Well, everyone, today, we have finally reached what is said to be the final chapter of the Indiana Jones film franchise. Okay, yes, the film did come out a few weeks ago. Still, today, I am finally giving you all a review of that film. So now, let’s discuss Indiana Jones & The Dial Of Destiny, starring Harrison Ford as the star of this saga, Indiana Jones himself.
Plot: Set first in 1944, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), and his colleague, and traveling companion, Basil Shaw (Tony Jones) are searching for an ancient object that was made by mathematician Archimedes (at least in this film). The object, known as the ancient Dial Of Destiny, is said to allow the person that uses it to travel back to different points in time of history. Twenty-five years later, in 1969, when Neil Armstrong is to be there first astronaut to land on the moon, the Nazis, led by German leader Jurgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), attempt to gain control of it for themselves. Now, can Indiana Jones, and his goddaughter, Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), reclaim the object, keep it from the Nazis, and keep them from using it to go back, and attempt to change history?
Well, as I’m sure many of us know, Indiana Jones & The Dial Of Destiny is said to be the final chapter of the Indiana Jones film franchise. If that is in fact the case, did this film go out with a bang? Was it as good as the other films in this franchise? Well, one can say, for the most part, yes to the first question. In answer to the second question, it may not have reached the brilliance of Raiders Of The Lost Ark, nor the grandness of The Last Crusade. Still, it had better pacing, and more memorable characters than that of The Temple Of Doom, and better writing than The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. That all being said, there is the elephant in the room that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. It’s the whole deal with how Indiana Jones’ character was handled in this film. I know that there were some people that were spreading rumors that Indiana Jones was going to be turned into this pathetic old man, and that his character would be replaced with a strong female lead, making this film woke. Okay, here’s something that I would like to say to that, especially after seeing this movie a couple weeks ago. First of all, I am sick, and tired of some people bashing films like the newer Little Mermaid simply because Ariel was played by a black female, or because there was a new rap song in that remake, or things like that. Again, the one thing that could be woke was Ariel’s sisters being made of different nationalities. Other than that, I’m not sure it was worth bashing that film, especially since the cast did a great job with their respective roles. Why am I bringing that up in this review, you may ask? Well, that leads me to my second point about that whole deal. The deal about the filmmakers making Indiana Jones being made into this pathetic old man, and some bull crap like that. Well, here’s what I have to say. First of all, Harrison Ford’s character, Indiana Jones, did seem to act like an older gentlemen. Still, there’s a reason. Clearly, it was not to make this film woke like some people are claiming to be the case. Guys, it would seem it’s because, well, Harrison Ford just turned 80 years old last year. Let’s not forget that the first three Indiana Jones films were released throughout the 1980s, when Harrison Ford was in his 40s, followed by Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull in 2008, when he was in his 60s. Now, Skull may have been released 15 years ago. Still, at 80 years old, or possibly in one’s 60s, how often has one heard of an 80-year-old person, or even a 60-year-old performing certain stunts, or dance moves, or more as well as say someone in their 40s? If someone around that age has done so successfully, please let me know. All to say, please, please, please STOP saying that this movie is woke, or that Indiana Jones is made into this pathetic person because of that. Yes, Indiana Jones did not move about as well in this movie as he did in previous films. Still, let’s try to consider this from Harrison Ford’s perspective, and try to imagine being around his age, along with considering when the first three Indiana Jones films were released, and this new Indiana Jones movie being released. Not to mention that this film did take place years after the first three films. Anyway, moving on from there! As mentioned before, Indiana Jones & The Dial Of Destiny was a huge improvement from Indiana Jones & The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. First of all, the writing, and storyline were really well done. This time, the characters are much more interesting, and memorable this time around. Yes, there were some newer characters introduced like there have been in the other films. Bye even then, they were interesting. It was especially cool to see Antonio Banderas be in this film as a frogman named Renaldo. Of course, we also have old friends like John Rhys-Davies as Sallah, Toby Jones as Basil Shaw, Indiana Jones’ Oxford colleague. There’s also Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Helena Shaw, Jones’ goddaughter. But one of the major highlights of Indiana Jones & The Dial Of Destiny is Mads Mikkelsen as the main villain of this film, a German scientist, astrophysicist, and former German Nazi named Jurgen Voller. First off, Mads Mikkelsen has done phenomenal at anything he’s been in, whether it was being a protagonist in Star Wars: Rogue One, being a minor villain in the Fantastic Mr. Beasts from last year, and more. Well, he was great as Voller in this film. This villain has charisma, is crafty, and has basically all the ingredients that make a great villain. And again, the other characters are memorable, and ones that you either love, or love to hate. Considering that the last Indiana Jones movie didn’t have as many memorable characters, or as strong of a storyline, that’s saying plenty. As for Helena Shaw, Sallah, and more, need I say more? The score by John Williams was also really good. That is especially since he hasn’t scored in quite nearly as many films as of lately, that’s saying plenty. Then, there’s the storyline. It is probably the one film of this franchise that has this creative blend of present elements, and potential futuristic elements, and having them out together. Also, having an item like the Dial Of Destiny, let’s just say that it was brilliant, and creative how that item was used in this film. The movie was also really heartwarming, and had plenty of heart put in. It’s obvious that the filmmakers were trying to go out with a bang. Yes, there were times were the movie felt heavy-handed. Still, there was a good reason for those moments, especially since it helped to further develop either Jones, or any of the secondary characters. There were also some interesting themes, and discussions that occurred throughout this film. Oh, and there were some aspects that occurred around the third act, and near the end, in which I found myself thinking that these aspects could easily be taken from either a secular perspective, as well as a Christian one. Oh, and finally, and this is one of the best parts, there are no horror like elements in this one like there were in the previous movies. Sure, the closest thing to something like that would be when a character is covered in blood. Still, there’s no character that gets disfigured, melts, or anything like that this time around. Could that be because there were quite a few people that were upset that particular aspect of the previous films? You got me!
With all of that said, is there anything negative about this film? Well, there is one thing that degrades this film from an A+. It’s the ending. Oh, don’t get me wrong, it was a good ending, as well as a surprising, and satisfactory one at that. Still, it did feel like the ending did feel somewhat rushed. It wasn’t bad. It just could have been extended a little bit longer. But hey, on the brighter side, the ending was cute as well.
And that’s my review for Indiana Jones & The Dial Of Destiny. I’m the end, I can see why this Indiana Jones movie was made. For it being 2 1/2 hours long, it was worth it being that long for having a strong storyline, stronger, and more likable characters, a rather heartwarming story as well, and more than one could ask for. Honestly, even if COVID factored in this film’s release date getting postponed, it was certainly worth the wait from the last film that was released 15 years ago. You can tell that the filmmakers were trying to make this film as good as possible. If you haven’t seen this movie, please, go, and see it. Also, for crying out loud, please DO NOT listen to the naysayers that may have tried to discourage others from seeing this movie. It has everything one could ask for in a good movie, and more. See it with an open mind, and see what you yourself think, if you still have yet to see it. So, go see it, and enjoy 2 1/2 hours of more fun with Indiana Jones, and some of the old gang, plus some new faces!
Final Grade: A
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