Dial of Destiny (2023)

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Indy Reviews

As an 'Indiana Jones' fan, the two most significant considerations I had going into 'Dial of Destiny' the first time around were between preparing myself to see some time travel (which felt just about as out of place for Indy as Aliens did) and being frank; I didn't think it could be worse than 'Crystal Skull.' Still, my expectations were low, and I figured, at the very least, I could have fun with it as long as I didn't take it too seriously. To my surprise, however, I met this with a more positive attitude than expected.

Most fans I've spoken to about this chapter of the 'Indy' series have as many negative things to say about it as they did for 'Crystal Skull.' But speaking for myself, I'd call 'Dial' better. That may not shock any readers, but what will is that I find this on par with, if not better than, 'Temple of Doom.' Unpopular opinion, maybe, but at least this didn't have a screaming damsel in distress the whole way through it so much as a strong female supporting character played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Plot-wise, we open in 1944, when Nazis are in search of another ancient artifact of Christian symbolism in the French Alps. There, the Nazis capture Indy (Harrison Ford) and his accomplice, Basil Shaw (Toby Jones), while they attempt to intercept the relic from them. It all leads to some true Indiana Jones-style action adventure involving a lengthy chase on a train, which eventually leads to Indy getting his hands on this movie's central artifact: half of Archimedes' Dial, aka the "Antikythera," a device that supposedly finds fissures in time, allowing for possible time travel.

We then fast-forward to 1969, when an elderly Indy lives a lonely life in New York City. He has since separated from Marion (Karen Allen) for reasons involving their son, Mutt (Shia LaBeouf from 'Crystal Skull'), which are eventually explained. One day, while teaching, he runs into his goddaughter, Helena Shaw (Waller-Bridge), Basil's daughter. She comes to study the dial, which Indy has in his possession after being given it by Basil, promising to destroy it, which he never does. Her plan is to sell the thing on the black market to help support herself and her own Short Round character, Teddy (Ethann Isidore).

Of course, Indy won't have any of that because something like this "belongs in a museum!" Before the trio (including Teddy) know it, however, they come face to face with Indy's old kidnapper, the Nazi Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), who looks way too young. Anyway, this guy now works for NASA under the guise of "Dr. Schmidt" and is also after the dial. The whole thing ends up being a classic 'Indiana Jones' execution as it involves Indy (and company) keeping evil from getting its hands on something with great power. Along the way, we learn a thing or two, have some fun, and embrace a bit of true adventure.

The film isn't even close to being on par with 'Raiders' (which can be considered "classic" Indy) or 'Crusade' (which I consider "perfect" Indy). But I might place it slightly above 'Temple,' which is "classic" Indy in its unique way to many, and I'm not here to undermine that. But the lead female character is much better here, and that's just enough for me to like 'Dial' better overall, even though 'Temple' still has that twisted nostalgic tie to it. It's almost a coin flip for me. Both films top 'Crystal Skull,' but neither comes close to 'Raiders' or 'Last Crusade.'


I also appreciate some fan service here, as I didn't feel it went overboard. It was remarkable that you get a lot of that "classic" Indy through a lot of the movie. The chase scenes are fun, the dialogue is pretty humorous, and it's not a bad way for Indiana Jones to part ways with us once and for all (or so it is said), potentially passing the torch to Helena, who quite honestly would work well as a female replacement for Indy once he hangs up his hat. I can't say I came out of it altogether "impressed," but this is a satisfying step up from 'Crystal Skull.'

3/5

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