topdawg193

You know, you could be right - I didn't know what the hell it was supposed to be, but I heard a lot of people saying it was supposed to show her telepathic power. The more I think about it, an electrical charge planted by the soldiers does make more sense, lol - maybe it's the suddeness and the Russian-talking that's throwing me off :S

Having re-watched the opening of KOTCS, I was thinking of possible cuts that could be made to quicken the pace and also remove some dubious elements from the film's start.

- When Spalko walks up to Indy, after she asks 'where were they found' and is told 'they were found in Mexico, digging in the dirt', and after she walks up to Indy, it should cut to her holding out her hand and introducing herself to him. This would eliminate Indy's 'you're not from around here, are you?' line, which seems totally superflous after Indy's first line in the film was '...Russians', so he's obviously established prior to this that they're 'not from around here', and so has the audience. Also, the delivery of his 'from the way you're sticking your teeth into your...etc.' line seems strange, and very out of character.

- Spalko's mind-reading and telepathically-opening-the-warehouse-door should also be cut. Spalko should still point at Indy's head and say 'what I do not know, is in here *indicating Indy's forehead*', and then after she delivers this line, it should cut to her saying 'so, we will do this, what is the expression, the old fashioned way?'. This would still make sense in terms of continuity, and could flow well. And could Indy's cross-eyedness when Spalko points at his head be removed somehow, but the head-pointing remain intact?

As for her telepathically-opening the warehouse door, she should still raise her hand and say 'Dabei!', but immediately after this it should cut to the interior shot of the warehouse, with its doors opening. This way, it looks like Spalko gave an order for the doors to be opened, and the sparks flying out of the control box, signifying that she was using some sort of mental power, would be cut here.

- Jones1899 raised a very good point about how to cut the gun-powder segment, which I think should be implemented. After Indy asks for a compass, and then for bullets, he approaches Spalko and explains that the contents of the box are highly magnetised, he needs gun powder, and asks whether she wants his help or not. This dialogue should remain, but could the part about needing gun powder be cut from Indy's speech here? The speech is still required I think, to establish what is going on. After this dialogue is delivered, it should cut straight to Indy receiving the shotgun shells from the Russian soldier.

I can't envision any other cuts that could be carried out which would maintain pace and continuity. Also, I have never asked, but is it actually technologically feasable to add in the missing nozzle-flash at the start of the film (the Russian soldier on screen-right, as Dovchenko bends down to tie his shoe, is missing a nozzle flash - as is Spalko during the jungle chase, for that matter, just as it cuts back to her after she has shot at Indy/Marion/Mutt's jeep) and also to change the counter effect during the rocket sled sequene?

That's everything I can spot in the opening! Am I missing anything?

Nice editing skills cyclades, but I think I prefer Indy being tossed out of the car second. Editing this sequence seems too clunky, and Mac being brought out of the car second weakens Indy's full reveal.

Plus, I don't think Indy being brought out of the car second diminishes his bad-ass-ness at all - it doesn't logically mean that he was captured first; Indy could have been captured second, and Mac first, but when they were brought to the car, the Russians decided to put Indy in the car first. Maybe they did this at a whim, or maybe they did it to get Indy in the car quickly, so he wouldn't be a threat, or so that Mac would be on top of him to prevent him from escaping from the car. And before Indy is even brought out of the car, after his hat is tossed out, a ring of Russian soldiers surround the car; so we clearly know that some bad ass dude is in there, about to be brought out. This is creating tension and drama, and this is why it seems to make movie sense to have Indy brought out last - building up suspense, leaving the best till last, and making the audience wonder where Indy is up until resolution is brought about with his hat being tossed on the gound by a Russian soldier.

That's looking at this in way too much detail I'm sure :S ! But I definitely never paid this short segment that much thought before, and I don't think it requires a re-edit; the original take on this scene is logically sound and flows well.

Yeah, 'Part time' sounds much grittier and more Indy-like in the trailer as well, so it'd be great if this line could be swapped into the edit.

Laserschwert said:

...him being second at least means, that he had been thrown in first :-P

^ Lol, good point!

Yeah, I agree - I was fine with Indy being thrown out of the car second. Builds up suspense - at this point, we're a good few minutes into the film and Indy is no where in sight, and we're wondering where he is, and even when Mac is thrown out of the car, we're still not 100% sure, until they surprisingly go back and throw out the hat from the car, and then we know what's coming next, and sure enough Indy is revealed, and we get resolution.

Lol, you must be some sort of wizard Laser. It's the only explanation.

Man, with that new establishing shot and the digital soldiers/truck and all, the sequence will flow perfectly!

Hmmm, the trailers/adverts seem like a good source to plunder - some of the alternate takes on scenes (such as the delivery of lines - 'Not as easy as it used to be' and 'Part time' for example) seem to be better in the trailers for some reason; maybe more could be incorporated from them, and the TV spots and such like?

On the waterfall scene, how possible would it be to remove the actual sight of the tree under the jeep as it goes off the cliff? Not a big problem because of the new editing, but could it be removed entirely? In the looking-down-from-above perspective shot of the jeep just as it goes over the cliff - could the tree below the jeep here be replaced with water, so it looks as if there is nothing below the jeep except from the river below - and also in the looking-up-at-the-jeep perspective shot as it is hanging in the air, there are leaves from the tree visible on screen right; could these be digitally removed too?

Damn that wonky CG tree! Tear it outta the film from its roots!

