Review: Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford receive fitting farewell in 'Dial of Destiny'

After the recent screening of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” I heard one person say: “It was great until it jumped the shark with [spoiler].”

The initial reaction from this corner: “Uhhhhh … it’s an INDIANA JONES movie.” Jumping the shark is kind of the series’ thing.

All of the Indy films have possessed supernatural and fantastical elements. “Dial of Destiny” is no different and, I suspect, will take its share of lumps across the cinematic spectrum. Coming from someone such as myself who found the charms in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” after a recent re-watch, “Dial of Destiny” won’t be the worst in the series (Looking at you “Temple of Doom”) and it won’t be the best (“Raiders of the Lost Ark,” for those who think that needs to be written) and, yes, it’s absolutely without a doubt a piece of fan service.

When done right, I don’t have much of a problem with that. And for most of its runtime, James Mangold (“Logan”), directing from a script he co-wrote with Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth and David Koepp, gives those of us who discovered Indy (Harrison Ford) four decades ago a heaping dose of nostalgia along with proper closure for the character.

Thanks to technology, fans are given Indy in his prime (courtesy of digital de-aging) and an Indy wrestling with his own usefulness and mortality.

Jones is retiring when his goddaughter Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) arrives at his office seeking an artifact that Jones and her father, Basil (Toby Jones), discovered and hid because of the danger it could have to humanity.

The dial of Archimedes possessed the ability to bend time, according to legend, and Helena views it as part of her legacy.

But despite being raised around two of the most pre-eminent archaeologists of their time in her father and godfather, she’s grown up to be nothing like them, preferring to profit from any artifacts that she finds that can be sold to the highest bidder.

It makes for an interesting dynamic given that Jones’ personal edict is “that belongs in a museum.”

It’s but one element that Mangold gets correct in this romp. It’s clear he understands the character and the essence of the series. The stunts impress and the story engages – mostly.

That qualifier comes in courtesy of a second act that bogs the narrative down before recovering to provide a satisfying adventure that includes a race against Nazis (Nazis in an Indiana Jones flick, who would have thought) for the mythical dial.

Those involved in the proceedings gleefully provide a proper farewell to an iconic cinematic character in Indiana Jones.

Mads Mikkelsen as chief Nazi antagonist proves suitably sinister, and Waller-Bridge’s attitude and charisma are used to great advantage here. What’s most enjoyable about her character: Mangold resists the urge to soften her in any way. She can hang with the boys in deed and attitude.

But this is about Indiana Jones, who may be Ford’s most fully realized character, and the fact that he’s given a reasonably proper send off brings a tear for those of us who’ve been along for the entire 43-year journey.

Does it jump the shark? Yeah, well maybe. Just like the series did with the Ark of the Covenant, the Holy Grail and interdimensional beings.

It would be easy to be cynical when it comes to “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” but like its predecessors there’s too much fun to be had by suspending disbelief.

George M. Thomas dabbles in movies and television for the Beacon Journal.

Review

Movie: “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”

Cast: Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, Toby Jones

Directed by: James Mangold

Running time: 2 hours, 34 minutes

Rated: PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, language and smoking

Grade: B

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Review: 'Indiana Jones' is Harrison Ford's fitting farewell to role