Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull: The Race With The Devil Cut

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!

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.

This edit does so much to improve the flow of the movie! I enjoyed 90% of the edits made and am happy to have Crystal Skull back in my Indy rotation due to this edit.

This still contains some of the out of place goofiness that is not my personal taste, but most of the interesting parts of the movie overcome that due to excellent editing.

As far as I'm concerned this is the best way to watch this film. It's editing is tight and it moves fast. Did I notice some rough spots in the new edit, yes, but that's only because I've been a professional editor. 99.9% of people watching this wont notice a thing. Does this elevate it above the previous Indiana Jones films? No, it's still the weakest of the bunch, but now it's at least watchable for completists. No more silly grave digger fight, no more monkeys, and the film is just better for it.

Where can I start with this review?

The pacing is vastly improved, and the swinging with the monkeys are gone which is one of my least favorite parts of the original.

To compare, I like to watch the original movie before a fan edit to try and notice all the changes, and I couldn’t.

I can definitively say I have a new go-to version.

I saw it with a person who’d seen the movie once before and they were surprised to learn it was a fan edit.

I do, however, have a few minor complaints that didn’t detract from the overall story.

1. The low environmental audio where Hound Dog was removed in the beginning. Not a big deal at all.

2. Leaving the reaction shot of Mack in after Indiana is slapped by the Russian guy in the original.

To me, the reaction shot didn’t serve a purpose in this new edit.

3. I liked the “I like Ike” joke Indy said in the original.

Other than these 3 small things, it was a fantastic edit.