EXT. INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF THE LOST DIALS SKULL – DAY Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is more closely related to its recent sequel than its distant cousins of the original trilogy. It attempts to take the franchise's formula and shake it up; it throws in cameos, call-backs and references but suffers the same issue every recent Lucasfilm movie has. It's another modern Disney reboot sequel with legacy characters left in the dirt, and a 'quirky & quippy' new character is presented to us. You know this character type when in the face of fear, they will make fun of the villain's Lactose Intolerance or something random because this character is flawlessly confident. They are knowledgeable on every subject relevant to the plot, smartasses because they are always correct, sassy when held hostage and always have an escape plan. This is Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridges), and she might be the only consistent character in the film. For the rest of the ensemble, Boyd Holbrooks Klaber speaks once in the movie and then chases after Jones in each scene; Mads Mikkelsens Jürgen Voller is the most forgettable antagonist of the franchise, Antonio Banderas is out of the film faster than he's in it and finally, Harrison Ford as Dr Jones is unfortunately back for what seems like a pretty good paycheck. I have nothing against the performances themselves. The cast is incredibly talented, but this skilled team cannot hide the terrible dialogue reinforcing the rather forgettable story. Ultimately, Indiana Jones has one of the greatest trilogies of films with a distance spin-off universe of sequels. Lucasfilm, post-2008, has not been your era. FADE OUT.

It took me a while to work up the courage to see this. I mean, Indiana Jones was my hero as a child. When I was sick I used to watch Raiders over and over again and that was a tradition I kept up through high school. And now... Thank you Doomcock, without your intervention this movie would have been even worse. It shows, the plot is messy, the re-shoots are a little obvious story-wise as Disney did their best to attempt to avoid the fan backlash promised for when their plans were to kill Indy off and have Phoebe replace him.... ... and then when when they re-shoot it again because the fans didn't want to see Indiana Jones be ridiculed constantly by his female replacement in an effort to make the KK stand-in come across as better in every way... and a lot of that is still there in the final product. Like Star Wars did to Skywalker, Indiana Jones is constantly shamed by the younger more diverse version... who can't seem to decide what character she wants to be. Rogue? Scholar? Conman? Her personality changes as the script dictates, but Indiana remains pathetic... so that Strong Female Lead can look better. In the end it's a mess, and the result is that Disney killed another fan favorite Franchise. Star Wars, Willow, and now Indy. They paid out the nose for all of them and then made them worthless. There are a lot of conspiracies floating around about it, but it don't attribute to malice what can be explained by stupidity.

A Nazi colonel is moving some looted artworks towards the end of WWII - amongst which is the legendary lance that supposedly pierced the body of Christ. Luckily - for the colonel, that is - renowned archeologist "Voller" (Mads Mikkelsen) is on hand to advise that it's a fake - but by way of compensation, he informs the man that there is a far greater artefact on board their train. The "Dial of Destiny" - designed of old by Archimedes and reputed to have the ability to facilitate time travel. Our eponymous and intrepid adventurer is also on the train, with his scholarly pal "Basil" (Toby Jones) and together they manage to secure this gadget and flee - only to find that it is but half of the device. Years go by and "Indy" (Harrison Ford) is now a soon-to-be divorced, retiring, professor who encounters the daughter of his late friend - "Helena/Wombat" (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) and soon the two are engaged as a slightly untrustworthy pairing seeking to retrieve the other half of this dial before the newly empowered "Voller" manages to manipulate the CIA into helping him to obtain it and rewrite history. Aside from the fact that the star is still very much a star, and his charisma does lots to keep this going; the film is itself a really rather unremarkable, procedural, adventure story that includes all the staple ingredients of the first three films but without the depth of the supporting characters. Mikkelsen doesn't really cut it as a baddie any more and Waller-Bridge is largely out of her depth and relies rather heavily on her teenage sidekick "Teddy" (Ethann Isidore) to be the foil for her rather obvious witticisms and slightly unscrupulous behaviour. It doesn't hang about and the visual effects are pretty standard but the writing is really quite pedestrian and the ending seemed borne more of a need to finish the film rather than complete the really pretty thin story that really does tee up a sequel! It's perfectly watchable, but is a distant cousin of the earlier iterations for this character and is also perfectly forgettable too.

"Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" delivers exactly what fans of the iconic adventurer have been yearning for—a thrilling, action-packed adventure that pays homage to the franchise's rich history while introducing new and captivating elements. Harrison Ford reprises his role as Indiana Jones with the same charm and charisma that has made him a beloved cinematic icon for decades. Ford effortlessly slips back into the fedora and whip, proving that age has only added depth to the character. His portrayal is a masterclass in blending wit, humor, and vulnerability, reminding us why Indiana Jones is an enduring hero. The supporting cast shines as well, with standout performances from newcomers and familiar faces alike. The chemistry between Ford and his co-stars is palpable, adding depth to the relationships at the core of the film. Phoebe Waller-Bridge's character, in particular, brings a refreshing and feisty dynamic to the story. The film's plot is a rollercoaster ride of suspense and intrigue. From the moment the adventure begins, it never lets up, taking us on a globe-trotting quest filled with ancient mysteries, treacherous traps, and high-stakes encounters. "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" skillfully weaves historical and mythological elements into the narrative, providing a satisfying blend of history and fantasy. The action sequences are nothing short of spectacular. The film's use of practical effects and practical stunts harks back to the franchise's roots and sets it apart from modern CGI-laden blockbusters. Each action set piece is meticulously choreographed and filled with heart-pounding moments that will leave you on the edge of your seat. John Williams' iconic score is the icing on the cake, evoking a sense of nostalgia while adding new layers to the film's atmosphere. The music enhances every scene, amplifying the emotional resonance of key moments. "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" also succeeds in exploring the character's personal journey and growth. It delves into Indy's motivations, regrets, and his enduring quest for knowledge and adventure, giving the character a deeper and more relatable dimension. In conclusion, "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" is a triumphant return to the beloved franchise. It manages to capture the essence of what makes Indiana Jones an enduring hero while introducing fresh elements to keep the series exciting and relevant. It's a must-see for fans and a thrilling adventure for newcomers, proving that the magic of Indiana Jones is as strong as ever.

Feels needless, but <em>'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'</em> still gave me suitable entertainment. I'd personally rank it higher than <em>'<a href="https://letterboxd.com/film/indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull/" rel="nofollow">Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull</a>'</em>, though to be honest I feel similarly about all five films from this franchise - evidently, given I've rated them all 7/10. I wasn't someone who grew up with this series and when I finally did watch it well over three years ago I didn't connect to them massively, so this fifth installment isn't too far adrift from the original trilogy. If this was much shorter, I may have even liked this more if I'm to be truthful. So yeah, I found the run time to be excessive. It's actually paced relatively well, I'm just not convinced the story itself needed to be told over almost two and a half hours. There is good action adventure in this and the music is done nicely, that theme even gives me goosebumps despite my lack of strong affection for the films. Cast-wise, it's positive. I'm not that much of a fan of Harrison Ford if I'm honest, don't get me wrong I have literally zero against the guy either but from this franchise and that certain other space franchise (I forget the name...) he has never stood out to me strangely. In these and those, I prefer others. Admittedly, I wanna check out his other work away from these sorta flicks. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is very good, as is Mads Mikkelsen. Ethann Isidore and Boyd Holbrook play their parts too. Overall, it's worth watching. The opening and closing sequences are my favourite bits.

Goddamn this movie is so disappointing it actually made Kingdom of the Crystal Skull look decent. It's honestly just depressing talking about how much of a disappointment this film is. Harrison Ford still rocks as Indiana Jones. But everything surrounding him just looks so fake and reeks with distracting CGI. It also probably has one of the worst examples of modern cinematography. Its too floaty, making a lot of the actual practical sets look so fake because of it. Mutt Williams also deserved better. People may not like the character or Shia's performance but man did not deserve to just get killed offscreen.