For the Wampa cave scene, I think that all the SE shots should be removed (but something should be done about the movement of the Wampa when we see it briefly move past the cave wall in the GOUT; too puppet-like/fake) APART from the very last SE Wampa shot after Luke slices its arm off, as it presents a nice pay off after the intrigue and suspense and build up in the cave - brings about resolution. By keeping in the last SE shot, we have the best of both worlds, and the scene contains balance (introduction, build-up/development, conclusion).

And I can't wait to see all the Wampa shots unified so that it actually looks like the one and the same creature - Adywan's CG horns that he added to the initial Wampa scene outside of the cave looked great, I thought.

Also, something which I haven't really seen mentioned, but is Adywan planning on fixing the motion of Luke's X-Wing as Yoda force-levitates it out of the swamp and onto the ground? When we see the nose of the X-Wing touch down, just as Luke pats it with his hand, it looks very much like someone off screen just plopped down a big plastic prop - maybe if the nose buckled, dropped a little and then raised again, it wouldn't look so fake.

Lol, I think we've found the film's new name - Indiana Jones and the Big Bang. Captures the film perfectly ;)

Neat editing again Laser - I think the perfect edit of this sequence is within reach!

I was just wondering, would it be possible to give a little more time to Spalko's closeup? It seemed to last longer in the last edit you did, and feel more fluid. Also, when they go over the second fall, how would it be to cut the shot of the jeep-actually-emerging from the water completely, and instead cut straight to the shot where the jeep is floating on top of the water and the gang are climbing back into it? The cut from the-jeep-actually-emerging to the-gang-climbing-back-into-the-jeep felt like a big jump.

I also wondered if Indy's 'put it in reverse, put it in reverse!' dialogue could be used in the edit - maybe place it over the birds-eye perspective shot of the jeep about to go over the last fall, or else over the behind-the-jeep perspective shot when they are at the edge of the last fall? The behind-the-jeep perspective shot may be the best choice, as we are physically closer to the jeep here. The line always made me grin, and felt like classic Indy humour; it'd be a shame to cut it out completely.

Some editing chops man - if people who hadn't seen KOTCS saw your edit first, they'd be none the wiser that that infernal elastic-tree-limb ever existed!

^ Agreed - the colour correction pics Laser posted on Page 1 looked straight out of the Temple of Doom jungle scenes; much grittier, the skin tones looked great, and made the film match the other three, visually. Wth the purging of all the CG-tastic sequences, KOTCS should hopefully fit neatly with the other films in terms of style.

Very nice edit Laser, and we still get the surprise of another fall! Of course it'd mean having to cut the 'three times it drops' dialogue of Ox at the camp site, but if the waterfall scene HAD to be cut, then I guess this is a clever way of doing it. Though I'm still an advocate of having the three drops just edited closer together!

One thing I wonder could be done to this edit, is matching up the scene where they go off the cliff to the next scene when they're in the water. We still see the branch below them just as they are going off the cliff, so could this be digitally removed? And seeing as in the next scene, it cut to them after the second waterfall drop with a waterfall behind them, could a waterfall be established at screen right just as they are going off the cliff? Then, could the scene after they go off the cliff be brightened, with them at the foot of a waterfall, so that it matches up more with when they went off the cliff?

Or is that all just crazy gibberish :S ?

I always preferred the US working title, 'Indiana Jones and the City of the Gods'. Like 'Temple of Doom', it refers to the key destination of the film without fully revealing it in the title (as 'Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' does). Also, it doesn't give away the McGuffin of the film in the title (as 'Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull' does) and is not unwieldly, and easy to remember - 'City' and 'Gods' are terms we know and understand, and can latch onto. 'Crystal Skull' is a bit out there, and probably why 'Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' doesn't work (although I suspect this title is more in line with the B-Movie Sci Fi film vibe they were going for).

This could also be shortened further if desired, by omitting the 'the', so that it is just 'Indiana Jones and the City of Gods'

Nice ideas jones1899, and good edit jedi. The mutt vs. irina duel was fantastic and flawlessly edited. The entire removal of the monkey scene was also handled well (when it cuts to the in-the-trees-looking-down-at-jeeps-going-by perspective, it'd be good to eliminate the monkey sound effects which play here). Would have liked to have seen Mutt's 'wow' after he jumps into Indy's jeep retained, as it felt weird for Indy to suddenly say 'wow' like that. It would also make the joke at this part work ('wow...wow...WOW!'). Also, Indy's removed line of 'find something to fight with' felt a bit jarring.

Interesting take on the waterfalls, but I think I'd still rather the '3 times it drops' dialogue kept, and the 3 waterfalls edited together, so it seems as though the drops are immediately after the other/in very close proximity of each other.

But top stuff!

Also, on the topic of the DVD menu for the edit, would it be a good idea to create a menu in the vain of the DVD menus from the original Indy trilogy DVD boxet (the first one released)? Again to tie this film to the original three movies and make the series more stream lined. A rough idea of what I have in mind can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG56_1cKO00

This is a possible definitive list of suggestions for this film, which I think represents the majority of the suggestions put forward by those who have contributed on this thread (jones1899 - I tried to PM you this list, but when I checked my sent items I realise that it is too large to send :S).

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Fan Edit Suggestions – Definitive List

1.)  Aside from the CG Gopher/Prairie Dog which opens the movie, the other two scenes in which they feature should be cut/trimmed to remove the creatures from the film.

When Indy and the Russian Heavy ride on the rocket sled, there is a scene of the critters following the sled's movement which could be removed entirely, and when Indy raises from the ground after rolling out of the fridge, there is a quick shot of a gopher/prairie dog which could be trimmed/edited out or else have the critter digitally removed from the shot.

2.) The gopher at the start of the movie, just before it scampers from its mound, makes a cheesy, comic, kiddy noise which could be removed.

3.) This small scene could also be trimmed/quickened.

 So that the paramount logo fades to the mound, the gopher is revealed and then it very quickly scampers away without the sound effect, as opposed to it glancing around first.

4.) When the Russians shoot the Area 51 guards, there is a muzzle-flash (that is, the visual flash that appears at the gun snout when it is being fired) missing, which should be added back in.

When the big Russian guy bends down to tie his shoe, the Russian soldier on screen right, who is standing up, at this point is clearly firing his gun and yet there is no visual flash to indicate this.

5.) There is a continuity error with Mac's arms when Indy and he are first revealed.

Before Indy tells the big Russian to 'drop dead', Mac's arms are down by his side. Yet, as the Russian punches Indy, it cuts to a far-away perspective shot in which Mac's arms are miraculously raised again, seemingly at lightning, in-human speed. Immediately after this shot, his arms are lowered. So, editing Mac's arms to be down by his side is required during the far-away perspective shot of Indy being punched by the big Russian.

6.) Spalko’s mind-reading and telekinetically opening the warehouse door should be cut.

While her interest in the paranormal is developed in the film, her psychic abilities are never developed beyond her first scene, so this could be cut. Have her shout: 'dabi' or whatever it is in Russian, and raise her hand, but then cut to the interior shot of the warehouse with the door opening, and omit the sparks flying out of the control box.

7.) Gun-powder segment could be minimally trimmed to move things along a bit faster.

There is only one foreseeable cut that I can find that would quicken the pace. After Indy climbs up on the boxes to throw the gunpowder for the first time (with Spalko saying 'don't toy with me, Dr. Jones, what is the point of all this?'), in the next scene there is a close-up of Russian soldiers pouring their grenade-powder into a helmet for Indy. After this close-up, there is a panning-down shot of Indy and the guards walking. This is the shot that could be shortened, so that instead of panning-down to watch them walk the full length from a corner to the point where Indy throws the gun-powder, the scene of them walking is cut into where they're halfway across the floor, or even three quarters of the way across the floor.

8.) Cut the ‘Damn, thought that was closer line’ ONLY if a suitable Indy-Expression can be substituted in its place.

I don't think any cut could be done of the line, based on what we have in the film. It would require digital tinkering to get Indy to spare a glance/change Indy's face/head movement to create the classic Indy-look of 'Oh, greaaaat...’. This edit is not a high priority.

9.) The style of the Countdown Timer during the activation of the Rocket Sled sequence should be changed. Also change/alter the Countdown Sound Effect – the ‘beep’ is too sci-fi/un-Indy.

During the warehouse action scene, Indy falls down with the big Russian into the rocket sled hangar, and at some point during this set piece a timer is activated for the Rocket Sled. The timer itself is composed of red LED numbers which jar considerably with the period setting of the film, and also with the imagery of all the Indy films in general. Am I not right in saying that such a display wouldn't even have been available at this time, in 1957?

This display should be changed from to

The black-and-white numbers on rotating plates is far more in line with the technology which would have been available at that point, and would look more Indiana Jones-y as well.

And, if the timer’s visual display is to be changed to rotating plates instead of a digital display, the electronic ‘beep’ could either be replaced entirely with a more ‘click’ like sound effect, or else add a ‘click’ sound over the ‘beep’ sound.

10.) Cut Indy yelling ‘Oh, sure, don’t wait for me!’ at Russians’ car (ONLY if feasible and ONLY if it wouldn’t cause continuity error).

This would require clever editing to make it work seamlessly and without continuity error. We could have Indy running to the pavement as the car drives away past him, with him shouting 'wait, wait, wait!', but we couldn't have him run out onto the road as it would be impossible to cut the line from the scene due to his facial and body movements. Instead, we would have to cut from him at the pavement, after yelling 'wait, wait, wait!', to about halfway through the scene after he yells 'sure, great, don't wait for me!' on the road (the far-away perspective scene of Indy running into the house; the reason I say we would have to cut from Indy-at-the-pavement to halfway through this scene is because this scene has Indy running from the road, to the pavement, to the house. We would have to have Indy just running from the pavement to the house in this scene).

11.) The fridge scene should NOT be cut entirely, but it could be trimmed.

1. Indy hides in the fridge.
2 The nuclear bomb hits the site, and we see the destruction ensue.
3. We see the shockwave engulf the Russian's car, but all sight of the flying fridge is removed at this point.
4. After this, we then see the flying fridge, but the scene is darkened/hazy, with camera shake(s), and shortened, so we get a hectic glimpse of Indy's flight in the fridge.
5. Part 4 could end with a flash of white, and then we cut to the fridge door opening and Indy slumping out onto the hill, before walking up to gaze at the mushroom cloud (an iconic scene, in my opinion). Notice that shots of the fridge landing and rolling down the hill are cut here.

12.) When Indy hides in the fridge, there is a box to the top right inside the fridge (that's screen top-right inside the fridge). But when Indy emerges from the fridge after the blast, the box is gone. This should be fixed.

13.) Replace photos of Marcus and Henry Sr. on Indy’s desk with more natural photos.

The photos in KOTCS are obviously screen caps from the previous film. If more natural shots of Marcus and Indy's dad existed, it would be good if they could be inserted here. I've been told that there is a quick shot of a digitally-created photo with Sean Connery and River Phoenix as a young Indy. This seems to be a more natural photo of Indy's dad which could possibly replace the mug shot of Connery, prominent on the desk. Another possibility is a picture of a younger Connery and the kid from the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. Photoshop could be used to create such digitally created photos for this purpose.

