Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

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