An admirable effort at closing off a long-standing film franchise.
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It’s been 15 years since we last saw Harrison Ford don his iconic fedora as Indiana Jones. Now he's back in the saddle for one last ride.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny starts off in 1944 during World War II where we see our protagonist (Ford) and his colleague Basil Shaw (Toby Jones) in Europe recovering artifacts stolen by the Nazis. They prevent Nazi scientist Jürgen Voller (an effortless Mads Mikkelsen), from obtaining the Archimedes Dial–a device capable of time travel.
Cut to twenty five years later, the U.S. government has recruited former Nazis to help beat the Soviet Union in the Space Race. Jones is forced into retirement from his teaching position because of his opposition to the practice. Voller is now a NASA member and ex-Nazi involved with the Apollo Moon-landing program. The latter wishes to make the world into a better place as he sees fit by obtaining the dial, pitting him up against Jones once again. Basil's daughter and Jones's goddaughter, Helena Shaw (Fleabag breakout Phoebe Waller-Bridge), accompanies Jones on his journey for the Archimedes Dial.
It’s almost sad to see how Ford (who turns 81 this year) has aged, it’ll be criminal to have him return for more so it’s only fitting The Dial of Destiny is the action star’s swan song as the titular protagonist. The stark contrast is made more apparent in this film with its incredible use of de-aging CGI featured in the scenes set in the 40s.
Ford may be the star of the show but Waller-Bridge–whose charisma and on-screen chemistry with virtually anyone she shares screentime with–is the true driving force that stops the film from a standstill. Even Mikkelsen, whose natural villainy is his defining film trait, fails to outmatch her prowess here.
Indiana Jones is an action adventure franchise that doesn’t shy away from defying logic and it’s no different here. Playing into familiar tropes explored in its past films, The Dial of Destiny contributes little to reinvigorating the franchise but where it lacks in freshness, it makes up with exhilirating action and thrilling chases.
Legendary composer John Williams score remains one of the best things about the franchise. His work here builds the right amount of tension and excitement that marries perfectly with Phedon Papamichael’s cinematography.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny may not be the best film of its franchise but it’s a reminder that Indiana Jones is and will remain an iconic figure in film history.
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