Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is the swan song for the adventure franchise starring Harrison Ford, and despite enormous expectations and having James Mangold (Logan) as director instead of stalwart Steven Spielberg, the film works nicely as a proper sendoff for fans.
As World War II ends, Nazis hoard valuable artifacts including a mysterious ‘Dial’ coveted by a German doctor (Mads Mikkelsen making a grand villain) and Indiana Jones (Ford impressively de-aged). Flashing forward to 1969 as Americans celebrate the moon landing, Indy, a newly retired professor, runs into his goddaughter, Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge does well here) seeking the legendary Dial for her own agenda. Unfortunately other people are in pursuit especially ruthless Nazis and an old foe, and Indy becomes a fugitive who follows Helena to Tangier where they discover more clues to the Dial’s secrets including its potential power. When Indy and Helena find the astonishing truth, it threatens to alter the course of history.
There are some good (and not so good) action scenes, and though it doesn’t always work, the film does function as an engaging mystery on its way to a roaring finish. You would think after supernatural relics involving an Ark, mystical stones, Holy Grail, and crystal skulls, there wouldn’t be much more to explore. Wrong! The Dial has an impressive pedigree (that requires some suspension of disbelief) and is a worthy addition to the Indy canon.
With
welcome callbacks and old faces, the story comes full circle in a satisfying,
emotional conclusion. Sure, some scenes are silly and preposterous, but it
works, and with John Williams’ robust score and an older Ford comfortably
inhabiting one of his greatest roles one last time, this is an Indy to
appreciate and enjoy.
**** of ***** stars
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