From Friday’s The Oklahoman:

By Matthew Price
Assistant Features Editor

THE NEXT LEVEL

Relive the first three “Indiana Jones” films in LEGO format with “LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures” from Lucas Arts.

After the success of the “LEGO Star Wars” games, it seemed a good idea to bring Indiana Jones to life in the same format, and it works again.

The yellow LEGO figures stand in for Harrison Ford and crew in a LEGO reimaging of the three films. While some story bits have been changed for gameplay purposes, it’s close to the plotlines of the original films. Recasting the stars with LEGO figures makes for some additional tongue-in-cheek humor, and the cut scenes range from snicker-inducing to laugh out loud funny.

The game features more than 60 playable characters, including villains and supporting characters in different costumes, many of which must be unlocked. As a bonus, the LEGO body parts of playable characters can be rearranged, to make a character who’s a mix of Rene Belloq and Marcus Brody, for example.

The sound features the score from the films, and no voice acting per se.

While Indy has the use of his trademark whip, “LEGO Indiana” features much more hand-to-hand combat than the lightsaber-fueled “LEGO Star Wars” games.

“Indiana” also appropriately features more puzzles and problem-solving than the “LEGO Star Wars” games, fitting with the archaeological theme. The game is relatively short but has plenty of treasure to go back and unlock in the “Free Play” mode.

The game has improved the use of vehicles, as they’re more easily controlled than in the “Star Wars” games, but the camera issues that plague the “Star Wars” episodes, particularly in multiplayer, still exist here.

Still, it’s a minor annoyance and doesn’t stand in the way of “LEGO Indiana Jones” being a whip-cracking good time.

The game is rated E10+, for everyone 10 and up. “LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures” is available for PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii and in portable form on Nintendo DS.

From Friday’s The Oklahoman:

By Matthew Price
Assistant Features Editor 

THE NEXT LEVEL

Gamers can now explore dark caverns and spooky tombs on the go, as Indiana Jones comes to mobile devices, courtesy of THQ Wireless.

Based on “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” which opened in theaters Thursday, the game lets players take on the role of whip-cracking archaeologist Indiana Jones and his sidekick Mutt Williams.

Indiana and Mutt play in alternating levels, each 2-D side-scrollers.

The game is difficult, especially in

The graphics are similar to old-school Sega Genesis affairs, which is pretty good for something played on a cell phone at this state.  The sound features the classic Indiana Jones theme.  There’s not a whole lot of in-depth story or character development, here, but it is a reasonably fun and challenging game.

The story mode has 20 levels; the arcade mode unlocks Indiana Jones trivia.

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” for mobile phones is nostalgic fun, which is appropriate for the character.  Gamers who fondly remember 2-D side-scrolling adventures will likely enjoy taking on new enemies with Indiana Jones.

The game is available on major carriers. For more information, go online to www.thqwireless.com.

– Matt Price 

Lee’s Toy Review this month features Sideshow’s Premium Format 1/4 scale Indiana Jones figure on the cover.  This is one sweet-looking figure. Sideshow is known for high-quality stuff, and from the photos, they’ve knocked it out of the park on this one.   If you’ve got the $279.99, this is about as nice a likeness of the “Raiders of the Lost Ark” era Harrison Ford as you’re likely to find, right down to the smirk.

Sideshow’s description:

The Premium Format Indiana Jones figure presents the adventuring archaeologist as he appears in Raiders of the Lost Ark, standing tall with the fertility idol and bullwhip in hand. The figure features a belted holster that houses a removable revolver. (Please note: revolver cannot be held in whip hand.) Down to the tilt of his trademark fedora, each figure is sculpted to Sideshow’s museum-quality standards and dressed in an expertly tailored real fabric costume that captures the essence of Dr. Jones. Each piece is hand-cast of high-quality polystone, hand finished and individually numbered.

– Matt Price

 – Matt Price

Yahoo Movies and the official “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” Web site have posted the trailer for the fourth “Indiana Jones” film, which debuted this morning on “Good Morning America.”  

Also from Vanity Fair, the theory that the new Indy film may be the first in a planned new trilogy, starring Shia LaBeouf.   From the article by Jim Windolf:

If Harrison Ford really does hand over his bullwhip to LaBeouf at the end of the upcoming movie, would that be a smart business move? Is LaBeouf big enough to carry the series beyond “Indy IV”? Older moviegoers may look at him and see an unformed kid, but Hollywood sees a star on the rise who is already incredibly bankable. The 2007 thriller Disturbia, which starred LaBeouf and was directed by D. J. Caruso for a mere $20 million under the auspices of Spielberg’s DreamWorks studio, has grossed $117 million in worldwide box office without the benefit of stellar reviews. Spielberg also made LaBeouf the main human presence in Michael Bay’s Transformers, a summer blockbuster executive-produced by Spielberg that has brought in more than $700 million in worldwide box office. Next up for LaBeouf is Eagle Eye, a thriller based on a story by Spielberg, who had planned to direct it before turning it over to Caruso. All of this points to the fact that the veteran director is more than comfortable in allying himself with the young star.