The much-anticipated release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny has had fans brimming with excitement and curiosity. While the film managed to surpass the disappointing Crystal Skull, it falls short of reaching the heights of the original trilogy.
The film takes place in two different time periods: 1944 during World War II and 1969. In 1944, Indiana Jones and his colleague Basil Shaw (Toby Jones) are captured by Nazis while attempting to retrieve the holy Lance of Longinus. They discover that the Nazis possess half of Archimedes’ Dial, an ancient device that can lead users to fissures in time. Jones escapes with Basil and the Dial-half, leaping from a train just before it is destroyed by Allied bombers.
In 1969, we find Jones retired and separated from his wife Marion after the death of their son, Mutt (Shia LeBeouf), in the Vietnam War. His goddaughter Helena Shaw (Waller-Bridge), also an archaeologist, approaches him to research the Dial. Jones warns her of the dangers, as Basil had gone mad trying to unlock its secrets. However, Helena reveals that Basil gave Jones the Dial and asks for his help.
Jones and Helena retrieve the Dial-half from a college archive, but they are attacked by Voller’s henchmen. Voller, now working for NASA under a new identity, plans to use the Dial for his own purposes. Helena escapes with the Dial-half, intending to sell it on the black market. Jones seeks refuge with his old friend Sallah and embarks on a journey to recover the Dial and stop Voller.
The pursuit takes them to Tangier, where a chaotic chase ensues. Agent Mason, leading a CIA group assisting Voller, apprehends him but is killed by Voller’s men. Jones, Helena, and Helena’s sidekick Teddy Kumar track Voller to Greece, where they retrieve a tablet containing clues to the Dial’s other half. Renaldo, a deep-sea diver friend of Jones, is killed by Voller. They then travel to Archimedes’s tomb in Sicily.
Inside the tomb, Jones and Helena find the Dial’s other half and a wristwatch held by Archimedes’s skeleton. Voller captures Jones and Teddy, revealing his plan to time-travel back to 1939 and alter history. Using the Dial, Voller sets a course for a time fissure in the sky. Jones and Helena manage to escape the plane before it is shot down by warring Greek and Roman armies in 212 BC.
Jones, wounded but determined, wants to stay in the past, but Helena insists they return to their own time to avoid a paradox. They are aided by Archimedes, who finds Voller’s wristwatch and returns the 1969 Dial to Jones and Helena. They learn that the Dial only leads to 212 BC, as Archimedes created it to seek help from the future.
Back in 1969, Jones wakes up in his apartment and reunites with Helena, Teddy, Sallah, and Marion (Karen Allen), who returned to help him. In a private moment, Jones and Marion reconcile in one of the film’s touching moments.
Dial of Destiny exhibits a commendable improvement over its predecessor, with Harrison Ford reprising his iconic role as Indiana Jones. The de-aged Indy opening sequence serves as a pleasant surprise, blending well with the narrative. While we can see the painstaking work on de-aging Ford, it would have been nice to see the same care taken for Nazi villain Jürgen Voller played by Mads Mikkelsen.
The film maintains a steady pace, offering an enjoyable experience for the audience. Ford’s portrayal of Indy, when given the opportunity, remains compelling, evoking nostalgia and reminding viewers of his charisma and charm. However, there are too many old jokes. We get it, Ford and his alter-ego are 80. But the script pokes too much fun at it.
Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge injects vibrant energy into the film as Indy’s goddaughter, Helena Shaw, while Mads Mikkelsen delivers a captivating performance as Voller.
REELated:
One of the major shortcomings of Dial of Destiny lies in its execution of the time travel concept. Throughout the movie, there is a buildup of anticipation regarding Indiana Jones traveling back in time. However, the payoff fails to live up to expectations. Instead of revisiting iconic moments from Indy’s past adventures, such as obtaining the Ark of the Covenant or the Holy Grail, the film transports viewers to an ancient Roman battle, lacking the emotional investment necessary to captivate the audience.
Furthermore, the idea of Voller planning to travel back in time to kill Hitler is introduced, offering an intriguing possibility. However, this potential climax is ultimately discarded, leaving the characters separated and with nothing meaningful to contribute to the story.
The film’s third act suffers from a disappointing turn, akin to a sudden shift in tectonic plates. The missed opportunities and lackluster climax leave viewers yearning for a more engaging resolution to Indy’s latest adventure.
While Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny represents a step forward from the previous installment, it falls short of recapturing the magic of the original trilogy. The film benefits from solid performances by Ford, Waller-Bridge, and Mikkelsen, along with a decent pace that keeps the audience engaged.
However, the movie’s failure to fully explore the time travel concept and capitalize on nostalgic moments from Indy’s past adventures proves to be a missed opportunity. The lackluster third act, characterized by an unfulfilling climax and an abrupt shift in narrative, leaves viewers disappointed.
In the end, Dial of Destiny leaves Indiana Jones in a satisfactory place, but the lingering wish remains that the filmmakers had utilized their own Dial of Destiny to revise and enhance the film’s final act.
BOTTOM LINE: If you’re a die-hard Indy fan then this is a REEL SEE. If not wait for streaming.
The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
