Iconic film star Harrison Ford returns as the man with the hat for one last adventure in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny from Walt Disney Pictures. James Mangold, an Academy Award nominee, has now taken over the film series previously directed by Steven Spielberg.
Spielberg saw the need for a new filmmaker to provide a fresh perspective. However, Spielberg, franchise creator, and
Long-time series screenwriter George Lucas remains the executive producer. Mangold, Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, and David Koepp pen the film’s screenplay, which will serve as Ford’s final portrayal of the archaeologist.
Opening in 1944, American archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones helps colleague Basil Shaw (Toby Jones) stop Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), a Nazi, from obtaining a mysterious dial known as the Antikythera. Twenty-five years later, in 1969, Jones is uneasy over the fact that the U.S. government had recruited former Nazis to help beat the Soviet Union in the competition to make it to space.
Making matters worse, Jones is about to be forced into retirement from his teaching position because of his opposition to the practice. He has also become somewhat embittered by his wife Marion (Karen Allen), who is considering divorce for reasons involving their son Mutt and the Vietnam War. Wanting to reclaim his glory days, Jones decides to find the dial with his godchild and Basil’s daughter Helena Shaw (Phoebe Mary Waller-Bridge), who accompanies him on his journey.
Also along for the ride are old chum Sallah (John Rhys-Davies) and new ones like Renaldo (Antonio Banderas) and government agent Mason (Shaunette Renée Wilson). Indy’s last adventure will be one for the ages. Meanwhile, former for and Nazi Voller is now involved with the Apollo Moon-landing program and wishes to make the world into a better place as he sees fit with the assistance of his brute right-hand man Klaber (Boyd Holbrook).
From films and theme park rides to parodies, the Indiana Jones franchise was crucial to growing up in the eighties. I still remember countless views of the first two films on HBO and the joy of seeing the third on the big screen in 1989. And while Ford’s last go-round wasn’t as well received by the fans, it was still a fun time.
In hindsight, the same vibe may carry over to Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Walking into the film, I took into account Harrison’s Ford age of eighty and the change in director. James Mangold, the director of Logan, faces a daunting challenge following in the footsteps of Spielberg, no matter how successful his previous work may have been.
Fortunately, Mangold has ventured into different genres and produced a delightful movie for Indiana Jones enthusiasts. This film features all the beloved elements of the franchise, including John Williams’s score, a humorous sidekick, and a villainous Nazi. The supporting actors deliver expectedly solid performances, with Waller-Bridge as an admirable successor. Mads Mikkelsen portrays a captivating antagonist, and the screenplay avoids excessively relying on Indy’s invincibility.
However, I see some viewers finding issues in the pacing and the de-aging of Ford in the opening sequence. Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing Dr. Jones on screen one last time.
Final Grade: B
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny opens in theaters on Thursday, June 29th.
