Indiana Jones is back for one final adventure, and it’s a worthy installment – and conclusion – to one of the most storied movie franchises in history.
Dial of Destiny is set in 1969, in a world vastly different than the one that Jones used to know. It’s a time of great exploration and potential, and with man landing on the moon the possibilities for what’s next are seemingly endless. The future is the focus, with little regard shown for the past. That’s something felt by an archaeology professor like Dr. Jones, but it’s also something he experiences personally: the world, it seems, has moved beyond him.
Which is why Archimedes’ dial, the Antikythera, is a perfect relic to drive the movie’s plot, an artifact that’s rumored to have time-bending potential. The new cast members are all after it, particularly Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelson) and Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge). Voller feels like such a natural addition to this franchise, fitting in alongside previous Nazi villains – but this time, the lines between good and evil have been blurred. Voller works for the United States government and was instrumental in the space race (a concept rooted in real history), which masks some of his true intentions early on. Helena Shaw likewise feels like she immediately fits in with this franchise, and as the ‘sidekick’ to Indy she feels both familiar and fresh. Like previous cast members she accompanies Jones on the journey, but her motivations are her own, and along the course of the film she has to learn some lessons that might be quite familiar to fans of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Both, it turns out, have a history with Indy. During World War II, Indy stole part of the dial from Voller while working alongside Basil Shaw, Helena’s father. Because of this history, Jones is pulled into the quest. What follows is classic Indiana Jones: there are tons of puzzles and chases, plenty of action and adventure, and a story of history mixed with fantasy – all leading to a final act that’s the most ambitious leap the franchise has ever taken. But it’s a satisfying payoff, and this film is a very fun Indiana Jones adventure. I’m not sure how successfully the film will win over viewers who aren’t already fans, in the way that Raiders or Crusade might, but those who love the series will surely find plenty of reason to love this film too. It’s a classic Indiana Jones adventure that feels right at home, and gives audiences a fun time.
And, of course, at the very heart of this film is Indy himself. In every single Indiana Jones movie, the hero doesn’t walk away with the prized artifact; instead, he walks away with a deeper lesson that he’s learned thanks to the quest. This one is no different, and while I won’t spoil it, it’s incredibly poignant. Dial of Destiny deals with the humanity of our titular hero in a deeper way than any other installment, and it gives us a chance to see our hero dealing with pain, grief, and age. It doesn’t ignore it, doesn’t ask the audience to suspend belief while watching an 80-year old action hero like nothing’s changed, doesn’t pretend that it’s the same as Raiders. And I think that’s where the movie’s strengths really lie: it knows what it is, and what it isn’t. This movie was never going to be Raiders of the Lost Ark or The Last Crusade, and those who go into it expecting that will inevitably be disappointed. Yes, this movie is about that same hero, but it lets him be human in a way we haven’t seen before. It works splendidly, thanks in large part to Harrison Ford. He’s as great as ever in this film, possessing his typical charisma while conveying the weight Indy carries. That’s especially true as the movie goes on, and there are a handful of moments in the third act in particular where he really shines.
After a thrilling opening flashback sequence, featuring a younger Indy in the best ILM’s de-aging technology has ever looked, we jump forward to find our hero older, broken down by pain and grief, struggling to fit in to the modern world. While the rest of the culture is focused on the future, Indy’s stuck in the past – and not just because he’s an archaeologist. He’s not the same hero we’re used to, and as the movie unfolds it becomes clear why. This movie honors the past of the franchise and is filled with nostalgic highlights, but the movie isn’t bound by the past – and that’s what allows director James Mangold the chance to explore an older Indiana Jones. As the journey goes on, the Indy we know and love returns, and he comes to embrace that he still has a purpose. He can’t change the past, but he can still impact the present and shape the future.
Dial of Destiny doesn’t land every punch like Raiders, but it’s an exciting and fun adventure full of nostalgia and heart. It’s a satisfying send-off to one of cinema’s greatest characters, made possible by a typically-great performance by one of cinema’s greatest actors. If you’re a fan of the franchise, you’ll find plenty here to love.
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