I don't know what the fuss is all about with this film. The acting is SO cliched.
We see bits of references to all of Spielberg's films in the opening sequence in Zone 51 as well as references to the other IJ films.
Shia Leboeuf's appearance, looking like Marlon Brando in "On the Waterfront" is a BIG cliché.
Cate Blanchett looks like a cross between Garbo & a black haired version of Uma Thurman's character in the Kill Bill movies.
John Hurt when first seen looks like Catweazel.
When Shia Leboeuf is sword fighting with Cate Blanchett & the undergrowth between the 2 amphibious vehicles gets higher ready to knock him off them it looks more like a Jacky Chan comedy than IJ.
Later when he is in the trees about to swing after them on vines there seems to be a reference to George of the Jungle rather than Tarzan.
Harrison Ford is too old to play an action hero nowadays & it's obvious. As what he does in the film looks far too unreal for a man in his 60s to do.
My hat goes off to Jim Broadbent however as he pulls off a good performance as the Dean, despite the poverty of the script & his small role.

All in all the film was not worth the wait nor the hype.

As regards Shia Leboeuf's character, my son wonders why he chose the nickname Mutt............. I said given that IJ was named after his dog.......

I havn't seen the movie yet, but I am going next week with Jessica. I love your critical write up though hun....very Barry Norman!

I know lots of peeps have critisised the fact that the special effects are over the top in this latest movie as supposed to the old ways of special effects in the first trio!