If you went to see Iron Man this past weekend, odds are you saw the full trailers for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and The Dark Knight, two sequels I couldn’t be more excited to see. But after taking in what I was sure was going to be a double-barrelled shot of unvarnished awesomeness, I came away a little bit — to borrow from Dark Knight’s Harvey Dent — of two minds.
The Indy trailer gave me exactly what that first spot failed to: a sense of respect for my love of the character. I didn’t need to be reminded who Indiana Jones was, I just needed to see him bring the derring do. This time around, they nailed it — more info about the crystal skull, more Marian, and more running-and-jumping-and-blowing-stuff-up from a spry Harrison Ford. (There were dudes in the theater who applauded after the trailer ended. I was too busy GRINNING.)
On the other hand, The Dark Knight also gave us more–more of the story, more of the cast besides Heath Ledger–but I came away less impressed. It was less evocative than the first trailer; less thematic. I’ve still got a lot of faith that Christopher Nolan will deliver a splendid flick — Aaron Eckhart’s Harvey Dent looked especially promising (considering that the character had been played previously by both Billy Dee Williams and Tommy Lee Jones, he’s got no place to go but up).But for me, these two were very much a case of one step forward, two steps back. (And, yes, you singing "Opposites Attract" is my own cruel Joker-y parting gift.)
What did you think? Still as jazzed as ever about these movies, or a little more cautious? And which one are you more stoked to see?
Comments (1-30) of 178
I’m slightly more stoked to see Indiana Jones than Dark Knight. It’s probably because it’s been so long since we’ve seen Indy on the screen, and it’s so exciting to have him back after so many years.
Even so, I am excited to see the Dark Kinght, just to see Heath Ledger one last time.
I’m excited to see both these films, but Heath Ledger’s Joker looks awesome. Can’t wait.
For me, The Dark Knight was the better trailer by far. It might not have been quite as cool and evocative as the Teaser, but that was because we’d never seen any footage before, and it was all new. I still think Dark Knight will rule.
Indy, on the other hand, was a disappointing trailer. Just didn’t do it for me. After watching this trailer, my friends and I all agreed that Indy will probably suck – unfortunately. We’ll still see it anyway, though, just because it’s Indy.
I’m excited for both, but I think I tend to lean towards the darker ‘Dark Knight’ type movies. P.S. ‘Iron Man’ was awesome!
Definitely the Dark Knight. I fell in love with Heath in 10 Things I Hate About You (don’t judge me!). But I am also in two minds about it. For one thing, I am horribly afraid of clowns (again, don’t judge me), but I am in love with Heath. But honestly, when I was watching the trailer in front of Iron Man (kick ass!), I didn’t see Heath. I saw a deranged lunatic. I am probably going to be an absolute mess in the theater. But based on the what, 4 minutes of footage that we have thus far, if Heath does not get nominated for something and win, there is something seriously wrong.
Consider me there and scared on July 18th.
Both look pretty good but The Dark Knight has to be the #1 must see film of the summer. In 1989 when these 2 characters went mano-to-mano, the Bats was victorious and I see that repeating this year. Ledgers amazing performance coupled with his untimely passing is sure to elevate the box office on this film, not to mention it’s a sequel to the HANDS DOWN BEST COMIC FILM.
Indy will rock but not as much as TDK.
I liked both but the Batman trailer was awesome. I really can’t wait to see that movie.
Although I’m looking forward to seeing the new Batman movie my heart belongs to Indy….Go Dr. Jones, Go!!
Indy, baby, INDY!!
While I’m extremely excited for both, I think The Dark Knight has the potential to be a great film, thanks especially to Heath Ledger’s awe-inspiring performance, while Indiana Jones will just be a great movie. Both great, but in slightly different ways.
Like Marc, I’m super-duper excited to see both of these movies (and to hosting an upcoming mini movie festival for my girlfriend of the first three Indy films since she’s never seen them), but I’m more excited about “The Dark Knight”.
I’ve been excited about it for months, and I got even more excited when I saw the first and second trailer. I thought “Batman Begins” was one of the, if not the, best movies of 2005, and I couldn’t wait to see what Nolan would do after getting all the necessary character-introduction stuff out of the way. THEN they went ahead and replaced arguably the excellent cast’s one weak link (Katie Holmes) with a good actress (Maggie Gyllenhaal) AND added Heath Ledger (looking like he’s reinventing an iconic character) and the terrific Aaron Eckhart.
I love me some Indiana Jones, but the answer is “The Dark Knight.”
I love Indy. Some of my best childhood memories are watching those movies with my dad, but hands down, the Dark Knight is my summer movie. I can’t wait to see it. Maggie Gyllenhaal will be awesome. Aaron Eckhart will be great as Harvey Dent, and I can’t wait to see him become Two Face. But Heath Ledger and Christian Bale will be dynamite. I can’t wait.
I’m sitting here with the biggest grin on my face because I just watched the trailer for Indiana Jones. As much as I love Christian Bale as Batman, Indy wins every time!