Possible photos:

14.) When Indy and Mutt go to Peru, after Indy talks with the locals, Indy and Mutt start walking down the street, and Mutt puts his hands in his pocket. As Mutt says 'where did you learn that one', he takes his screen right hand out of his pocket, only to put it back in again. It looks awkward and is very distracting, and should be edited so that Mutt's hand remains in his pocket.

15.) In the establishing shot of the cemetery, the Nazca Lines should be made more prominent/clear.

16.) In the cemetery scene, when Indy blows the dart back down the tube and into the attacker's mouth, the attacker dies in a childish way, complete with comic 'oooh!' noise which manages to escape his mouth before he dies. This quick scene should have that sound effect edited out, and be even quicker/more brief.

17.) Also in the cemetery scene, Indy pulls his gun out on one of the attackers who is fighting with Mutt. Mutt and the attacker should be digitally re-arranged, so that when Indy draws his gun, he should fire to hit the attacker, but miss, and the attacker, seeing and hearing the gun shot, then runs off.

The nozzle flash and gunshot sound effect should be added to Indy's gun here. Indy doesn't once shoot his gun in the movie (a first for an Indy film) and it'd be good to see him fire a shot off.

18.) Carefully trim Indy’s head spasms.

I can't think of how they could be cut without it being messy and causing continuity problems - Mac tells Spalko to stop, and Spalko does indeed stop, because of these head spasms, so it would interfere with plot and character motive if this was cut entirely. However, slight and careful trimming may be called for here.

19.) Carefully trim Ox’s dancing when he is first introduced.

This is very brief, so again would require careful editing if it was to work, and be smooth.

20.) Possibly trim Indy and Marion’s reunion.

Cut right after Indy says "Why, are you looking for a date?" directly to Spalko's "So Dr. Jones, you'll help us."  This also gives Indy the last word in the argument.  Also in the same sequence, cut Indy's "Same old, same old".

21.) During the Sand Pit sequence. Indy says 'Oxley, for God's sake man, don't just stand there, go get help!'. the 'go get' should be omitted from Indy's statement so that Indy says 'Oxley, for God's sake man, don't just stand there, help!'.

It would be a much better pay off when Oxley appears with the Russians and says 'help!', to which Indy replies 'yeah, great Ox, help...'. It would make this scene work and make it much funnier than it currently is, as the Russians are the only ones whom Oxley could go to for help, so his actions are understandable and Indy seems like an idiot in the present condition of this scene.

22.) The trouser-rip in the truck, after Mutt throws the knife to Indy, should be removed.

23.) When Mutt finds the sword in the jeep, after Mutt opens the case, it should cut to him going straight for the sword's handle as opposed to its blade.

Just before his fight with Spalko, when he goes to grab the sword from its case, he goes for the blade first, stops and then goes for the handle. This seems like a mistake from LeBouf though as opposed to something intended, as it's not funny and looks quite clumsy and strange for someone like Mutt, who is a good fencer and also good with his small switch-blade, to do.

24.) When Mutt is fencing with Spalko, the bushes-hitting-the-crotch gag should be either trimmed extensively (it could happen once, the first time, but the other time, when there is a series of frames consisting of nothing but Mutt getting hit in the crotch, should be cut) or removed completely.

25.) There is a gun nozzle flash missing in the Jungle Chase sequence which should be added; when Spalko fires at the jeep when Marion, Mutt and Indy are in it.

After she fires at the jeep’s window, the scene cuts back to her and it is during this scene that the gun sound effect continues but the nozzle flash is missing.

26.) The whole sequence of Mutt swinging through the trees on vines should be trimmed considerably.

1. When Mutt is caught up by the vine during the chase, only him looking at the one real monkey should remain. The pan back to show the CG monkeys swinging about higher should be cut.
2. Ideally, a close up of Mutt after he looks at the real monkey could be used to show dawning understanding, and the forming of a plan.
3. All shots of Mutt swinging with the monkeys through the tree should be cut.
4. Mutt emerging from the trees swinging on a vine should be kept, to get him back to the action and finish off the sequence.
5. The scene afterwards with the monkeys attacking Spalko and her soldiers in the jeep should be trimmed considerably/cut.

27.) Make the fight between Indy and the Russian Heavy (during the Ant sequence) a little more rough by adding some blood and spit splatters, some blood dripping out of Indy's mouth when he's on the ground and maybe a head wound when he hits the Russian with the branch. Also, there may be other instances in the film where such additions could be added to push it more to the gritty side.

28.) When Marion drives in the jeep towards the cliff with Mutt, and he says 'mum, there's a cliff!' and she turns but looks down and then smiles, presumably because she spots the branch which she drives onto later to take her down to the water, it would be more effective if an artificial pan-and-zoom was added towards the branch in the quick scene where Marion looks over the cliff from the jeep, to make her drive off the cliff later more pre-determined and planned, as opposed to random.

29.) Combine the three waterfalls into one big waterfall/drop.

Wouldn't have to cut Ox's 'three times it falls' (which would have been an editing nightmare I'd imagine!) as they still technically drop three times! We would still have to have a little break between each drop, as they can't be totally glued together for continuity reasons. But these breaks between each drop could be trimmed considerably, so it would be drop-little catch of breath-drop-tiny pause-drop, making the pacing much tighter and giving the scene much more danger and spontaneity.

30.) Cut Marion clutching the steering wheel after the waterfall drops ONLY if this can be done without causing continuity error.

