Review – Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) directed by James Mangold.
Watched on July 14th, 2023
Rating: 3/5 Stars
After about a week of a marathon, I was super excited for this. And despite hearing mixed reviews, I did go into this wanting to enjoy it. And I did! Overall, I had a good time with it, but there were just a few things I didn't love.
I think they did the best they could given the fact that Harrison Ford is an 80-year-old man. He's still got the spirit even if he's not as agile. However, at least for the first half of the movie, action seemed to rely a lot on chases, and it seemed like there were like 5 or 6 car chases (maybe more lol) that got just a bit repetitive and boring after a while. It wasn't until they started exploring the cave that I thought "now this is where the good stuff begins," which is like an hour and a half into the film.
Also, I thought that the use of the moon landing was a fantastic historical event to tie this movie to. I think it's a great metaphor for Indy's old age because he's an archaeologist; he's spent his entire life dedicated towards exploring and unearthing the secrets and stories of history. But now, the world is more interested in exploring the stars. It's a new era that's slowly leaving him behind, and that juxtaposition between not only his aging but his whole mindset and attitude towards the world was super compelling I felt. If there was any historical event to tie this movie to, they sure did pick a great one. However, I wish there was just a bit more exploring this. It was mostly just used as a way to landmark this movie in time rather than the more symbolic meaning I'm gleaning from this, but I still thought it was neat.
Also, I feel like all Spielberg movies, the kids of those film just have this essence to them. They're a Spielberg kid. I think they wanted that with the kid in this film and it just didn't work in my opinion. Nothing against the actor, he did a great job, but I just wasn't super attached to the character.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge was really great. Definitely gonna be checking out Fleabag ASAP. I liked that Sallah came back but I really wish he was used for more than just a heartwarming cameo, bro deserves better. Also same with Marion. It was interesting watching this immediately after a Crystal Skull rewatch; that movie ends with them coming back together and getting married, and then we hop into this where they split again and come back together again. Felt repetitive, though that callback to the romantic scene from Raiders was nice.
The climax of the dial was so metal. I thought that scene was unbelievably thrilling and interesting. Though I do wish that the film inhabited that scene a bit longer. If a whole sequence or even act of the movie was them being in Syracuse, it would've been wildly entertaining and interesting, much more than 5-6 car chases. Instead, that great scene was pretty short lived, they were kinda in-and-out of there. Also, the more I think about it, the more emotional and meaningful it would've been had Indy actually been able to stay. Bringing Marion back for that felt like a cop out, and I feel like Indy should've been way more mad about that. Even though my gut in that moment was like "no way they're not actually gonna do this and leave him here are they??", it's that kind of feeling that would've made this unexpected and a good twist, and meaningful end for his story.
Also, sad there was no Paramount mountain match cut to open the film :/ Disney owns it now and I guess they couldn’t swing it even for tradition. Bummer.
There's probably more scattered thoughts but yeah. Overall, I had a good time and loved seeing an Indiana Jones movie in theaters. And I've just loved seeing how excited Harrison Ford is about this movie. Typically I've seen so many interviews with him for other movies where he seems so low energy and uninteresting, but so much of the press run for The Dial of Destiny has Harrison Ford so energetic and passionate about this movie and its character. I'm happy that he's so happy about giving Indy this conclusion, that warms my heart a lot.
Check out the original review posted on Letterboxd here.
