What do you get when you put together a cast that includes Harrison Ford, an accomplished British television actress and a world renowned stage actor? Phoebe-Waller-Bridge and Basil Shaw with the movie icon, should be a thoroughly gripping and entertaining film. The fifth entry in the Indiana Jones film series; Dial of Destiny misses the mark. Even Mads Mikkelsen, as the Nazi, Dr. Voller, can’t keep the movie going, despite his main roles being villains.
The story takes place in 1969, right after the moon landing. It doesn’t have the Indy everyone loves. It is the image of an old tired archaeology professor, who’s lost everything he loves. His son was killed in Vietnam, and his wife Marion, (Karen Allen), has filed for divorce. He is even being retired as a professor. Just as you think everything couldn’t get worse, along comes his old adversary, Dr. Voller. He is seeking something that Jones caused him to lose in the war. That was the dial of destiny. He will go to any means to find it.
There is also someone else who will try to retrieve the valuable object by any means, Jones goddaughter, Helena, (Phoebe-Waller-Bridge). She seeks to sell it to the highest bidder. Indiana Jones and Helena reluctantly team up. She tries everything to double cross the old but wise archaeologist. She begins to realize after frustration and working with her godfather, that Voller must be stopped.
One of the best things about this movie is the reappearance of a popular character, Sallah. John-Rhys-Davis is good in his role. He brings needed humor to this movie. Sallah owes Indy a debt. He brought his family to America during the war. He of course pays it in full. When Sallah has appeared in the movies, Jones character gets out of sticky situations. It is too bad that this film couldn’t be as good as Sallah’s other appearances.
The Dial of Destiny does have the expected action sequences. The most interesting being Jones interrupting the Apollo 11 astronauts parade in NYC, by riding a horse. The horse and Jones end up in the subway. There is also the flashback sequence at the beginning. Indy ends up on top of a train fighting for his life to take the dial of destiny from Dr. Voller.
It would be nice if the action sequences could make the viewers forget the weak storyline. It doesn’t. One of the writers, David Koepp, wrote the screenplay for Jurassic Park, and other very successful movies. There isn’t quite the edge of your seat excitement or interesting characters. The dial of destiny also comes with that old and sometimes tired element; time travel. It might also be the change of directors, that gives the audience a let down. Steven Spielberg declined to direct this movie. He passed on this tremendous responsibility to James Mangold. The director has helmed action movies, but it isn’t that apparent in this one. He is working with Phoebe-Waller-Bridge and Toby Jones. They are two accomplished actors, but they don’t quite fit in their roles. There are more than a few directors who could pull off this movie. James Mangold didn’t but could have, perhaps by having the script rewritten.
Although the flashback sequences work, a question remains. Is it necessary to use CGI to make Harrison Ford younger. It may cost more, but just use a younger actor. Brad Pitt and Leonardo Decaprio come to mind. There is also the question of a sidekick. Toby Jones played by Basil Shaw doesn’t quite work. It’s as if Indiana Jones picked up Oliver Hardy in between jobs. This again goes back to the script and research. The comic relief of Shortround and sometimes Marion Ravenwood helped the movies.
Harrison Ford does his best, reviving his role. It is a little disappointing to watch an old almost broken down Indy. Ford does manage. The best that can be said of the movie is the trilogy should be cherished. You can’t improve on those movies. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas famous archaeologist/adventurer, should be left to the memory of film fans. Hollywood should learn from this film, but probably not.