“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (2023) starring Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge & Mads Mikkelsen / Z-View
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
Director: James Mangold
Screenplay: Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, David Koepp, James Mangold based on characters created by George Lucas, Philip Kaufman
Stars: Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Karen Allen, John Rhys-Davies, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Ethann Isidore, Mads Mikkelsen and Olivier Richters.
Tagline: A legend will face his destiny.
The Plot…
The year is 1969. Man has landed on the moon. The world is a very different place than the one Indiana Jones (Ford) knew as a young man. Indy’s about to retire, but his golden years ain’t so golden. His wife, Marion (Allen), has filed for separation. She still grieves for their son who was killed in the Viet Nam war as does Indy. Things change when Jones’ goddaughter, Helena (Waller-Bridge) shows up.
Helena wants information about the Archimedes’ Dial. The Archimedes Dial is an ancient artifact that legend says can find “fissures” that allow time travel. Indy and Helena’s father stole the Dial from Nazis at the end of the war. Her father nearly went crazy trying to figure out how to use it. He finally gave it to Indy to destroy. Instead Indy had it placed in storage at the college where he taught.
Indy takes Helena to the room holding the artifact. Just then Dr. Voller (Mikkelsen), a Nazi, arrives with gunmen who attack Helena and Indy. Helena (with the Dial) and Indy escape, but are separated. Voller and his gun thugs give chase.
Voller believes that with the Dial of Destiny he can go back in time and assassinate Hitler! Voller will then lead Germany to victory and rule the world! Indy, on the run and framed for two murders, must get to Helena before Voller can track her down. Helena’s life and the future of the world count on it.
“Give ’em hell, Indiana Jones!”
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Director James Mangold was the perfect choice since Steven Spielberg decided not to return for Indy’s final outing.
The de-agging of Harrison Ford is effective. Some have nitpicked that the voice sounded older and some of his de-agged movements seem like those of an older man. Either I didn’t notice or this things didn’t bug me. I was having too much fun on Indy’s last ride.
Harrison Ford is Indiana Jones. It was great to see Karen Allen and John Rhys-Davies back. Mads Mikkelsen was an excellent choice to play the Nazi Voller. I am a huge Boyd Holbrook fan and loved that he’s in the cast. Toby Jones makes a fun partner for younger Indy. I’d love to see more of their adventures in animated tales. If ANY movie needs a huge bad guy, Olivier Richters proves here that he’s up for it. (How about getting him to go against Reacher?)
I’d put the first 25 minutes of Dial of Destiny against ANY segment in the Indiana Jones franchise.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is a nice bookend to Raiders. Kudos to all involved.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.
WOW, you loved it! Awesome Craig. This film is great and will age well. The 3rd act was just pure magic to behold. I want to watch this film again just for the opening 25 minutes and the last 20 minutes.
I believe, as you, the film will age well. My oldest son said he didn’t think he was going to watch it. I said just check out the opening 25 minutes then. ; )