I remember being enamored by the adventurous, wondrous world of Indiana Jones since I first watched the series around half a decade ago. A wonderfully balanced mix of adventure, romance and action, the magic of Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford transported immediately whisked me away to Jones’ stories, going on to redefine my love of film and stoking an interest in film making.
15 years since Indiana Jones was last on screen, Harrison Ford returns to don his iconic fedora for the final time. Only this time I felt empty after having watched what transpired in the film, as if it was devoid of the magic that it was trying to recapture for the audience.
Set in 1969, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny follows our favorite archeologist-adventurer as he is thrust back into action with his goddaughter Helena to recover Archimedes’ Dial from a group of neo-Nazis trying to alter the outcome of World War II.
Directed by series newcomer James Mangold, Dial of Destiny reads on paper like a classic Indiana Jones tale, packed with tremendous set pieces and rousing adventure. While Mangold succeeds in emulating Spielberg’s visual style, he falls short in bring the thrilling emotion and energetic spirit that his predecessor so effortlessly brought to the series.
Likewise, Mangold attempts to bring the same vibe of “a hero’s end” that marked his much superior work, Logan. While that style fit perfectly with Wolverine’s swansong, the elements clash with Indiana Jones’ tonality and serve no purpose other than to rectify past creative errors and clean up loose story threads.
Add to the mix an muddled plot, thinly written supporting characters, CGI-riddled action sequences and an inconclusive climax, Dial of Destiny does not hold a candle to its predecessors and fails to justify its existence.
Despite its shortcomings, it is truly a joy to see Harrison Ford back as the titular lead. Ford brings an emotional undercurrent (as he, like us parts ways with this series) to his performance, where his character grapples with age, grief and regret, while simultaneously yearning the thrill and call of adventure. It is sincere and understated performance that allows us to see Indiana Jones from a new perspective.
A disappointing conclusion to a cornerstone of escapist cinema, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny succeeds in tipping its hat to the franchise legacy but never has its own head flying high as a competent, thrilling adventure picture.
Texts of A Pop Culture Buff 