Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Review: Can we bury this fading artefact of a franchise?

The Dial of Destiny is the fifth installment in the iconic Indiana Jones series, but unfortunately, it falls short of capturing the essence of its predecessors. While director James Mangold's enthusiasm for the project is palpable, the film feels more like an homage to Indiana Jones rather than a thrilling adventure in its own right.

The return of Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones is undoubtedly a delight, even at the age of 80. He effortlessly slips back into the role, and his presence evokes nostalgia and fondness. However, despite the strong performances, the film leaves audiences questioning its purpose. The decision to continue the Indiana Jones saga with The Dial of Destiny seems unnecessary, as the series could have concluded on a high note with 2008’s highly divisive, The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. 

While it's always a joy to see Harrison Ford reprising his role as Indiana Jones, even at the age of 80, it's difficult to overlook the distracting digital de-ageing effects used on his face. Instead of immersing viewers in the story, these effects create a jarring and unnatural experience, making it hard to suspend disbelief. The result is a wax-like figure with the voice of an octogenarian, that simply doesn't feel real, detracting from the overall viewing experience.

The plot revolves around the search for the mythical 'Dial of Destiny', taking Indy and Pheobe Waller-Bridge’s Helena on another gravedigging adventure. Unfortunately, these moments lack the vibrancy and urgency that characterised earlier Indiana Jones films.

The best sequences in the film only serve as reminders of past glories rather than forging new memorable moments. The lack of vibrant urgency and the absence of truly captivating moments leave viewers wondering why this film was made in the first place.

The cast does their best with what they're given. Waller-Bridge shines as the wily sidekick, and Mads Mikkelsen and Boyd Holbrook make convincing baddies. Antonio Banderas's unexpected (but short-lived) appearance is surprisingly heartfelt.

However, their talents are squandered by the lacklustre action and a script that fails to deliver compelling moments. The film's pacing is uneven and at a running time of around 150 minutes, at times it feels exhaustingly long and a struggle to maintain interest. The writing lacks the wit and charm that characterised the earlier Indiana Jones films, leaving viewers longing for the magic that once made the series so special.

The film's major shortcomings lies in its over-reliance on endless chase scenes. Indy finds himself in one chase after another, whether it's riding horses, stealing vehicles, or navigating through narrow alleyways. While these sequences may sound exciting on paper, they quickly become repetitive and lose their impact. It fails to strike a balance between action and storytelling, resulting in a tedious cycle of predictable and uninspired sequences that fail to generate genuine excitement.

The visual humour and moments of true wonder that Spielberg brought to the series are absent, and Mangold's direction unfortunately, lacks the same finesse. Mangold brings his giddy enthusiasm to the screen, but it feels like he's trying to fill some big shoes left by Steven Spielberg. And let's face it, those shoes are pretty hard to fill. The result is an unnecessary addendum to the Jones saga that tries to recapture the past glories but falls short. 

While Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is not a complete disaster, it's far from being a worthy addition to the franchise. The overlong chase for the mystical object leaves everything feeling a bit dusty and the reliance on nostalgia and the absence of genuine thrills make it difficult to view this film as anything more than a missed opportunity. 

Even the rousing end credits, accompanied by John Williams' iconic score, cannot salvage the overall disappointment. It's time for Indiana Jones to retire gracefully and let the legacy of the series remain untarnished. If you're a die-hard Indiana Jones fan, you might find some comfort in seeing Ford back in action. But if you're looking for a true Indy adventure, it's best to revisit the earlier films and leave this artefact of a movie behind.

We're going with 2 out of 5 stars for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny