High Mileage!!!! Final Indiana Jones Film is An Action Packed Sendoff!!!!

Review By Brandon Porter

One last ride for Henry Jones, Jr

Story Description

The life of Henry Jones Jr (Harrison Ford) has definitely been an interesting one. Part distinguished professor, part explorer/grave robber/treasure hunter, Jones’ exploits have earned him his fair share of enemies and allies. Now on the cusp of retirement, Jones is pulled back into the madness thanks to an artifact from one of his earlier days. Known as the Dial of Destiny, this device is rumored to have the power to send the user back in time. A device like that can attract a lot of attention from multiple interested parties both good and bad. Now in an intense race against time, Jones must team up with his goddaughter Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) to find the dial before a shamed Nazi scientist (Mads Mikkelsen) gets it and changes the course of history. One final defining adventure awaits the world’s greatest explorer as the future of the known world hangs in the balance.

Indiana and Helena on The Trail for The Dial

Film Review

Billed as Harrison Ford’s final outing as one of Hollywood’s most beloved action icons, Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny is the definitive last chapter in the character’s storied saga. James Mangold and his team have a tall task in delivering a worthy conclusion to Ford’s iconic run as Indy in one of the summer’s most anticipated films. After going on one last escapade with Jones, Dial of Destiny is a fast and fun sendoff for Ford's iconic character. The Indiana Jones franchise is among the most beloved in cinema. For me, it is the quintessential action-adventure series. Everything about screams discovery, mystery, intrigue, and mischief. Harrison Ford's dedication to the role has a lot to do with it too. The 5th entry in the series closes the story of Henry Jones Jr in an action-packed summer romp that is entertaining throughout. Performance-wise, Harrison Ford is fantastic as Jones in one of his most emotionally earnest performances as the character. Ford's love for this role is well known and it shows in every frame of the film. Jones has been through so much in his life and the weight of all of it is shown in some very emotionally moving scenes. Ford gives Indy some real vulnerability in this entry and wraps up his story well. Phoebe Waller-Bridge delivers as Helena Shaw. What is so great about her character is that she is cunningly captivating and unpredictable. She is hard to read and you never know what side she's on until everything comes full circle. Her chemistry with Ford makes for some incredibly fun banter and their tandem is a real highlight of the film. Mads Mikkelsen's Voller is one of the more sympathetic antagonists in the franchise. Despite the fact that he is affiliated with the Nazis, I did understand his desire to want to correct the mistakes of his people especially when no one took him or his work seriously. Mikkelsen's performance added some depth to the character that wasn't really present with other villains of the franchise. Boyd Holbrook and Ethann Isidore both get full marks for their contributions to the story with Isidore being a particularly great standout when placed alongside Ford and Waller-Bridge.

Talk about Deja Vu

In regards to the rest of Dial of Destiny, there are elements that work in and against this film. From an action standpoint, Mangold has a knack for fast-paced action that keeps the audience engaged throughout. The Morocco chase sequence and the film's final action set piece are strong highlights that have both tension and stakes. That said, for all of the film's action, the pace does tend to drag a bit in some parts. This is the longest entry in the series and at times it really feels like it. It doesn't happen often but it happens enough for it to be a small deterrent. Additionally, the film had a bold opportunity to end Indy's story in a way that no one would see coming. The ending they went with is good and makes sense thematically. But one has to wonder how the film would have benefitted from something that would have been an out-of-left-field end to this character's story. Regardless, I'm content with the conclusion despite still pondering the what-if scenario. In a nutshell, Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny is an action-packed and solid swan song for Ford's iconic character. An icon through and through, those who have had their love for the movies defined by Ford and his fedora-wearing, bullwhip adventurer got an adventure that is worth the time from beginning to end.

Rating and Final Thoughts