Matt here… Eugenio is back once again. He had his ear to the ground post-screening of the new Indiana Jones screening at Cannes and he kindly let us know of the atmosphere of the press after the film had been seen. Again you can read his thoughts after the image…

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull opened at the Palais on Wednesday to strong reviews from the trade press at the festival, but some reservations from its audience. It’s gala premiere on Sunday 18th was preceded by a press screening which was popular enough to have to turn back some members of the press.

Variety, Screen International and The Hollywood Reporter were all enthusiastic about the latest instalment from Spielberg and Lucas in their special daily editions for the festival. Most saw it as a fitting addition to the films of the trilogy, with the long chase sequence in the Amazoniana jungle and the performance of Harrison Ford as Indy getting particular repeated mentions.

Fans, however, those few that were able to get tickets to the premiere, gave mixed reviews. In particular, the UFO-driven storyline, a middle section that sags a little and at times too much dialogue and exposition were concerns. Harsher reviewers thought the film was too indulgent and too much an exercise in nostalgia from its superstar producer and director.

Still, the atmosphere of the Palais (a cinema of 1,800+ seats) paid off for Paramount. Unlike other Hollywood blockbusters that got their premieres out of competition here at Cannes such as Armageddon or the The Da Vinci Code, Indy was received not with a chorus of boos but with rapturous
applause and cheering at every appearance of its star actor.

With the strategy of opening here at Cannes having paid off, expect strong box office for the fourth of Indiana Jones’ adventures, with some commentators predicting it will break 100 million in the long weekend in which it opens.