IT'S just over ten years since Cineworld in Ipswich's Cardinal's Park opened. And for deputy general manager Andy Reed the return of Indiana Jones to the silver screen is going to be a highlight of 2008.

James Marston

IT'S just over ten years since Cineworld in Ipswich's Cardinal's Park opened.

And for deputy general manager Andy Reed the return of Indiana Jones to the silver screen is going to be a highlight of 2008.

He said: “We are delighted to announce we are hosting one of the first nationwide screenings of the new Indiana Jones film, the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull on Thursday at just after midnight.

“We are expecting great things from this eagerly awaited movie which, once again, brings together, motion picture heavy weights Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford.

“We are hopeful it will become one of, if not the most successful film, shown here at Cineworld Ipswich in the ten years we have been open.”

Andy, who has been deputy general manager for the last five-and-a-half years, said staff would be dressing up in Indiana Jones costumes for the occasion.

He added: “Everybody loves a block buster on the scale of Indiana Jones. It is what cinema is made for. George Lucas' last effort, the completion of the Star Wars series created a fantastic buzz around the cinema with staff and customers wearing Obi-Wan Kinobi robes and wielding light sabres.

“This year will be no different and once again our staff will be making the effort.”

When Harrison Ford dons the trademark wide-brimmed fedora and cracks the bullwhip as everyone's favourite archaeology professor on May 22 in the eagerly anticipated Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull, it will be the culmination of more than 15 years of script rewrites and behind-the-scenes disagreements.

Andy said: “The midnight screening gives fans a unique chance to see the film first, before it opens on the Thursday afternoon.

“These screenings are great fun to attend and work as they really seem to bring out the excitement of a major blockbuster.”

The fourth instalment in Steven Spielberg's blockbusting adventure series began to take shape in the early 90s, shortly after the release of Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade in which Indiana and his cantankerous father (Sean Connery) wrested the Holy Grail

Cineworld has ten pairs of tickets to give away to Evening Star readers. See Friday's Star for details.