Do we really have to choose? Can’t we be equally excited about both?
I thought the Indy trailer was awesome and it made me even more excited than I was before. The Batman trailer was DARK, maybe TOO dark for a summer movie, just like Batman Begins (which I loved, but it’s not a movie I can watch over and over again like Indy–or, now, Iron Man).
I will go see both. Both, Indiana Jones has something no other movie has this summer. The best fracking actress of our times. CATE BLANCHET. that makes me more excited.
I have to agree. . . not that the footage we were shown didn’t look amazing, but I liked the mystery that the teaser created. The new Dark Knight trailer is a little bit too much like a standard movie trailer for my tastes. Plus, they unnecessarily give away a ton of plot points, such as showing a glimpse of Aaron Eckhart’s Two-Face scarring roughly two minutes into the film. They should have left us wondering if that was a transformation that would take place in this film.
I think most people seem to be saying which movie they are looking forward to more rather than which trailer was better, which is only natural. I thought that the Indy trailer was not that great, and now I am afraid the movie will only be ok. I thought poor Cate Blanchett looked more German that Russian and Harrison Ford looked creaky. The Batman trailer was really well done and got me excited to see the movie. I thought it was interesting that it focused on Joker so much, but I guess that’s to be expected, and not just because of Ledger’s death.
Sorry, no matter how hard I try… I can’t get excited about Indy.
They claim they aren’t ignoring the passage of time, setting it in 1957… almost two decades after the original films. But then why is a man late in his fifties (or even early sixties?) jumping from moving cars, swinging by whip from the rafters, and punching out three guys at once?
I’m sorry, it looks stupid. And none of the trailers/stills I’ve seen change my mind. It looks tired and derivative.
The Dark Knight on the other hand, looks incredibly dark and awesome. The first one is amongst the top-three of superhero movies ever made, and I think Nolan, Bale, Ledger, et al, will not disappoint.
And now we are finding out that my favorite Batman villian of all time — Two-Face — has his origin in the story, as well??? Count me in!!! I can’t wait.
(But hey, it’s Indy and Batman, who are we kidding… all the geeks will be there on opening weekend no matter how much we critique the trailers.)
This is no contest…. DARK KNIGHT 100%
The Indiana Jones one is just a bunch of random action shots put together. It looks like a freaking music video…at least the Dark Knight one has a bit of plot in it.
I’m psyched for both movies and was thrilled after seeing both trailers. However, the theater in which I saw Iron Man apparently did not show the new Dark Knight trailer, because it was one I’d already seen and did not have Harvey Dent/Two Face in it at all…Either way, can’t wait!!
who can choose!!!??? you gotta love both of them for different reasons!!! i can’t wait to see them both!!!
Indy is still not-quite-real to me – I won’t completely believe it until I see it in the theatres. But The Dark Knight had me standing up (at my desk at work, no less), laughing, tensing up and pumping my fist in the air!!!
I am about to do something that I rarely ever do- I am going to “out” myself. I have never seen an Indiana Jones movie. Yet, I am a pop culture geek. Go figs. Regardless, I know I will have to see 4 (after cramming down the first three SOON!) and I would say that this second trailer is a vast improvement on the first, but the Dark Knight trailer wins, hands down. I actually got chills and yes, I even shed a tear (or three) during it (see, told you I was a geek!). So, Dark Knight has got my vote as the better trailer.
I’m super excited for both movies but, if I had never seen either before, I’d definitely want to see the Dark Knight based on the previews. Love Indy, looking forward to Cate and Shia, digging the return of Marion–HATE the trailer. You say thematic, I say generalized-Indy-boredom. I’m sure the movie will be better than that clip–I mean, it better be, or Harrison Ford is in deep.
TDK trailer gets the win for me. I like the Indy trailer, but mostly because the first trailer for the movie was such a disappointment. The trailer for TDK is not just about action, but a glimpse into all of the character development we can hopefully expect in the movie.
Well, I guess its pretty clear by now that we’re all excited about both, but I think you’re absolutely right about these new trailers. I definitely dug the new Indy trailer more than the Dark Knight one, but to me, Indy still looks like a lot of the same old stuff. Not that its a bad thing, but I just get the feeling like I’m going to be watching a part 4 movie, even if it does look like an especially cool one. I don’t know if you’ve seen the comparison trailers online but the old Dark Knight trailer is apparently an homage to the original Batman (Keaton) trailer, yet watching that trailer, I never get the sense of deja vu until its pointed out to me. It just feels like a more organic continuation of the series. And all of that basically means I’m more excited about The Dark Knight, even if the new trailer does kinda suck a little bit.
Dark Knight. Indy’s age is showing. Nothing like grandpa kicking the butts of 20 somethings (eyes rolling).
The dark knight wins my vote–not just b/c I love Bale and Ledger. It looks amazing! The trailer makes me want to go to the theater opening weekend!
I can’t wait to see Indy, and Shia looks awesome!
I probably won’t see either one until they come out on DVD anyway, but I CAN’T WAIT!
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