It's been said already but...

Rating: Null/10 (13 August 2003)

... this really is the best action adventure film since "Raiders of the Lost Ark".
Those were my words as I walked dazzled from the cinema last night, after 143 minutes had fairly flown by. This film has it all:
* Eye candy for the boys (Keira Knightley), and the girls (Bloom, Depp, and Davenport).
* Smart and snappy writing - very British humour, performed by well-known British character actors (and Johnny Depp, of course).
* Direction and cinematography of the highest order. Even the late Sir David Lean would be in love with some of the compositions and camera moves.
* Exceptional effects work. "The Hulk" was meant to be ILM's showcase this summer - but the work here simply blows the "Hairy Shrek" away.
And as I've already mentioned, it sustains interest for nearly two and a half hours. The action sequences in the final act don't drag at all, by virtue of cross cutting between a number of interlinking story strands.
I can't understand why anyone would say it went on too long, because it was such a phenomenal trip.
In closing. I'm an enormous Spielberg fan - but I'd love to see Verbinski helm Indy IV....