From Joe Peltzer

Mixing action, adventure, mystery, history, nostalgia, and heart in one big ball of fun, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny gave me exactly what I wanted from an Indiana Jones film and serves as a proper send off for the character.

In the film, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) finds himself on one last escapade, this time with his goddaughter (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), in search of a legendary item that threatens to rewrite history and return Nazis to power. Dial of Destiny is a reminder of a simpler time in cinema where you can sit back and just have good clean fun. Ford is exceptional in his return to what I consider to be his best role, bringing the one-liners and determination that have fueled the character since 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark. The character and Ford himself have aged gracefully and he definitely still has that swagger. We do get to go back and see a younger Indy thanks to deaging technology that is simply fine, but you never can shake the obvious explosion of CGI that you’re watching. On the whole, the effects in the film are top notch.

Waller-Bridge is a welcome addition to the series, her character a morally conflicted one who throws Indy a few curveballs as the film advances. Her incredible ability to deliver witty banter is only overshadowed by her surprising action skills. She and Ford carry the majority of the film as they search for the Dial, attempting to outrace Mads Mikkelsen’s Dr. Voller. Mikkelsen is, of course, the perfect villain and one with clear intentions, a staple of the series that I have always appreciated: simplicity. Under James Mangold’s direction, the cast truly shines.

Perhaps one could say that Dial of Destiny is a bit too long; there is a portion that drags on a bit too long (when Antonio Banderas shows up in the latter part of the film). Otherwise, Dial of Destiny is exactly as advertised and a perfect summer blockbuster. The story definitely takes some fantastical turns, but hello, this is Indiana Jones we are talking about. I felt giddy while watching it, like an old friend had returned. It may not be the most attractive to a newer audience, but those familiar with the franchise will be pleased. Most importantly, it corrects course from the frustratingly whacky Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is now playing in theaters.

Rating: 4/5

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