After Mutt says 'the golden vision reappears! We've got to go through the waterfall!’ it cuts to Indy holding the steering wheel and then dropping the steering wheel (as he grabs it from Marion). If we cut Marion clutching the wheel, either the steering wheel would have to be digitally removed or the shot of Indy approaching Mutt and Ox be carefully trimmed.

31.) Increase the tension of the water-steps (after the sand-tower puzzle), and don't show the water 2 feet below them just before the fall. 

32.) The sequence of the thirteen skeletons merging and turning into a horrible CG alien should be cut entirely.

There should be no showing of the alien, as it just felt like overkill, too much. Instead, only the skeletons bearing down on Spalko as she is overcome by their knowledge should be shown.

33.) Add Temple of Doom ‘Death Trap’ music to water-gears/water coming towards Indy et al during the film’s finale. Also, trim the sequence when the water reaches the gang to cut out redundant frames.

34.) The UFO scene SHOULD BE KEPT.

Indy juxtaposed with something so other-worldly and sci-fi was very iconic. Plus, with the CG alien removed, it presents a nice pay-off at the film's finale.

35.) Colour correct film to better match the original three.

The music was a great addition! This scene in the movie always reminded me of the end of the mine car chase in Temple of Doom (which I think was meant to be the purpose of the sequence), so the music is really fitting. Agree with jones1899 though - the scene could be more effective if it was trimmed down a bit. I'm thinking, cutting from when the water reaches them in the alcove, to the over-head view of them rising up the shaft (removing the unneccesary scenes which actually show the shaft filling up with water).

Great work!

Nice work Laserschwert - the colour correction really ties this film to the previous trilogy, in terms of visuals. And the new photos were placed seamlessly (although admittadly I'm not completely sold on the Connery pic either; too modern looking perhaps?)

On the photos, I always thought that they would look more natural if it weren't just the characters of Marcus and Henry on their own, isolated in their respective photos. On Google Image Search I came across these pictures of Indy and Henry, taken from the Last Crusade:

Possibly still not entirely natural, as they can be seen to be from the last film, but I quite like the idea - it is more in line with what I am thinking of. It seems fitting that Indy should be pictured with his father, and the Marcus one could be left with him on his own (the photo that was used for Laserschwert's clip looked quite good, and usable pictures of the actor of Marcus seem pretty thin on the ground). I was told that there's a picture of Connery with a young River Phoenix that appears briefly in the film, but I've never been able to spot it - maybe that could be substituted into the Connery frame on Indy's desk? Or are there any budding photoshoppers out there?

It's great to hear that Laserschwert and InfoDroid are planning fan edits. I don't think that this movie was as much of a disaster as some claim. The direction, pace and coherence of the movie were all to a high standard, much more so than the Star Wars prequels, which KOTCS is compared to (unfairly, in my opinion).

Of course there were things that didn't sit right. My biggest gripe was the handling of the Marion and Oxley characters ('squandered talent' was a phrase used by some reviewer to describe these roles, and I agree completely). And the story may have been a bit 'out there', but I maintain it was nevertheless follow-able, enjoyable, and perfectly in the vain of a sci-fi, action serial B-Movie, which is what the film is a glorified version of (and because of this, I can grudgingly forgive the two dimensional characters of Marion and Oxley; again, this is B-Movie style). And it was the vehicle for some truly imaginative and thrilling set pieces and genuinely funny Indy-humour moments, which are the key components in any Indiana Jones movie.

Plus, it felt like an Indy movie. Harrison Ford was fantastic at reprising his role, and the whole thing raced along nicely. Well, almost nicely. See, I think that the main problem with the movie was the stupid little things like over use of CG animals, to cater for the kiddies. I'm talking about the gophers and the monkeys. And the whole Mutt-getting-hit-in-the-crotch-with-bushes which, while acceptable the first time it happened, there was no need for this gag to repeat on for another few seconds.

I genuinely believe that trimming down these excesses and removing the handful of moments which have you scratching your head and which take you right out of the film, will save KOTCS. I hope, lol.

With the latest Indiana Jones movie being released on DVD and Bluray, I thought it might be useful to have a place to discuss the film and what should be cut, trimmed, changed, etc for possible fan edits of the movie. This could be a source to plunder for ideas and inspiration when editing Crystal Skull.

While the film was consitent in theme and tone with the previous instalments, and was an enjoyable enough ride, simultaneously, the trimming of excesses and a few other nip tucks here and there could raise this film from being a slightly-above-average-adventure-yarn, to being another great Indy movie.

Below is a list which best represents the various ideas and suggestions put forward by those who have contributed on this thread. It will continue to be updated as new ideas are put forward.

---------------------------------------------------------

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Fan Edit Suggestions – Definitive List

1.) Aside from the CG Gopher/Prairie Dog which opens the movie, the other two scenes in which they feature should be cut/trimmed to remove the creatures from the film.

When Indy and the Russian Heavy ride on the rocket sled, there is a scene of the critters following the sled's movement which could be removed entirely, and when Indy raises from the ground after rolling out of the fridge, there is a quick shot of a gopher/prairie dog which could be trimmed/edited out or else have the critter digitally removed from the shot.

2.) The gopher at the start of the movie, just before it scampers from its mound, makes a cheesy, comic, kiddy noise which could be removed.

3.) This small scene could also be trimmed/quickened.

So that the paramount logo fades to the mound, the gopher is revealed and then it very quickly scampers away without the sound effect, as opposed to it glancing around first.

