Disney’s track record with Lucasfilm franchises has been less than stellar since its acquisition in 2012. The Star Wars sequels left audiences disappointed, and the Willow series didn’t fare any better. Will Indiana Jones’ last outing turn things around?
Naturally, fans had reservations about a fifth Indiana Jones film, particularly with Disney at the helm. However, Disney managed to deliver a surprisingly entertaining film, which I’ll get into more detail in this review. Be warned, there might be a few minor spoilers ahead.
Dial of Destiny opens at the close of World War II, and unsurprisingly, Indiana Jones (who’s been digitally de-aged) finds himself entangled with the Nazis once more, but this time he’s joined by an old companion, Basil Shaw.
The Nazis have found the Spear of Destiny through the efforts of physicist Jurgen Voller and intend to present it as a gift to Hitler. However, Voller believes their attention is misdirected, as he believes the Archimedes Dial (or the Antikythera) is the key they need to shift the war’s momentum in their favor.
As fate would have it, a series of highly improbable events unfold culminating in an exhilarating 20-minute battle aboard a moving train between Indiana Jones, his loyal sidekick, and a battalion of Nazis, setting a remarkably high bar that the rest of the film struggles to match.
Fast-forward to 1969, a dozen years after the events of The Crystal Skull, and Indy has transformed into an aging college professor on the cusp of retirement. His days are now plagued by the presence of free-spirited hippie neighbors, who casually blast the Beatles at 8 in the morning, seemingly oblivious to the world around them.
Then enters Helena Shaw, his goddaughter and the daughter of his old pal, all grown up and bringing with her a world of trouble. She pretends to be working on her doctoral thesis about the Archimedes Dial, which Indy happens to possess, but in reality, she plans to sell it to the highest bidder.
Harrison Ford, who’s now in his golden years, plays the bullwhip-wielding Indy excellently. As a man aware of his diminishing relevance in a changing world, Indy gracefully accepts his place on the sidelines, acknowledging his age and limitations.
His co-star, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, brings a mix of brilliance and disappointment to the film as Helena. Initially, her character serves as a catalyst, reigniting Indy’s passion for adventure, but as the film progresses, she turns out to be a one-dimensional character whose only purpose is to patronize Indy as an irrelevant relic of the past.
To be fair, the film’s script is primarily to blame for not properly showcasing the brilliance of Indiana Jones as a character. Though Helena eventually forges a partnership with Indy, it feels forced and lacks genuine chemistry. Throughout the second act, she comes across as unlikable, making most of her jokes fall flat.
Sadly, it’s a missed opportunity for an actress who previously demonstrated her comedic talents in Fleabag. On the flip side, her sidekick, Teddy, proves to be a capable and complementary partner, reminiscent of Ke Huy Quan’s Short Round in Temple of Doom.
Mads Mikkelsen once again proves his exceptional talent by creating magic out of a cliched villain. Portraying the main antagonist, his powerful presence leaves a lasting impression, and I couldn’t be more pleased with how the script ingeniously reveals his character’s motivations (spoiler alert: he’s not your typical Nazi).
Apart from Antonio Banderas and John Rhys-Davies, the rest of the cast bounces in and out of the film without any significant screen presence, which is a shame, especially for the criminally underutilized Boyd Holbrook.
Ultimately, while James Mangold does a decent job in his first (and last) Indiana Jones film, Steven Spielberg’s absence is felt throughout the entire affair. With Harrison Ford bidding farewell to the iconic archaeologist, here’s hoping that Disney will take the hint and let the franchise come to a (somewhat) satisfying conclusion.
Verdict: 3.5/5
Have you watched Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny yet? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below, and remember, no spoilers unless you want to awaken the wrath of ancient curses!
