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Spoiler Alert
The choice in which Skydance Media produced work to view over the weekend was tough. I could’ve gone to the theatres for the latest Mission Impossible or stayed at home for Fountain of Youth. The latter won me over because it has an archaeological idea which I believe, at the time of writing the screenplay, predicted the discovery at the Pyramids of Giza. If the real world claim of tunnels underneath from two years ago and last March is true, I’m wondering how many modern day seekers are going to find a way down those tunnels said to exist underneath! I won’t say how this connects with this story, as it’s a massive spoiler.
Here, Luke Purdue (John Krasinski) is on the quest for the fabled Mesoamerican landmark, which is the title of this movie. Unlike a certain Indiana Jones movie, the story unfolds in the present day and sees him running away from people trying to stop him from stealing artifacts that contain a clue to where the spring may lie. The result has a few entertaining chase sequences like those from the movie, National Treasure, but not quite hitting the high notes like when Indy returned in the fourth film, Dial of Destiny.
Owen Carver (Domhnall Gleeson) hired him to locate the eight puzzle pieces that will identify the location of this place, and when one of them is under the watchful eye of Charlotte (Natalie Portman), the family reunion doesn’t go as planned. His younger sister never enjoyed gallivanting about with their dad. He took his kids along every quest and they never had a simple life. Unlike Indy’s relationship with his father, this one passed away some time ago. While she wants to forget the past, the other has taken to the shadier side of the profession.
That leads to some excellent character development between the two, and I rather enjoyed this film. Portman gave her all to the role. Although the situation is nothing new to those who’ve played any recent video games in this subgenre, be it Uncharted or Tomb Raider, I was anxiously wondering when the metaphysical stuff might materialize. Aside from a dream or two, I suspect writer James Vanderbilt also borrowed from an episode of Josh Gates’ Expedition Unknown.
Anyone who hasn’t seen the episode in question is in a better state for the surprise. Although I expected a certain revelation, the moment neither shocked nor surprised. Sometimes, a little mysticism is required to give a movie like this that extra oomph. Director Guy Richie has a set style that’ll never change, and I’m okay with it.
In the end, I rather enjoyed Fountain of Youth and hope Krasinski will continue playing the character in more adventures rather than be Jack Ryan on Amazon Prime. He looks great when all scuffed up! The idea has better legs than other attempted continuations or franchise starters that concern the search for forgotten places or lost relics. When the balance between action, heist, or discovery is right, I am hooked. Without that answer to that question, “what does it all mean,” not even this family of archaeologists can go riding off in the sunset.
4 Stars out of 5
Fountain of Youth Trailer
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