4.) When the Russians shoot the Area 51 guards, there is a muzzle-flash (that is, the visual flash that appears at the gun snout when it is being fired) missing, which should be added back in.

When the big Russian guy bends down to tie his shoe, the Russian soldier on screen right, who is standing up, at this point is clearly firing his gun and yet there is no visual flash to indicate this.

5.) There is a continuity error with Mac's arms when Indy and he are first revealed.

Before Indy tells the big Russian to 'drop dead', Mac's arms are down by his side. Yet, as the Russian punches Indy, it cuts to a far-away perspective shot in which Mac's arms are miraculously raised again, seemingly at lightning, in-human speed. Immediately after this shot, his arms are lowered. So, editing Mac's arms to be down by his side is required during the far-away perspective shot of Indy being punched by the big Russian.

6.) Spalko’s mind-reading and telekinetically opening the warehouse door should be cut.

While her interest in the paranormal is developed in the film, her psychic abilities are never developed beyond her first scene, so this could be cut. Have her shout: 'dabi' or whatever it is in Russian, and raise her hand, but then cut to the interior shot of the warehouse with the door opening, and omit the sparks flying out of the control box.

7.) Gun-powder segment could be minimally trimmed to move things along a bit faster.

There is only one foreseeable cut that I can find that would quicken the pace. After Indy climbs up on the boxes to throw the gunpowder for the first time (with Spalko saying 'don't toy with me, Dr. Jones, what is the point of all this?'), in the next scene there is a close-up of Russian soldiers pouring their grenade-powder into a helmet for Indy. After this close-up, there is a panning-down shot of Indy and the guards walking. This is the shot that could be shortened, so that instead of panning-down to watch them walk the full length from a corner to the point where Indy throws the gun-powder, the scene of them walking is cut into where they're halfway across the floor, or even three quarters of the way across the floor.

8.) Cut the ‘Damn, thought that was closer line’ ONLY if a suitable Indy-Expression can be substituted in its place.

I don't think any cut could be done of the line, based on what we have in the film. It would require digital tinkering to get Indy to spare a glance/change Indy's face/head movement to create the classic Indy-look of 'Oh, greaaaat...’. This edit is not a high priority.

9.) The style of the Countdown Timer during the activation of the Rocket Sled sequence should be changed. Also change/alter the Countdown Sound Effect – the ‘beep’ is too sci-fi/un-Indy.

During the warehouse action scene, Indy falls down with the big Russian into the rocket sled hangar, and at some point during this set piece a timer is activated for the Rocket Sled. The timer itself is composed of red LED numbers which jar considerably with the period setting of the film, and also with the imagery of all the Indy films in general. Am I not right in saying that such a display wouldn't even have been available at this time, in 1957?

This display should be changed from to

The black-and-white numbers on rotating plates is far more in line with the technology which would have been available at that point, and would look more Indiana Jones-y as well.

And, if the timer’s visual display is to be changed to rotating plates instead of a digital display, the electronic ‘beep’ could either be replaced entirely with a more ‘click’ like sound effect, or else add a ‘click’ sound over the ‘beep’ sound.

10.) Cut Indy yelling ‘Oh, sure, don’t wait for me!’ at Russians’ car (ONLY if feasible and ONLY if it wouldn’t cause continuity error).

This would require clever editing to make it work seamlessly and without continuity error. We could have Indy running to the pavement as the car drives away past him, with him shouting 'wait, wait, wait!', but we couldn't have him run out onto the road as it would be impossible to cut the line from the scene due to his facial and body movements. Instead, we would have to cut from him at the pavement, after yelling 'wait, wait, wait!', to about halfway through the scene after he yells 'sure, great, don't wait for me!' on the road (the far-away perspective scene of Indy running into the house; the reason I say we would have to cut from Indy-at-the-pavement to halfway through this scene is because this scene has Indy running from the road, to the pavement, to the house. We would have to have Indy just running from the pavement to the house in this scene).

11.) The fridge scene should NOT be cut entirely, but it could be trimmed.

1. Indy hides in the fridge.
2 The nuclear bomb hits the site, and we see the destruction ensue.
3. We see the shockwave engulf the Russian's car, but all sight of the flying fridge is removed at this point.
4. After this, we then see the flying fridge, but the scene is darkened/hazy, with camera shake(s), and shortened, so we get a hectic glimpse of Indy's flight in the fridge.
5. Part 4 could end with a flash of white, and then we cut to the fridge door opening and Indy slumping out onto the hill, before walking up to gaze at the mushroom cloud (an iconic scene, in my opinion). Notice that shots of the fridge landing and rolling down the hill are cut here.

12.) When Indy hides in the fridge, there is a box to the top right inside the fridge (that's screen top-right inside the fridge). But when Indy emerges from the fridge after the blast, the box is gone. This should be fixed.

13.) Replace photos of Marcus and Henry Sr. on Indy’s desk with more natural photos.

The photos in KOTCS are obviously screen caps from the previous film. If more natural shots of Marcus and Indy's dad existed, it would be good if they could be inserted here. I've been told that there is a quick shot of a digitally-created photo with Sean Connery and River Phoenix as a young Indy. This seems to be a more natural photo of Indy's dad which could possibly replace the mug shot of Connery, prominent on the desk. Another possibility is a picture of a younger Connery and the kid from the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. Photoshop could be used to create such digitally created photos for this purpose.

Possible photos:

14.) When Indy and Mutt go to Peru, after Indy talks with the locals, Indy and Mutt start walking down the street, and Mutt puts his hands in his pocket. As Mutt says 'where did you learn that one', he takes his screen right hand out of his pocket, only to put it back in again. It looks awkward and is very distracting, and should be edited so that Mutt's hand remains in his pocket.

