There's no doubt that we have missed Indiana Jones.

In the 19 years since the whip-cracking adventurer was last

seen in cinemas there have been numerous pretenders (most

noticeably the Mummy films starring Brendan Fraser) but all

have been poor substitutes and audiences have pined for a

rollicking action yarn with a roguish hero to match Henry Jones

Jnr.

But although the path is still clear for a triumphant

return, it's been such a long wait that we have begun to

question the sense in a fourth film. After all, Harrison Ford

is now in his mid-60s and more likely to be queueing up for his

pension than another rescue mission.

And does it make sense to attempt to recapture the desire

for such old fashioned thrills when today's CGI movies have

taken high adventure to new levels?

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull manages

to negotiate these tricky obstacles quite comfortably. Ford

looks his age, but it's never a hindrance, and director Steven

Spielberg deploys a few CGI effects to great advantage while

retaining the 1930s serial-style atmosphere that made the films

such a hit in the first place.

Unfortunately, the movie is still a let down.

The long hiatus hasn't just been about a clash in schedules

for Ford, Spielberg and Indy creator George Lucas, it's also

been caused by the rejection of numerous story ideas. And what

eventually flaws this fourth film is that they appear to have

simply run out of ideas. Despite an updating to the 1950s and a

sprightly Cold War paranoia opening that hints at a new

approach, we are soon scuttling around in dusty tombs, meeting

creepy crawlies (scorpions and ants this time) and chasing

after another priceless artefact. “Same old, same old,” says

Indy at one point. Sad but true.

We start in 1957 with Indy and his sidekick Mac (Ray

Winstone) tussling with Soviet spies led by agent Irina Spalko

(Cate Blanchett). After escaping the Communists' clutches our

hero finds himself in a race with the Reds to find the a lost

city of gold deep in the heart of the Amazon jungle. Spalko

needs Indy's skill to find the lost treasure and kidnaps his

old flame Marion (Karen Allen) in order to force his hand.

Her son Mutt (Shia LeBeouf) persuades Indy to come to the

rescue and has information about a mysterious crystal skull

discovered by an eccentric professor (Derbyshire-born John

Hurt).

The script was kept under wraps, even from the crew, which

considering it makes little sense seems nothing but a publicity

stunt. Because it's basically mumbo jumbo and bogged down in

the same mysticism that ruined the three Star Wars

prequels.

It sags alarmingly in the middle and forgets for long

periods that the strength of the first three films were that

they were basically comedies.

There's no spark between Ford and Allen (reprising her role

from Raiders of the Lost Ark) and the age gap banter with

LaBeouf is a poor imitation of the ribald comedy provided by

Henry Jones Senior (Sean Connery) in the Last Crusade.

The final suggestion that the series may continue will make

you groan.

CERTIFICATE: 12A

RUNNING TIME: 122 mins

RATING: Three stars

Review: Nigel Powlson