceeded to mock-pummel the helpless Indy

Indy is deathly afraid of snakes, but what vermin does his dad most fear?

  • Leeches
  • Rats
  • Spiders
  • Hollywood agents

What ailment vexed Harrison Ford during 'Temple of Doom'?

  • Broke collarbone tumbling from truck in chase scene
  • Suffered a concussion falling through a trap door
  • Wrecked his rotator cuff swinging from a vine
  • Ruptured a disk in his back riding elephants

What's the name of the Shanghai club where Willie Scott sang in 'Temple'?

  • Club Obi-Wan
  • Doom After Dark
  • Sam's Club
  • Shanghai Surprise

What treasure was Indiana Jones chasing in 'The Temple of Doom'?

  • The Ark of the Covenant
  • The Cross of Arnaz
  • Dead Sea Scrolls
  • Sacred Sankara Stones
Reviews appearing on the Internet within minutes of the end of the press screening at Cannes were largely favorable. Several, though, have since questioned the wisdom of resurrecting a successful franchise that last hit the screens 19 years ago.

"There's a reason the previous Indy film was called 'The Last Crusade,"' wrote David Gritten of the Daily Telegraph. "Now it's ... time to entomb this elderly series once and for all."

'KICK YOUR BUTT'

Cannes, a major showcase of independent filmmaking that also thrives on the star power Hollywood brings, has a fearsome reputation among actors and directors.

"They can kick your butt here, and will if they're not happy with the movie, so I think we got a pretty good reception," Ford said, referring to the world premiere screening.

Blanchett added that the movie's director, Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg, was not immune to negative reaction.

"Steven was wanting to throw up before he went into the press conference he was so nervous about the response, and I think it's because he cares," she told Reuters.

For Ford, the reaction of the moviegoer, not the critic, matters most.

"It's the people who pay to get in, and whether they are getting satisfaction for their dollars spent," he said.

Even critics underwhelmed by the latest Indiana Jones venture conceded that it would make little difference in terms of box office, which they predicted would be strong.

Distributor Paramount Pictures surely would have preferred more unanimous praise for one of this year's most anticipated movies, but the studio also was likely to be breathing a sigh of relief that it avoided the critical mauling suffered by another high-profile premiere at Cannes.

"The Da Vinci Code" was universally loathed in 2006, and while it went on to gross an estimated $760 million at the global box office, it was an uncomfortable opening.

Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-05-19 15:49:32
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17 comments

mwal600440 12:13:29 AM May 23 2008

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My son and I really liked the movie - lots of action - good chase scenes, sword fighting, scary bugs, a few good funny scenes - we were definitely not disappointed - Indy still has 'it'!!!!!!

jfrank5317 11:18:17 PM May 22 2008

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I saw it this evening with the Mrs......ho-hum movie. Even with Shia LeBouf, it was, overall, a yawner. The previous three were much better, in terms of dialogue AND action. This one even ended rather anti-clamactically. Kind of wish we had gone to see "Narnia" which was playing on one of the other screens at the cinema we attended.

rsttho557949 05:14:37 PM May 20 2008

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What is tragic is why George Lucas waits so long to keep his stories from the public. There should ahve been at least 6 or 7 Indy movie by now. Look how many "Jason" movie were made. The public loves them. If i were a Hollywood exec, I would have kept making them till the well went dry. it is afact that Hitler was after religious relics and there was no love loss for the Nazi's. There was plenty of material to give Indy plenty of adventures as he took his turn in saving the earth from evil.

I wish they'd give me a shot to promote my story for Hollywood. Most of the stuff they are rehasing is junk and was junk from the beginning.

mgri923274 04:33:04 PM May 20 2008

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I've been looking forward to this movie since I forst heard the rumor that it was going to be made. I'm certain I will not be disappointed. As for the critics, they're entitled to their opinion, but will not influence mine.

karen034 03:42:59 PM May 20 2008

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can't wait to see it just love Indiana Jones

sp600 12:20:53 PM May 20 2008

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Film critics who needs them. No one other than yourself can judge a film. Every person is different. Film Critics need to get a real JOB!!!!!

pierceofamboy 12:18:06 PM May 20 2008

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I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE MOVIE--THEN PURCHASE THE DVD---CAUSE I HAVE THE ENTIRE COLLECTION OF INDI MOVIES--WHAT A BLAST TO WATCH ON BLU RAY--HD 52 INCH PLASMA TV--AND IN SURROUND SOUND--LOVE YOU HARRISON FORD YOU ARE THE BEST

rexferyl 10:47:22 AM May 20 2008

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Let the Cannes film critics say what they will. Indy rules and people will flock to the new movie in droves. Why ? Because Indy movies are great action movies not boring, all talk, no action, character study films dealing with touchy feely emotions.

corene72039 10:44:14 AM May 20 2008

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I can't wait to see it. The others were great, bet this one will be too.... the skulls really do exist. I saw a show on them a couple of nights ago.

tnipnad 10:13:32 AM May 20 2008

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INDY, take the left tunnel..THE LEFT TUNNEL!

slydemcgee 10:04:52 AM May 20 2008

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I CANT WAIT TO SEE THE MOVIE TOO, THE CRYSTALS SKULLS ARE TRULY THE MOST AWESOME ARTIFACTS EVER FOUND

shmookie7 05:13:40 AM May 20 2008

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I agree w/ stallion and srkaficionada... def can't wait to see it... you just know that the ones dissin without having seen are ppl who DIDN'T grow up with Indy... and therefore don't understand how long we've been waiting.
Am I expecting the best movie ever: No, once you've waited 20yrs for a movie your expectations most likely won't be reached. Accept it and move on... It'll still be a kick ass movie though!

stallion44107 03:42:58 AM May 20 2008

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see it.....THEN comment on it.

srkaficionada 01:26:25 AM May 20 2008

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I was brought up on these old movies. The Temple of doom which was made a year before I was born is my absolute favorite! It's kinda sad they waited 25 yrs bfore doing this but I hope it's good.
This is one movie I will wait in line for besides the Harry Potter movies!
Old men are hot!

TBIRD57W 11:37:27 PM May 19 2008

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rocky,rambo,indiana....please NO MORE!

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