Indiana Jones is out to retrieve another ancient artifact. In this chapter, it’s Archimedes’ Dial, a legendary compass that might have the ability to affect time. But it’s split in two, so both parts must be joined for that to happen. Indy is joined by his quick-witted goddaughter Helena Shaw in a spirited turn by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (TV series Fleabag). However, she wants to sell the device at a black market auction. Helena seems more like an antagonist than an ally. Regardless, they’ll both face off against an even more significant threat, the evil Doctor Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), a former Nazi now a mathematician who works for NASA.
This is the fifth and supposedly last entry in the series. Harrison Ford is pushing 80 here, so it looks to be his last, anyway. However, they did de-age him for the opening prologue set in 1944 Germany during World War II. I was a little worried when I heard Ford would be digitally youth-anized. Luckily the technology is applied sparingly, and the optics are pretty good. We’ve progressed considerably since Jeff Bridges’ uncanny rendering in Tron Legacy (2010). Consider me impressed, But more importantly, fighting Nazis aboard a speeding train is always a lot of fun.
We come to see Indiana Jones in fantastic chases and exploits. Let’s face it. These films are just a succession of action scenes loosely connected by a saga to acquire some historic relic. The narrative delivers one thrill after another. That’s the whole point. In the present day, the year is 1969. A New York City ticker tape parade welcomes the Apollo 11 astronauts. The crowds of people engulfed in confetti surrounded by skyscrapers is an impressive spectacle. There are many of those to enjoy. Soon after, Indy escapes on a horse and rides it into the subway. That is a bizarre development, but it’s nothing compared to the climax featuring a memorable plane flight into the clouds.
Many people and events in this installment gently recall things in previous episodes. For example, Helena’s sidekick is a young pickpocket and skilled driver named Teddy Kumar (Ethann Isidore). He’s reminiscent of Short Round. The ensuing tuk-tuk chase through the streets of Tangier recalls the mine car chase. Later Indy meets his captain friend Renaldo (Antonio Banderas), and they go scuba diving to locate a tablet in the Aegean Sea. Down in the depths, they confront a swarm of eels. They’re essentially snakes in the water. This is nostalgia, but it’s well done, so I was okay with the inspiration.
Indy has always been one of the more vulnerable action heroes. I mean, he famously admitted he’s afraid of snakes, but this film also acknowledges that he’s much older now. He must come to terms with past regrets regarding certain loved ones. Director James Mangold (Logan, Ford v Ferrari), who co-wrote the screenplay with Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, and David Koepp, offers a thrilling story. Yet he also finds time to add some emotional heft. A poignant coda had me bursting with emotion. I appreciated that. Sure, at 2 hours 34 minutes, it’s far too long. So is every prospective blockbuster these days. This is crowd-pleasing entertainment — summer movie watching at its best. I loved it.
06-29-23
6 Responses
I loved it! It was everything you’d expect from an aging hero, nothing too far fetched for an 80 year old, ok maybe a few things. But it was all fun. Like you said, lots of excitement and a little emotion too. No annoying rap songs or even foul language. Job well done. 4 ⭐️
80 year old Harrison Ford still seemed believable in the part. I was on board for another episode. Lots of fun!
I loved it too. It delivered beyond my expectations!
Action packed and emotional story. It delivered the summer blockbuster I wanted! 😃
Nice to read a review that isn’t yet again making the James Mangold-isn’t-Spielberg point — I feel like that has gotten a bit overblown. This is kind of what I wanted to read but when so many people seemed down on it I have put it on the backburner. I do believe this is also the final score of John Williams, if I read that right. Makes this even more of an event
Surely not better than episodes 1 & 3 but a great movie nonetheless. I don’t understand the hate. I suspect years from now people will embrace it.