May 29, 2008

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Paramount)

Welcome return of the iconic action adventure series — nearly 20 years after the third installment — as the intrepid archaeologist (Harrison Ford still in fine physical fettle) sets out to find and restore a mystical head to its rightful place in Peru assisted by an old flame (Karen Allen), her motorcycle rebel son (Shia LaBeouf), a duplicitous mercenary (Ray Winstone) and a dotty professor (John Hurt), with the Russians led by an icy agent (Cate Blanchett) in hot pursuit. Director Steven Spielberg rousingly captures much of the spirit of the earlier films and the film makes generally unobjectionable viewing for older teens and up. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Disney)

Exciting and well-crafted if less emotionally absorbing follow-up to 2005's "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" has the Pevensie siblings (William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes and Georgie Henley) returning to Narnia to help the title character (Ben Barnes) stage a revolt against his evil uncle. Battlefield violence and deadly hand-to-hand combat, an implied decapitation, a brawl involving schoolchildren, some intense scenes of child peril and several frightening sequences. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

A Previous Engagement (Buccaneer)

A Seattle librarian (Juliet Stevenson), on holiday in Malta with her dull, inattentive husband (Daniel Stern), plans to rendezvous with her suave French lover (Tcheky Karyo) from 25 years earlier. Even allowing for its often farcical structure, writer-director Joan Carr-Wiggin's story, which strives for a light, whimsical tone, never seems remotely grounded in reality as the best comedies should be, the generally capable cast is undermined by dialogue that rarely rings true, and the narrative is marred by a shallow moral tone. Adultery, rough language, crude expressions, the acceptability of premarital sex and divorce, and brief drug use. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is O — morally offensive. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Speed Racer (Warner Bros.)

Overly long and only so-so live-action adventure yarn — based on the 1960s Japanese animated TV series — about a young race car driver (Emile Hirsch) who, with the loving support of his parents (John Goodman and Susan Sarandon) and girlfriend (Christina Ricci), stands up to the corrupt race sponsor (Roger Allam) and other baddies to compete in the race that killed his big brother. The Wachowski brothers, co-writers and directors, employ colorful animated backgrounds, and the positive family values and nice performances are added pluses, but the alternately chaotic and sentimental plotline will be of most interest to diehard fans of the cartoon. Some intense, but not graphic, action violence, some crass language and expressions, and mild profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.