For as long as cinema and adventure have coexisted and collaborated, film buffs and movie fans have known the name "Indiana Jones" and the man who has put on the hat, cracked that whip, and fought Nazis and evil men to save the world while searching for fortune and glory at the same time. I can confidently say that even as the passage of time goes and actors we know age and get older, that role is and forever will be associated with Harrison Ford - who returns once again to the iconic role in this fifth instalment that serves as the final chapter and bookend to a saga that began with 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and has continued through the decades with a handful of sequels and spin-offs in all forms of media.
Growing up watching Indiana Jones films beginning with "Temple of Doom" and of course "The Last Crusade", I've always been fascinated with Professor Henry Walton Jones, Jr.'s exploits and history - particularly when he's at a situation where he's just after ancient artifacts or civilizations for the sake of adventure or simply trying to put it where it belongs... In a museum for the world to appreciate and see. It also helps that the character is a nerd and has a sense for adventure, while also figuring out things as he goes and doesn't necessarily have the answers but manages to get them in the nick of time to save himself, the girl, or those that he considers friends and loved ones.
In the Dial of Destiny we see that spark emerge for one final adventure, and thanks to Walt Disney Studios Philippines, Stratworks, and Ayala Cinemas I was able to catch the special advance screening of the movie - and I honestly enjoyed the ride and found it a pretty good send-off for the character. Here's my thoughts and review on the long awaited sequel below - and naturally here's a SPOILER WARNING so read at your own risk or better yet watch the film first before diving in!
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny | Official Trailer
Set mostly during the end of the 1960's during the Space Race era but also featuring a flashback sequence set in 1944, Indy's latest adventure sees him dealing with Nazis who are after the Antikythera Mechanism, also known as the Archimedes Dial and a device that seemingly holds the power to locate fissures in time. Now in his old age and coming to terms with his life, regrets, and legacy, Indy is thrust back into the world of fortune and glory by the most unlikely person - his goddaughter Helena Shaw who shares his passion for exploration and has her own sense of adventure. Together they must face relics of the past and prevent ex-Nazis from getting the Dial of Destiny and using it to change the world as they see fit.
As the first Indiana Jones film that is not directed by Steven Spielberg, handled by George Lucas, and is the first sequel done since Disney acquired Lucasfilm, the Dial of Destiny is indeed a love letter to fans and is directed by James Mangold - a man who definitely understands the character and what he needs to do during the twilight of his adventuring career. Having experience with Hugh Jackman’s time as Wolverine and telling a very compelling and emotional journey for that character with “Logan”, Mangold does the same for Indy in this sequel but in a much more lighthearted tone with the passage of time giving us a much more disillusioned hero who is looking for something to give his life meaning again.
Harrison Ford plays the part well once more by essentially acting as himself while being Indiana Jones. Years of playing a character we’ve come to know and love in the big screen have served him decades of experience as well as love and respect from audiences - and he brings his A-game giving us an aged yet still very heroic Indy who is always trying to do the right thing.
Joining him in this adventure and injecting life and energy into this sequel is Phoebe Waller-Bridge - who plays Indy’s goddaughter Helena Shaw. She’s very much like her godfather and acts with her own sense of adventure and rebelliousness. Their dynamic together is what carries the film and is easily one of the highlights. Of course, we have the ever so talented Mads Mikkelsen playing the villain of this story in Jurgen Voller - a former Nazi scientist obsessed with getting the Dial of Destiny and correcting the mistakes Hitler made in the past that lost them the war. Then we also have familiar faces returning like
John Rhys-Davies as Sallah and newcomers like Boyd Holbrook and Antonio Banderas joining the sequel and making it another star-studded entry in the franchise.
No Indiana Jones film is complete without that epic score and “Raiders March” theme that’s once again provided by legendary composer John Williams. He pretty much makes every Indy movie a gripping and exciting adventure to experience, and he’s back on his A-game providing the score to the Dial of Destiny. It’s also recommended that you catch the film at the best theater with the best sound and atmosphere you can find. If you can swing by IMAX even better - this is an adventure to behold in the format!
As far as some reservations go, I’d have to say that some pacing issues do plague Dial of Destiny. It takes a while to build up and get to the meat of the action, and those who have never seen an Indiana Jones film may need to revisit those adventures before jumping on to this one to get emotionally invested in the character. The deaging of Harrison Ford’s face to make the flashback sequences didn’t bother me at all, but it may take some getting used to for those who aren’t quite convinced using CGI technology to digitally restore a character to their prime. Other than that this film is a solid sequel, and I think it serves as a good finish to Ford’s career and time as one of cinema’s greatest heroes and icons.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is now showing in cinemas c/o Walt Disney Studios and Stratworks.
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