Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

By: Dana Jacoviello

It has been years since we had the last installment of the Indian Jones series, and here we are over a decade later with the fifth movie. My first thought when Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny started was, “Is this going to hold my attention?” It did not, but then something happened. I kept watching and when I really sat down to watch this movie with no interruptions, I realized maybe that was it. It began to get interesting to where I wanted to see where this movie years later was going to take us. Would it be as good, adventurous, and full of surprises and insane action? You can’t really go wrong with any Harrison Ford movie, but this is especially so with Indiana Jones as an iconic and classic role such as this. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is a great deal of nostalgia for those who grew up watching these stories. 

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will bring you surprises for sure. It will also summon a plethora of emotions from serious to teary eyed to giggling. The dry funny humor in this movie adds even more fun to the adventure the new cast embarks on. We all remember “Wombat?” Well, she is back, and all grown up now (played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge). And we get to see some of those familiar faces we all adore. John Rhys Davies as Sallah and Karen Allen as Marion. Mostly set in Sicily, it is exciting to watch Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) as a professor who decides to get back in the saddle after several years away from the dangers that is Indiana Jones – the one we all know and love. Yet, here we are as he finds himself thrown into the fire pit of an adventure to save the world once again. 

The cast of Indiana Jones over all these years has changed, with the exception of those staples of the series. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter and familial aspect of Wombat, a/k/a Helena Shaw. Indiana Jones is her godfather, her father having passed, but it is not what you expect at the beginning. Waller-Bridge did a fantastic job entering with this epic storytelling. The relationship between Harrison Ford, Indiana Jones, and Helena, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, is a love hate one at best. But the growth is heartwarming to watch. Loved seeing Antonio Banderas, who played Renaldo, join this film, even if it was just for a short stint. It was a nice addition. That being said, Ethan Isidore, who played Teddy Kumar, was a shining star. His performance was stellar and an adoring and fun character that reminds you of the relationship between Indiana Jones and Short Round (Ke Huy Quan) from Temple of Doom. Lastly, the music is always on point in these films. The theme music for these films has never failed. 

James Mangold, the director, did a brilliant job taking the reins from Steven Spielberg. Those are some big shoes to fill in a proper way with these films. The audience holds these movies in high standard and once that is ruined, you have a lot of angry film goers. Mangold captures that old Indiana Jones feeling well with the music, the characters, the story and the amazing shots. Action films are not the easiest to shoot, in order to get those needed scenes down to where you are not disappointing action lovers. It is like a theme park ride. You feel every bump, gut punch, crash and gun shot. If the movie helps you escape with the scenes as if you are there, it has done its job and such is the case with this Indiana Jones adventure. 

If you are an Indiana Jones fan, go see Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny as you will not be disappointed. It is edgy and different, but the same quality fans love. It starts a little slow, but it does get moving along and then you are in for the magic. It is not an intense as the other movies, but that is to be expected. Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford have aged well and grown into another life. Once you understand that aspect of the movie, you will embrace the premise and storyline. Being nervous, I was actually pleasantly surprised.