This latest adventure for Indiana Jones feels a fitting finale to the series.
Filled with plenty of chases, fights, humour and even a touch of poignancy (but thankfully no aliens this time around) this final Indiana Jones film really feels as though it brings the series full circle in a pleasing way that will delight fans.
The film begins back in World War II, in which Nazi Jürgen Voller has his hands on Archimedes’s Antikythera mechanism (which is broken into two pieces) and which can have the power to transport people back in time. Following an extensive fight scene between Jones and his friend Professor Basil Shaw (Toby Jones) and the Nazis – including a fabulous top of the train sequence, part of the Antikythera mechanism goes missing – not to be seen again.
Flashing forward the 1960’s, Voller is now aiding Nasa’s moon landing efforts but still is on the search of Antikythera while Indiana is now facing retirement alone (for reasons that come clear later on and expressed in a really lovely monologue). But Basil’s daughter Helena (Indiana’s goddaughter) now also appears with her own reasons for trying to find the dial and leads to an adventure that takes her and Indy around the globe.
Written by Jez Butterworth, John – Henry Butterworth and James Mangold (who also directs), it feels as though it has the same spirit of the first three films, plenty of humour and nostalgia to be found throughout that makes it joyous to watch (although the climax does feel a bit unbelievable – you are having too much fun to care that much). Yes, the story feels a bit drawn out and could use some tightening up, there is no doubting that this is a film that is made specifically for the fans.
But the sheer energy of the story unfolding as one plot twist comes after another is able to keep the audience thrilled with some impressive chase scenes and never knowing which part of the world the gang are going to end up in next. Mangold directs as though he was always meant to direct an Indiana Jones film – confident, assured and keeping the spirit of the earlier films in the franchise alive.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a nice addition to the cast as Helena, a con artist with a strong sense of adventure making her an ideal companion to Harrison Ford’s Indy whose dry sense of humour is even more on display in this film in contrast to the previous outings. Ford also manages to offer a different side to the character as well, showing a more sentimental side when he is asked what would he do if he could turn back time, proving once again just how well suited he is for the role – he always gives his all to this character no matter where the story takes him. Mads Mikkelsen as Voller is suitably cold and calculating, proving once again just how convincing as a villain he is.
Perhaps there are no real surprises to be found in this film, however what you do get is a fitting finale to series that brings the overall story to a nice conclusion.
By Emma Clarendon
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is available to download now.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