#MovieReview: Indiana Jones’ last dance in Dial of Destiny [WATCH]

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny cannot avoid feeling like an echo of greater films, but parts of it are classic franchise fun.

It was always going to be a difficult task to put a capstone on one of cinema’s greatest series, particularly with an 80-year-old star and new director.

Harrison Ford is engaged in the lead role throughout but is certainly not a rakishly handsome and gruffly agile archaeology professor anymore and though very accomplished, director James Mangold is no Steven Spielberg.

Similarly, the big bad in Dial of Destiny, Jürgen Voller, sees Mads Mikkelsen echoing his own great villain turn as Le Chiffre in Casino Royale.

Which is all to say that aside from the addition of Phoebe Waller-Bridge as new character Helena Shaw, there is very little fresh in Indiana Jones’ fifth big screen outing.

But even though it often plays as a highlight reel of the franchise’s high points, the quality of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade are such that the formula works despite itself.

And if you have a prior relationship with Indiana Jones on screen, there are enough call-backs and cameos to satiate your longing for 80s action cinema.

Mild spoilers to follow

Indy is drawn back into a life of globetrotting treasure hunting when Helena, the daughter of former friend Basil Shaw (Toby Jones), arrives on his New York doorstep.

She plays naïve, but is looking for information on Archimedes’ Dial of Destiny, an artifact once in the possession of Jones that is said to be able to manipulate time itself.

Of course the draw of such power has more than one party on the hunt, including Voller’s mercenary army and the CIA.

The groups are one step behind each other throughout, rendezvousing for chase after chase in New York, Tangier and Greece, where Archimedes’ tomb is uncovered.

A third act twist – not worth ruining here – certainly swings for the fences and you will have to decide on its success for yourself.

Dial of Destiny is not among the best three films in the series but pays enough fanservice to be enjoyable for those who have been long-time followers of Indiana Jones.

Do not expect the flair for set-piece vibrancy that Spielberg brings, but come prepared to be choked up when you realise Ford has likely donned the iconic fedora for the last time.

And if nothing else, it will put you in the mood to rewatch the series from the beginning – and that is never a bad option for a lazy weekend.

Rated PG-13 for Language and Violence.
3/5.

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