Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Starring Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, Ethann Isidore
Directed by James Mangold
During the waning months of World War II, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and his partner Basil Shaw (Toby Jones) manage to steal one half of the Antikythera (also known as Archimedes' Dial) from Jurgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), who wants to use its power to go back in time so the Nazis win WWII. Indy keeps hold of the artifact after Basil loses his mind over it, worried that if it falls into the wrong hands it'll lead to historical catastrophe. He keeps it under lock and key until 1969, when he's about to retire from teaching but is approached by Basil's now-grown daughter (and Indy's goddaughter) Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) who wants the piece to sell. She draws the attention of Voller and his men, leading her and Indy on a quest to find the other half of the Dial before Voller does, and so they can save history from being changed indefinitely.
The Good:
After the disaster that was "CS" (I'm calling "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" "CS" from now on because this isn't an essay that needs three hundred words), it was great seeing Harrison Ford return to his legendary role and also appear to actually enjoy it. Here he's not battling aliens but good ole-fashioned Nazis in the quest for another lost relic, akin to the 80s that we know and love. Although much older, Ford still has what it takes to lead the actioneer, due to his youthful vigor for the role. He could've easily coasted through the performance, but you sense his total commitment to the bit, seeing it through to the very end, giving us a loving and memorable sendoff that'll wipe any negative thoughts of "CS" from our collective memory.
"Logan" director James Mangold is no stranger to telling the final chapter of unforgettable characters, as he gave Hugh Jackman's Logan a proper sendoff (until Ryan Reynolds dragged him into "Deadpool 3," to which I'm eternally grateful), and now helps us bid adieu to Indiana Jones in the most appropriate way possible. He doesn't shy away from Indy's age, but doesn't do so for comedic purposes entirely (although the humor is there). Instead he focuses not on his age, but how time has in a sense gotten away from him. Indy is now teaching college students who look as interested in his lectures as a vegan is interested in learning about how hamburgers are made, and he seems like a lost relic. It's no coincidence that the MacGuffin here is an artifact that can literally make you go back in time, as Indy would probably love to return to his younger self. Yet as it is, he also showcases dramatic chops that serves as an emotional center to the film that comes out halfway through. We learn about what happened to Marion, and to his son, and how his decisions have shaped his own destiny. This all is due to Mangold's impeccable direction, and if anyone could pick up where Spielberg left off, he could - and did.
"Bads" Mads Mikkselsen (I call him "Bads" not because he's a bad actor, but because he pretty much only plays bad guys) again plays the arch-type he's best known for, and that's a merciless yet charismatic villain. He's not the one-note, mustache-twirling baddie but one with charisma and charm as he sets out to reclaim the world for the Nazis. His talent is unparalleled, and having him in this film is a welcome addition to the franchise.
The action sequences send us back to the classic era of Indy, with exciting chases through Tangier, boat explosions over the Aegean, and epic airplane fights that come after a classic train fighting sequence that hearkened back to the classic 80s nostalgia equipped with a de-aged Ford (that, surprisingly, didn't look as bad as I thought it would).
The Bad:
The overall story is one you've seen before, most notably in other Indiana Jones films but also any film of this genre like "The Mummy" or "Uncharted" where the heroes go in search of the fabled relic, while being hunted by the bad guys, and as they find the piece they're looking for the bad guys arrive in time to take it before they stage an escape to search for another part of what they're looking for and the bad guys again arrive in record time to take it before, again, another escape ensues. You can predict every beat by the second, but thankfully the nostalgia keeps it alive and vigorous rather than tedious and monotonous.
One of the main problems "CS" had was Shia LaBeouf as Ford's son. He was whiny, he was annoying, and he was just terrible in every way. It was almost impossible to top his disastrous performance, but by golly did Phoebe Waller-Bridges try. Her version of Helena Shaw was irritating at the core. She didn't care about history but wanted to make a quick buck, she was out for herself, and she seemed moreso to be Indy's antagonist than ally. While LaBeouf still reigns supreme, Waller-Bridges takes the silver.
The Verdict:
Giving our beloved Indiana Jones the sendoff he deserves, "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" might not be a perfect film, but it's head and shoulders better than that 2008 film we will not utter in polite company.
The Score: A
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