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- Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull: The Race With The Devil Cut
Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull: The Race With The Devil Cut
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Updated
Faneditor Name:
Original Movie Title:
Genre:
Franchise:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
2008
Original Running Time:
122
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
103
Time Cut:
19
Subtitles Available?
Available in HD?
Additional Links:
Brief Synopsis:
A faster paced version of Crystal Skull. Removed a lot of filler and bad dialogue and weird action sequences, but it still remains essentially the same story as the original.
Intention:
I absolutely adore the series overall, but cannot ever bring myself to watch Kingdom of the Crystal skull. But when I forced myself to rewatch it I realised.. the movie has great qualities, but it's bogged down by some.. questionable decisions in the creative process. So I decided to see if I could simply bring it on par with the older movies, and.. I think I mostly succeeded. In my opinion the movie is now about (almost) on par with Temple of Doom, quality wise. Not a masterpiece by any means, but much more entertaining.
TLDR: I made this so people can watch these movies in succession without the fourth installment feeling like a huge deviation from the series' formula.
TLDR: I made this so people can watch these movies in succession without the fourth installment feeling like a huge deviation from the series' formula.
Additional Notes:
UPDATE: As of 12 december there is a new version available. Pm me me for the new link. It has a better transition with the jungle chase sequence and a better ending with no continuity errors! The old link will not work anymore.
There are two alternate opening tracks with the song 'I fought the law' and the original 'Hound Dog' track for purists. Just to spice things up.
Other Sources:
Used the song 'Race with the Devil' for the opening sequence.
Special Thanks:
Special thanks to ArtisDead and Lantern51 for helping me bring the best out of this edit! Also thanks to my lovely fiance for supporting this newfound hobby.
Release Information:
Blu-Ray
Editing Details:
What I did was look at each scene as critical as possible. I notice some people tend to remove almost all humor, but I don't think comedy is a bad thing. I also didn't try to mess with the story line itself too much, just bring it in line with the rest of the series. A lot of people contribute Indiana Jones 4 being bad to for example over the top ants saying: "Ants don't work that way!". That's just being unfair to the franchise. Christianity doesn't work the way it's depected in part one and three either lol and I'm pretty sure the whole 'ripping out living hearts' isnt scientifically accurate either.
Cuts and Additions:
No yellow tint! Perfect HDR!
Every cut is seamless.
Completely new opening track which matches the sequence almost too perfectly!
Nuke scene re-edited to be more believeable.
Indiana Jones starts with less comedy. No Wubbayoos and no mind reading. Also no I like Ike.
Made Mac a more serious villain. 90% less JONESEY!
Removed the aliens untill the very end. There are no CGI Aliens anymore at all. Only skeletons. Still has the UFO, but it turns out the aliens were never the problem with the movie at all. Having only creepy skeletons helps the Indiana Jones vibe though!
Completely re-structured the ending at the temple with the skeletons.
Re-edited the waterfall to be actually visually appealing. Still three waterfalls, but let's be honest this is Indiana Jones. If you like Raiders and Temple of Doom then you should like this.
Re-edited the tree jump with the carboat to be more visually appealing.
No monkeys, completely re-structured the jungle chase. Ok I lied. It has one little background cameo Monkey. NO vine-swinging, though!
Mutt isn't Indiana Jones's son, so the driftsand is removed completely. Because it's a terrible scene in every way. They are trying to escape. why are they constantly shouting? This scene could have been awesome with some better acting can you imagine them going 'omg be quiet indy now grab this snake BY THE HEAD pls'. Removing this also helps the relationship between the Mutt and Indy feel genuine throughout the movie, because it's not muddied by Indy's parenthood.
Removed 50% of the banter between Marion and Indy, completely restructured the banter in the back of the truck. Also changed the dialogue with Marion's introduction to actually have a funny line.
I made John Hurt's character less clowning and an actual sad character.
Removed the blowdart scene in the cemetary, as fun as it was I found it didn't make sense and diminished the scene at the temple with the natives.
The movie is now a healthy one and a half hour! It breezes past!
All of the comedy is re-edited to make you smile. It's not trying to make you laugh. Just smile, that's enough.
I cannot stress this enough but I really enjoy Mutt/Indy's relationship now that the whole 'family' element has been removed.
Every cut is seamless.