15.) In the establishing shot of the cemetery, the Nazca Lines should be made more prominent/clear.

16.) In the cemetery scene, when Indy blows the dart back down the tube and into the attacker's mouth, the attacker dies in a childish way, complete with comic 'oooh!' noise which manages to escape his mouth before he dies. This quick scene should have that sound effect edited out, and be even quicker/more brief.

17.) Also in the cemetery scene, Indy pulls his gun out on one of the attackers who is fighting with Mutt. Mutt and the attacker should be digitally re-arranged, so that when Indy draws his gun, he should fire to hit the attacker, but miss, and the attacker, seeing and hearing the gun shot, then runs off.

The nozzle flash and gunshot sound effect should be added to Indy's gun here. Indy doesn't once shoot his gun in the movie (a first for an Indy film) and it'd be good to see him fire a shot off.

18.) Carefully trim Indy’s head spasms.

I can't think of how they could be cut without it being messy and causing continuity problems - Mac tells Spalko to stop, and Spalko does indeed stop, because of these head spasms, so it would interfere with plot and character motive if this was cut entirely. However, slight and careful trimming may be called for here.

19.) Carefully trim Ox’s dancing when he is first introduced.

This is very brief, so again would require careful editing if it was to work, and be smooth.

20.) Possibly trim Indy and Marion’s reunion.

Cut right after Indy says "Why, are you looking for a date?" directly to Spalko's "So Dr. Jones, you'll help us." This also gives Indy the last word in the argument. Also in the same sequence, cut Indy's "Same old, same old".

21.) During the Sand Pit sequence. Indy says 'Oxley, for God's sake man, don't just stand there, go get help!'. the 'go get' should be omitted from Indy's statement so that Indy says 'Oxley, for God's sake man, don't just stand there, help!'.

It would be a much better pay off when Oxley appears with the Russians and says 'help!', to which Indy replies 'yeah, great Ox, help...'. It would make this scene work and make it much funnier than it currently is, as the Russians are the only ones whom Oxley could go to for help, so his actions are understandable and Indy seems like an idiot in the present condition of this scene.

22.) The trouser-rip in the truck, after Mutt throws the knife to Indy, should be removed.

23.) When Mutt finds the sword in the jeep, after Mutt opens the case, it should cut to him going straight for the sword's handle as opposed to its blade.

Just before his fight with Spalko, when he goes to grab the sword from its case, he goes for the blade first, stops and then goes for the handle. This seems like a mistake from LeBouf though as opposed to something intended, as it's not funny and looks quite clumsy and strange for someone like Mutt, who is a good fencer and also good with his small switch-blade, to do.

24.) When Mutt is fencing with Spalko, the bushes-hitting-the-crotch gag should be either trimmed extensively (it could happen once, the first time, but the other time, when there is a series of frames consisting of nothing but Mutt getting hit in the crotch, should be cut) or removed completely.

25.) There is a gun nozzle flash missing in the Jungle Chase sequence which should be added; when Spalko fires at the jeep when Marion, Mutt and Indy are in it.

After she fires at the jeep’s window, the scene cuts back to her and it is during this scene that the gun sound effect continues but the nozzle flash is missing.

26.) The whole sequence of Mutt swinging through the trees on vines should be trimmed considerably.

1. When Mutt is caught up by the vine during the chase, only him looking at the one real monkey should remain. The pan back to show the CG monkeys swinging about higher should be cut.
2. Ideally, a close up of Mutt after he looks at the real monkey could be used to show dawning understanding, and the forming of a plan.
3. All shots of Mutt swinging with the monkeys through the tree should be cut.
4. Mutt emerging from the trees swinging on a vine should be kept, to get him back to the action and finish off the sequence.
5. The scene afterwards with the monkeys attacking Spalko and her soldiers in the jeep should be trimmed considerably/cut.

27.) Make the fight between Indy and the Russian Heavy (during the Ant sequence) a little more rough by adding some blood and spit splatters, some blood dripping out of Indy's mouth when he's on the ground and maybe a head wound when he hits the Russian with the branch. Also, there may be other instances in the film where such additions could be added to push it more to the gritty side.

28.) When Marion drives in the jeep towards the cliff with Mutt, and he says 'mum, there's a cliff!' and she turns but looks down and then smiles, presumably because she spots the branch which she drives onto later to take her down to the water, it would be more effective if an artificial pan-and-zoom was added towards the branch in the quick scene where Marion looks over the cliff from the jeep, to make her drive off the cliff later more pre-determined and planned, as opposed to random.

29.) Combine the three waterfalls into one big waterfall/drop.

Wouldn't have to cut Ox's 'three times it falls' (which would have been an editing nightmare I'd imagine!) as they still technically drop three times! We would still have to have a little break between each drop, as they can't be totally glued together for continuity reasons. But these breaks between each drop could be trimmed considerably, so it would be drop-little catch of breath-drop-tiny pause-drop, making the pacing much tighter and giving the scene much more danger and spontaneity.

30.) Cut Marion clutching the steering wheel after the waterfall drops ONLY if this can be done without causing continuity error.

After Mutt says 'the golden vision reappears! We've got to go through the waterfall!’ it cuts to Indy holding the steering wheel and then dropping the steering wheel (as he grabs it from Marion). If we cut Marion clutching the wheel, either the steering wheel would have to be digitally removed or the shot of Indy approaching Mutt and Ox be carefully trimmed.

