Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow Starred in a 71% Rated Movie That Was True Heir to Indiana Jones

Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow’s 71% RT rated movie blends retro adventure, stunning visuals, evoking an Indiana Jones comparison.

Back in 2004, two Oscar-winning legends, Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, teamed up for a retro-futuristic adventure movie that often evokes comparisons to Indiana Jones.

Set in an alternate 1939 world, Jolie and Paltrow appeared in Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, which earned a stunning 71% RT score.

The film follows a fearless reporter, Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow) and a dashing pilot, Joe Sullivan (Jude Law), as they unravel a global conspiracy involving missing scientists, giant robots, and a mad genius bent on reshaping the world.

Angelina Jolie steals the show in a brief yet memorable role as Commander Franky Cook.

Why Gwyneth Paltrow’s Sky Captain Feels Like the Modern Heir to Indiana Jones

Ever since Harrison Ford immortalized Indiana Jones in 1981, following the release of Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark, several adventure flicks have earned comparison to this franchise, over the years.

Similarly, when Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow was released in 2004, Gwyneth Paltrow’s film was compared to Ford’s film series.

Image.

Since it brought that same energy to the big screen, Sky Captain quickly became dubbed as the modern heir to Indiana Jones.

With giant robots, mysterious villains, and daring escapes, the movie gave the same kind of old-school, thrilling fun that made Indiana Jones such a classic.

The 2004 movie wasn’t about being realistic, it was about being exciting and imaginative.

Just like Raiders of the Lost Ark, even Sky Captain appeared rooted in the pulp adventure serials of the 1930s and 1940s.

In fact, both movies delivered the same tropes—globe-trotting missions, mysterious villains, lost technologies, and exotic locales.

Plus, much like Indiana Jones delivered over-the-top scenes, Paltrow’s movie never apologized for embracing that same spirit.

Name of the Film
Directed By
Rotten Tomatoes Score
Box Office Collection

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Steven Spielberg
94%
$212.2 million

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Steven Spielberg
77%
$179.8 million

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Steven Spielberg
84%
$197.1 million

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Steven Spielberg
77%
$786.6 million

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
James Mangold
71%
$383.9 million

But in the end, while Indiana Jones witnessed an enduring legacy, Sky Captain faded into oblivion.

However, despite not being as legendary as Indiana Jones, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie’s movie carried the humorous, adventure spirit like Harrison Ford’s franchise.

Angelina Jolie Channeled Her Inner Nick Fury in the 71% RT Rated Spectacle

Meanwhile, in Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, Angelina Jolie, despite making a huge impact, only had a fleeting role as Commander Franky Cook.

She appeared as the eye-patched leader of a flying squadron who swoops in to help save the day.

With her military uniform, commanding voice, and cool attitude, Jolie instantly stood out.

Angelina Jolie as Commander Franky Cook in Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow | image: Paramount Pictures

In fact, her performance felt a lot like Samuel L.

Jackson’s Nick Fury from the Marvel movies—mysterious, tough, and always in control.

Considering how Fury and Cook were both side characters in their respective films, both characters gave the story a sense of authority and style that fans couldn’t help but notice.

Additionally, Angelina Jolie’s role as the squadron leader also fit perfectly with her history of action films.

After all, she had already made a name for herself as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider, starred in action thrillers like Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Salt, and carried several other big action movies on her shoulders, like a pro.

Therefore, in Sky Captain, even though her screen time was short, Jolie showed the same fierce charisma that made her one of Hollywood’s most iconic action stars.

Let us know in the comments if you’ve watched this iconic team-up between Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is currently available in the US on Paramount+, Netflix.