Completely new opening track which matches the sequence almost too perfectly!
Nuke scene re-edited to be more believeable.
Indiana Jones starts with less comedy. No Wubbayoos and no mind reading. Also no I like Ike.
Made Mac a more serious villain. 90% less JONESEY!
Removed the aliens untill the very end. There are no CGI Aliens anymore at all. Only skeletons. Still has the UFO, but it turns out the aliens were never the problem with the movie at all. Having only creepy skeletons helps the Indiana Jones vibe though!
Completely re-structured the ending at the temple with the skeletons.
Re-edited the waterfall to be actually visually appealing. Still three waterfalls, but let's be honest this is Indiana Jones. If you like Raiders and Temple of Doom then you should like this.
Re-edited the tree jump with the carboat to be more visually appealing.
No monkeys, completely re-structured the jungle chase. Ok I lied. It has one little background cameo Monkey. NO vine-swinging, though!
Mutt isn't Indiana Jones's son, so the driftsand is removed completely. Because it's a terrible scene in every way. They are trying to escape. why are they constantly shouting? This scene could have been awesome with some better acting can you imagine them going 'omg be quiet indy now grab this snake BY THE HEAD pls'. Removing this also helps the relationship between the Mutt and Indy feel genuine throughout the movie, because it's not muddied by Indy's parenthood.
Removed 50% of the banter between Marion and Indy, completely restructured the banter in the back of the truck. Also changed the dialogue with Marion's introduction to actually have a funny line.
I made John Hurt's character less clowning and an actual sad character.
Removed the blowdart scene in the cemetary, as fun as it was I found it didn't make sense and diminished the scene at the temple with the natives.
The movie is now a healthy one and a half hour! It breezes past!
All of the comedy is re-edited to make you smile. It's not trying to make you laugh. Just smile, that's enough.
I cannot stress this enough but I really enjoy Mutt/Indy's relationship now that the whole 'family' element has been removed.
Trailer
User reviews
24 reviews
Overall rating
9.6
Audio/Video Quality
9.8(24)
Visual Editing
9.6(24)
Audio Editing
9.6(24)
Narrative
9.6(24)
Enjoyment
9.5(24)
(Updated: September 01, 2023)
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
This is 100% the right way to watch this movie! EDIT: Forget everything I said about the nuke and whatnot, DonkeyKonga specifically created a no-nuke edit and it is fantastic! They literally edited physical mouth-movement out of scenes to make the nuke removal work, and I never would have noticed if they hadn't specifically mentioned it. All the other edits are tighter, the story is more fun, and the movie is back on my list of "Indiana Jones films that I'll show my kids one day"!
Great, great work, and this is a 10/10 edit for me now.
Highly recommended, and DonkeyKonga Forever!
Great, great work, and this is a 10/10 edit for me now.
Highly recommended, and DonkeyKonga Forever!
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
J
Overall rating
9.3
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
9.0
Audio Editing
9.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
9.0
I saw CRYSTAL SKULL in theaters and, like many, was pretty disappointed. I remember rewatching the trilogy around 2011 and I thought I'd give the movie another chance. Unfortunately, I was bored out of my mind. I hadn't rewatched it since, but with DIAL OF DESTINY around the corner, I thought I'd give it one last chance with one of the many fanedits available.
I'm pleased to say that--shockingly--this was a much more enjoyable experence! The scenes removed help the pacing tremendously and the new HDR grade (from the latest 4K release) does wonders to make it feel closer to the original untouchable three movies.
The edits are for the most part flawless, aside from two moments where I found the removal of dialogue made the result a bit choppy or awkward (when Indy escapes the truck and the very end on top of the flooded temple). Nevertheless, I'm glad I chose this fanedit for what will most likely be my last time watching CRYSTAL SKULL (and I also recommended it to a friend).
I'm pleased to say that--shockingly--this was a much more enjoyable experence! The scenes removed help the pacing tremendously and the new HDR grade (from the latest 4K release) does wonders to make it feel closer to the original untouchable three movies.
The edits are for the most part flawless, aside from two moments where I found the removal of dialogue made the result a bit choppy or awkward (when Indy escapes the truck and the very end on top of the flooded temple). Nevertheless, I'm glad I chose this fanedit for what will most likely be my last time watching CRYSTAL SKULL (and I also recommended it to a friend).
