By Amanda Gilmore
Indy (Harrison Ford) is back and once again is in a race against time. This time around he’s attempting to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history. Accompanied by his goddaughter, Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) he soon finds himself squaring off against Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), a former Nazi who works for NASA.
Director James Mangold has kept intact what’s made this franchise which Steven Spielberg built and made so popular but added his own flair. For those familiar with his most recent films, such as Ford v Ferrari and Logan, you’ll see the shift. And just like in prior entries, the action sequences are fast-paced humour-induced joy rides.
The thrilling opening of Dial is set back in the ’40s during WWII. A younger Indy (Ford but using de-ageing technology) finds himself on a train full of Nazis attempting to retrieve an old relic. When he realizes it’s fake, his pal Basil Shaw (Toby Jones) discovers that the Dial of Destiny is on-board. The two set their mission to steal the dial from the Nazis and Jürgen before it gets placed in Hitler’s hands. As expected Mikkelsen is fantastic as the villain. He plays Jürgen with a sense of superiority that intrigues him. He’s truly a masterclass in acting, excelling in the many franchise villain roles he’s taken.
After that scene, we jump forward to 1969. Unlike prior entries, Dial shows us a scruffy, aged Indiana Jones. We’re introduced to this seasoned version of him in his small New York City apartment. While music blares in the background, he bangs on his neighbour’s door to keep the noise down.
This different version of the beloved hero is inspiring. Ford looks like he’s having the time of his life back in one of his most treasured characters. He does give off the grumpiness that you’d expect Indy at 80 to have. But that’s where the zealous Helena evens him out. Waller-Bridge comes in with the ambition and energy that Indy used to have. She brings out that spirit in our beloved character again. Waller-Bridge is magnetic as Helena and nearly steals the entire show.
As this is the final entry in a cherished franchise there are always going to be people who are disappointed. Disappointed they have to say goodbye and disappointed that it didn’t end the way they expected or wanted it to. There will be some who feel that way about Dial. But overall, it’s a really fun and entertaining time at the cinema while paying homage to the Films that came before it.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny screens at Cannes ’23:
Thu May 18 at 7PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE
Fri May 19 at 8:30AM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE
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