31.) Increase the tension of the water-steps (after the sand-tower puzzle), and don't show the water 2 feet below them just before the fall.

32.) The sequence of the thirteen skeletons merging and turning into a horrible CG alien should be cut entirely.

There should be no showing of the alien, as it just felt like overkill, too much. Instead, only the skeletons bearing down on Spalko as she is overcome by their knowledge should be shown.

33.) Add Temple of Doom ‘Death Trap’ music to water-gears/water coming towards Indy et al during the film’s finale. Also, trim the sequence when the water reaches the gang to cut out redundant frames.

34.) The UFO scene SHOULD BE KEPT.

Indy juxtaposed with something so other-worldly and sci-fi was very iconic. Plus, with the CG alien removed, it presents a nice pay-off at the film's finale.

35.) Colour correct film to better match the original three.

36.) Change the title-card of the film.

Instead of 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull', other possibilities include 'Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull', 'Indiana Jones and the City of the Gods', or similarily 'Indiana Jones and the City of Gods' (without the 'the').

*** Addtional Changes ***

1.) Cut Indy's head spasms - they look funny and awkward.

We can see the close up when we KNOW something is going bad. Then we use the zoom-in-on-the-skull or the same close up of Indy (maybe even closer this time) while Mac and Spalko's dialog plays - saying 'shut it off, cover it up' etc. It works better NOT seeing Indy's reaction in the end.

2.) We should see the fridge come to rest, but not all the bouncing and flipping.

3.) Extend the scene (loop or slow speed) BEFORE the fridge door drops open?

A few more seconds would establish he's pretty beat up.

5.) Cut Ox's dancing and twirling of the stick.

First Spalko will tell Dovchenko to go get him. Then we see him being dragged into the tent. Then we cut to Ox's dialog.

6.) Cut Indy's "Yes, good" to Spalko when they are looking at the map.

She gets a clue right, but he shouldn't congratulate the biatch!

7.) At the sand pit, in addition to having Indy not say "go get help", but "help" instead, we should have the Russians appear with Mac. Mac's dialog, then Indy saying "Good work, Ox" then cut. Ox doesn't have to say "help".

8.) The branch hitting Marion is AWKWARD and its unclear why its even there in the first place. Cut.

9.) Cut the first grunt we hear when Indy misses the truck on his whip swing in the warehouse. The first one's a bit much, second one just right.

10.) Cut the "Woa!" in Doom Town when Indy sees its dummies on the couch. His look says it all.

11.) Completely edit out Marion holding on to the steering wheel, or at least come in later to the scene.

12.) Omit the second time Indy says 'treasue is knowledge'. Got it the first time.

13.) When the water is rushing at them as they are escaping the temple in the end, we should make it all much more immediate, not only make it seem as though the water was on their heels (cut them waiting and staring at it) but also make the ascent much more rapid.

See this thread for more information on this edit.

14.) Minor, but Ox's "Dad?" in the end in reaction to Mutt isn't really needed. Cut right to "somewhere your grandpa.."

15.) When Ox holds the sand that falls from the Obelisk, Indy looks at it like he has a plan. We can CUT Indy saying Ox you figured this out in your cell (and later when he says good work.) Let's just cut to him holding the stone over mac then busting the face.

17.) When Mac tries to stock up on loot in the end and Indy tries to save him, we should see Indy telling him to come on, and cut like the film does right after Indy goes for his whip, then we see the walls bursting, Indy falling down onto the steps and Mac flying out. Then indy herding his friends up the steps and out the door.

18.) The delivery of the lines 'Not as easy as it used to be' and 'Part time' sound much better in the trailers - they should be swapped over into the edit.

19.) Cut the gun powder segment/trim it down - so long as continuity is maintained.

20.) Near the end, just before the Crystal Skull natives climb out of the walls, Mutt grabs a torch and says "someone's been here". Cut this, as it spoils the surprise for the audience that someone is there, plus who would've used it? The natives hiding in the walls? Or Oxley who was last there weeks ago?

21.) Cut as many sequences possible of Indy asking others (Oxley mostly) what to do next. Indy should figure things out himself.

22.) When Spalko lands on the back of the duck while Marion's driving, they just stare at each other for a good 3 seconds. It just looks weird. Maybe a shorter cut?

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It'd be great to hear others' opinions, suggestions, and takes on the film, to help with future, potential fan-edits of Crystal Skull, and create a definitive version which fans of the Indy franchise can be happy with.

With regards to colouring the inside of the AT-AT cockpit red, perhaps it would be better if only the inside of the window was slightly coloured red? That is, whenever we see the viewpoint of the AT-AT drivers looking out onto the battle field, if that window was MINIMALLY tinted red, and so  the view of the battle here would be red tinted, it could do the job. And I'm all for more AT-AT and AT-ST walkers, and a more busier battle, here, ala the Yavin Battle in ANH:R, and agree with the re-doing of Vader's hologram. But technology would have advanced so much in the Star Wars universe since the prequels that seeing prequel walkers on Hoth may not be coherent.

Also, I'm not really sure how the 'ESB:R Suggestion Terminal' thread started by GoodMusician works, but I perused the list and find I have two suggestions that aren't on there. Am I right in saying that I post those suggestions here, in this thread? If so, they are:

1.) Fix motion of Luke's X-Wing landing on Dagobah (when Yoda force levitates out of the swamp and onto dry land; motion when coming down and Luke pats it with hand seems too awkward/fakey)

2.) Update displays in Rebel Hoth Base ala Yavin Base in ANH:R (with some digital text/annotations, and flashing graphics)

Cheers,
topdawg193