T
Overall rating
9.8
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
9.0
Audio Editing
9.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
I watched Crystal Skull at the cinema and was fairly disappointed - I thought the theme of Roswell/McCarthy Red Scare Era was appropriate but there was far too much silliness throughout the film.
Thankfully this edit cuts all the bits I didn’t like and has generally tightened up the entire movie - it now scoots along like one of the original trilogy, and it’s gone from a film I was never going to watch again to one that I have watched (and enjoyed) twice now.
The editing is almost flawless and I think a first time viewer would be hard-pressed to see the joins if they’d never watched the original. My only two “hmmmm” moments are at the tail end of the CIA interview where Indy asks what he is being accused of - his looking up just before the agents say he is a person of interest doesn’t match the previous shot - and the jungle car chase just prior to the crash - two vehicles swap positions and Mutt suddenly appears in a vehicle footwell - it’s a minor thing and much more preferable to CGI monkey vine swinging!
Having recently watched the Dial of Destiny, I think this edit still works with regards to Mutt & Indy - although all explicit mentions of parentage have been removed, by the end of the film it’s obvious that Indy has a strong bond with Mutt and what he says in the fifth film still makes sense.
Great edit, and one that I will be showing to a few friends who didn’t like the theatrical release - I’m glad I gave the film a second chance curtesy of DonkeyKonga, and I hope it works for my friends too!
(Watched using Quest 2 virtual cinema app “Skybox VR Player”)
Thankfully this edit cuts all the bits I didn’t like and has generally tightened up the entire movie - it now scoots along like one of the original trilogy, and it’s gone from a film I was never going to watch again to one that I have watched (and enjoyed) twice now.
The editing is almost flawless and I think a first time viewer would be hard-pressed to see the joins if they’d never watched the original. My only two “hmmmm” moments are at the tail end of the CIA interview where Indy asks what he is being accused of - his looking up just before the agents say he is a person of interest doesn’t match the previous shot - and the jungle car chase just prior to the crash - two vehicles swap positions and Mutt suddenly appears in a vehicle footwell - it’s a minor thing and much more preferable to CGI monkey vine swinging!
Having recently watched the Dial of Destiny, I think this edit still works with regards to Mutt & Indy - although all explicit mentions of parentage have been removed, by the end of the film it’s obvious that Indy has a strong bond with Mutt and what he says in the fifth film still makes sense.
Great edit, and one that I will be showing to a few friends who didn’t like the theatrical release - I’m glad I gave the film a second chance curtesy of DonkeyKonga, and I hope it works for my friends too!
(Watched using Quest 2 virtual cinema app “Skybox VR Player”)
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
A
(Updated: July 08, 2023)
Overall rating
9.4
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Audio Editing
9.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
9.0
So, where to start.
Perhaps at the beginning, as I still remember the disappointment when I left the cinema after watching (what was then) Indy's last outing. There were some good moments (it is Spielberg, after all), but most of it was really, really bad. I'll spare you all the details, as I know you all know it. For years I have been searching for a good fan edit, and I think I've found one!
To start with, the color grading change means the world. As the movie now looks like the Indiana Jones of old.
The cuts are also well done, from trimming the fridge scene (no, it cannot be avoided), Mack's triple agent nonsense, to most jarring of all, cutting all Mutt's escapades in the jungle (goodbye vines jumping, goodbye monkeys). I am a bit bummed that Mutt being Indy's son, is removed. Had no issues with that one. And that there are fewer Marion scenes. (well, I like the actress and the chemistry between the two). But in the chat with the editor, I realized that keeping this subplot would entail snake rope, so no, good riddance.
All in all, this edit is almost perfect, and it really makes the story flow more naturally; it keeps a degree of campiness but removes virtually all of the nonsense. Now it is actually a pleasure to watch the movie! And that s the highest compliment I can give.
From now on, every time I re-watch the original trilogy, I will re-watch this version. Hopefully, Donkey Konga will make a fan edit for Indy 5, as it desperately needs it.
Warmly recommending it to all Indy fans!
Perhaps at the beginning, as I still remember the disappointment when I left the cinema after watching (what was then) Indy's last outing. There were some good moments (it is Spielberg, after all), but most of it was really, really bad. I'll spare you all the details, as I know you all know it. For years I have been searching for a good fan edit, and I think I've found one!
