by Jack Bottomley
We are arguably at a crisis point in blockbuster cinema, more franchises are struggling, more surefire formulas are needing tweaking, and what once was a dead cert is becoming a gamble. So amidst all this, we see a familiar silhouette of a big screen icon return. In a summer that already brought Michael Keaton’s caped crusader back into action, Harrison Ford dusts off the fedora to return as whip-cracking hero Indiana Jones in his final adventure.
No doubt about it, this film has a lot of work to do, with its mighty budget in tow, and coming after 15 years of bubbling and simmering unwarranted hatred of his last outing in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (which has likely contributed to some pithy reviews). But, as the 80-year-old star (that grail water clearly does wonders!) is back in action in his swan-song to one of his greatest roles, this time James Mangold (Logan) takes the directorial reigns, with franchise innovators Steven Spielberg and George Lucas producing, and living legend John Williams scoring. If Indy is going out, he’s sure going out in a blaze of glory, but is it more blaze or glory?
Well, far be it from us to question people, but we’d recommend ignoring those nonsensical calls of “non-stop fan service” and “hollow filmmaking”, dear readers, because this is not the film we saw. Maybe some are reviewing those story ‘leaks’ instead of the actual story here, because The Dial of Destiny delivers a perfect finale to cinema’s greatest hero. This fun, thrilling and adorably wacky adventure sees Ford’s legendary cinema explorer roped back into a quest for an ancient device that can quite literally alter the course of history. And, yes, stopping some remnants of the Nazis from getting their hands on it, during the elation of the space race era. Cue the punches, the music and the archaeology!
Dial of Destiny is a magical slice of good old adventure cinema, the kind they just don’t make on this sort of scale anymore. It’s a film that peppers its plot with some artefacts for fans to savour, of course, but they are just fun finds and tips of the hat in a film that stands on its own two feet overall. Director James Mangold has crafted a film so unmistakably right for this character. A film proudly distinctive and even defiant, not overloading on references and IP mugging, and just telling a bloody good Indiana Jones story, with some admirable and successful wild narrative swings.
A story with a massive heart at the centre of its treasure map, Dial of Destiny is a tale of ageing and growing out of whack with the world around you, one so many of us – younger or older – will recognise, but is also a film about the impact of grief, the weight of history (past, present, and future) and the importance of creating generational bonds in our lives.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge is brilliant as the flawed, feisty and resourceful Helena, giving us another fantastic leading lady in a franchise full of them, while a menacing Mads Mikkelsen offers a villain completely the right fit for this adventure, giving the central concept a dark yang to our heroes’ yin. Young Ethann Isidore is also fantastic in what may deservingly be a breakout role. But Harrison Ford is, of course, the standout of the show, as he should well be. His final performance in this role of a lifetime was contemplative, moving, funny, and he rolled off the years like dusting the shoulder of that jacket. He is still the man and still the true spirit of adventure on the silver screen.
A rollicking, wild, and memorable final Indiana Jones story, Dial of Destiny deserves to be seen, loved, and seen again (and again). From the tech-assisted opening wonders, to a beautiful and poignant climax that will have you wiping the tears away, this film could not have given us a better summer treat. All backed by John Williams’ musical genius, and simply phenomenal score… once again.
Indiana Jones and The Dial Of Destiny is pure adventure cinema firing on cylinders old and new, James Mangold has done the character, the franchise, and its originators proud with a film that deserves to live forever and join the other movies in cinema history. Don’t let tired online ‘discourse’ discourage you from what is a fabulous, distinctive, and fitting finale to one of cinema’s greatest heroes.
In other words: this blockbuster season, please choose wisely! Choose the film of the summer. Choose Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny.
INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY is in UK Cinemas from Wednesday, June 28th!
