It’s been 42 years since Raiders of the Lost Ark introduced audiences to a boulder-dodging, globe-trotting, bullwhip-snapping archaeologist played by Harrison Ford.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is the first Indiana Jones film not to be directed by Steven Spielberg – James Mangold is now at the helm – but despite that, this one has quite a bit of zip and fun and narrative ingenuity. Jones races against time to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history. Accompanied by his goddaughter, he soon finds himself squaring off against Jürgen Voller, a former Nazi who works for NASA.
The nostalgic rush of seeing Ford back in action helps Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny deliver a few final bits of cinematic treasure. We’re there to see Ford, with hat and whip, dazzle us with his action scenes and pure star power, and that is more valuable than an ancient treasure.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) sparkles on screen, bringing fun and exuberance as Helena, his goddaughter. The film is faithful to the original story while retaining the zest of the action-adventure serials of the first half of the 20th century that inspired the modern masterpiece of inspired, breathless fun.
Indiana Jones has always been a different kind of action hero — dynamic, smack-talking, a cool cat with a whip who’s also a serious intellectual archaeologist. Of all the movies and spin-offs of the past 42 years, the fifth and final feature starring Ford, 80, and at the peak of his powers, is the best. It serves as a nicely symmetrical bookend to his near-half-century run as an action star.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, rated PG, plays at the Patricia Theatre from August 25 to August 29 at 7 pm, with matinees on Sunday August 27 and Tuesday August 29 at 1:30 pm. Running time is two hours and 35 minutes.
Gary Shilling is executive director of qathet Film Society.
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