To start with, the color grading change means the world. As the movie now looks like the Indiana Jones of old.
The cuts are also well done, from trimming the fridge scene (no, it cannot be avoided), Mack's triple agent nonsense, to most jarring of all, cutting all Mutt's escapades in the jungle (goodbye vines jumping, goodbye monkeys). I am a bit bummed that Mutt being Indy's son, is removed. Had no issues with that one. And that there are fewer Marion scenes. (well, I like the actress and the chemistry between the two). But in the chat with the editor, I realized that keeping this subplot would entail snake rope, so no, good riddance.
All in all, this edit is almost perfect, and it really makes the story flow more naturally; it keeps a degree of campiness but removes virtually all of the nonsense. Now it is actually a pleasure to watch the movie! And that s the highest compliment I can give.
From now on, every time I re-watch the original trilogy, I will re-watch this version. Hopefully, Donkey Konga will make a fan edit for Indy 5, as it desperately needs it.
Warmly recommending it to all Indy fans!
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
A
(Updated: July 03, 2023)
Overall rating
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
9.0
The first thing I noticed as this started is how much it LOOKS like an Indiana Jones movie. The color timing on the original always bugged me and the couple other fanedits I watched before this never quite fixed it for me. DonkeyKonga mentions taking out the yellow tint, but I thought the whole film had a very pleasing golden hue to it, much like the original films do. Whatever he did, I say bravo.
I most appreciate that DonkeyKonga doesn't try to twist the movie into something that it's not. It felt like he eliminated what he could where he could, but not at the cost of derailing the main story. The fridge is still there. So are the fire ants. And the swashbuckling across the cars. But with a few trims these scenes are not quite as obnoxious. (I'm actually very pro 'Nuke the Fridge'. There's a lot wrong with the original 'Crystal Skull', but I found that moment pretty inspired.)
One thing I was a little unsure about while watching this was how DK handled Mutt's relationship to Indy - not that I really want the kid to be the hero's son, there are just so many hints at it still present throughout the edit. I want to justify them by saying the original also played the "is he, or isn't he" game, just with a different conclusion. By the end I kind of like how the edit definitively says, "No, Mutt is not Indy's son" and just when you think he's going to take up the fedora, Indy snatches it away. That moment plays a little bit funnier here than in the theatrical cut because of what we (don't) know.
For all his hard work (and I'm very grateful) the editor has proven that rather than being a BAD Indiana Jones movie, 'Crystal Skull' can actually be an okay Indiana Jones movie. The worst CGI offenses are 9one (goodbye monkeys!) but it's still a film that leans way too heavily on obvious digital effects for my taste. (Say what you want about 'Dial of Destiny', but at least it doesn't look this artificial most of the time). Having watched a few 'Crystal Skull' edits, I can definitely say this will be my go-to version of the film going forward.
I most appreciate that DonkeyKonga doesn't try to twist the movie into something that it's not. It felt like he eliminated what he could where he could, but not at the cost of derailing the main story. The fridge is still there. So are the fire ants. And the swashbuckling across the cars. But with a few trims these scenes are not quite as obnoxious. (I'm actually very pro 'Nuke the Fridge'. There's a lot wrong with the original 'Crystal Skull', but I found that moment pretty inspired.)
One thing I was a little unsure about while watching this was how DK handled Mutt's relationship to Indy - not that I really want the kid to be the hero's son, there are just so many hints at it still present throughout the edit. I want to justify them by saying the original also played the "is he, or isn't he" game, just with a different conclusion. By the end I kind of like how the edit definitively says, "No, Mutt is not Indy's son" and just when you think he's going to take up the fedora, Indy snatches it away. That moment plays a little bit funnier here than in the theatrical cut because of what we (don't) know.
For all his hard work (and I'm very grateful) the editor has proven that rather than being a BAD Indiana Jones movie, 'Crystal Skull' can actually be an okay Indiana Jones movie. The worst CGI offenses are 9one (goodbye monkeys!) but it's still a film that leans way too heavily on obvious digital effects for my taste. (Say what you want about 'Dial of Destiny', but at least it doesn't look this artificial most of the time). Having watched a few 'Crystal Skull' edits, I can definitely say this will be my go-to version of the film going forward.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
S