Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny marks the end of an era for the beloved franchise, as it is set to be Harrison Ford’s final adventure as the iconic archaeologist. At eighty years old, Ford still manages to impress with his daring stunts and incredible physicality on screen. From climbing rock faces to leaping between buildings and even punching underwater eels, there is no denying that Ford’s Indiana Jones could still take on any challenge. Just be careful not to get too close or grab the seat next to him at Pret a Manger, as he could easily pluck your heart out just like one of his on-screen adversaries.
While it would have been interesting to see the film explore themes of aging and mortality or perhaps even poke fun at itself, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny largely sticks to its tried and tested formula. With James Mangold taking the directorial reins from Steven Spielberg, the film kicks off with a thrilling twenty-minute prologue set during the final days of the Third Reich in 1944 Germany. A young and de-aged Indiana Jones, portrayed by Ford, is on a mission to retrieve treasure plundered by the Nazis. This treasure happens to be the Dial of Destiny, an ancient artifact created by Archimedes that possesses the power to manipulate space and time.
Fast forward to 1969, and Jones is now residing in New York and preparing for retirement. Surprisingly, the film introduces a previously unmentioned friend and goddaughter in the form of Basil Shaw (Toby Jones) and Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), respectively. Helena seeks Indiana’s help in retrieving the Dial of Destiny, only to discover that the same Nazi commander from the prologue also has his eyes set on the artifact. This sets off a three-way battle of wits and action sequences that take our characters to various exotic locations such as Greece, Italy, and Tangiers.
Unfortunately, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny fails to deliver the tension and excitement that fans have come to expect from the franchise. The film primarily relies on a cycle of peril, narrow escapes, and moments of relief, leaving little room for substantial character development or intricate plot twists. Waller-Bridge’s character, intended to add a feminist touch, ultimately feels underutilized, transforming from a promising rogue into a generic action heroine.
Another disappointment comes in the form of the John Williams score, which is sparingly used throughout the film. The absence of this iconic soundtrack leaves a void that could have enhanced the overall viewing experience. In fact, it almost feels as if ChatGPT, an AI chatbot, wrote the script with lines like, It’s not what you believe, it’s how hard you believe it. The lack of depth and originality in the dialogue is evident.
Overall, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny feels like a missed opportunity. With this being the final installment in the franchise, fans had hoped for a more memorable and innovative conclusion to Indiana Jones’ adventures. Nevertheless, we bid farewell to our brave archaeologist and wish him a happy retirement, hoping he won’t be caught up in any legal disputes over the artifacts he has acquired over the years.
