MOVIE REVIEW: INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY

 

Daredevil archaeologist Indiana Jones races against time to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history. Accompanied by his goddaughter, he soon finds himself squaring off against Jürgen Voller, a former Nazi who works for NASA.

Director: James Mangold

Cast: Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Ethann Isidore, Mads Mikkelsen, John Rhys-Davies, Karen Allen

Release Date: June 30, 2023 

Genre: Action, Adventure

Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, language and smoking

Runtime: 2h 34m

Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny is a perfectly capable send off for the legendary character even though it does feel like a band on their farewell tour playing all the greatest hits.  James Mangold does his best Spielberg by delivering the kind of action set pieces you'd expect in an Indy feature, the extended opening is well done but the de aging technology still looks a bit odd in extended use.  The film rarely drags except for a few spots here and there that could have been cut to make it a more efficient experience.  It’s all enjoyable but like the script it’s all incredibly familiar on multiple levels.  There are bits about age and regret interwoven throughout the story but none of it is particularly revelatory.  The addition of his goddaughter, played with appropriate spunk by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, feels like a redo of the much-maligned character from Crystal Skull, Indy's son Mutt Williams.  Helena Shaw's character veers closer to being a mirror image of Indy and their interplay is fun thanks in large part to the actor’s natural chemistry together.  Harrison Ford puts the fedora back on with general ease which shouldn't come as a shock to anyone.  Ford's general gruffness works well with the character at this point in his life so much so that you sort of wonder if he's even acting or just being himself.  He clearly enjoys being back in the saddle one last time even though the film doesn't cover any new territory.  Mads Mikkelsen and Boyd Holbrook villainous character are broadly drawn and don't really make for very interesting adversaries.  Mikkelsen, for his part, does what he can with the character but you really get the feeling he was dying for a beefier role.  The same is true of Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny as a whole, it ultimately serves as comfort food for long time fans of the character who wanted just one more taste before saying goodbye.    

C+